ng to circumstances I'm
forced to remain at least four days, and maybe more. What am I going to do?
I'm very much pleased that you have called on me. If it hadn't been for you
I don't know what I should have done with myself. Now, just imagine,
if your sister weren't married, we'd spend these four days so that we
shouldn't know how the time was passing. [_Takes her by the hand_] Isn't
that true?

LUKERYA. Who's keeping you from that now?

BABAYEV. Well, you see it's awkward; being married, what will her husband
think? It's really provoking.

LUKERYA. You don't mean it! It seems to me that you used to have different
opinions on such things. You weren't so anxious to know what pleased the
husbands and what didn't.

BABAYEV. Yes, but that was in an entirely different social circle. There
manners are much more free.

LUKERYA. How do you know whether my sister has freedom or hasn't?

BABAYEV. [_Taking both her hands_] At all events, I'm so glad, so thankful
to you for furnishing me with diversion when I was bored. Don't you want
something? Be good enough to make yourself at home; everything is at your
service. Will you have some tea?

LUKERYA. Thank you, I've just had tea. But I must hurry home now. I have to
attend to some matters with sister. Shall I extend her your greetings?

BABAYEV. Please be so kind.

LUKERYA. [_Going to the door_] Why don't you invite sister and me to call
on you?

BABAYEV. I should be so happy to have you, only I really don't know how to
arrange it. I should like very much to see Tatyana Danilovna.

LUKERYA. If you wish to see her, then where's the obstacle? She isn't a
princess imprisoned behind ten locks. You'll go for a walk, no doubt, as
you can't remain in your room?

BABAYEV. I should like to go, but I hardly know in what direction.

LUKERYA. You needn't go far. Stroll out of the rear gate to the river-bank,
sit down on the bench and enjoy the beauty of nature. It's a quiet,
secluded place; few people ever go there. It's a most delightful walk for
sentimental young people. Sister and I will go that way, and there you may
be able to see her. Good day! [_She goes out._

BABAYEV. What a surprise! Could I have expected such good fortune? Little
Tanya, little Tanya! I shall see her again! I'll go mad with joy. She was
so charming, so delicate. Some people said that she didn't have much sense,
but is that a fault in a woman? And then her beauty, her beauty! It's
likely that instead