yes_] I'll tell you what,
Tanya! My heart tells me that I have never loved any one as I do you. It's
all the same whether you believe me or not. But I will prove that it is the
truth, and you yourself will agree with me. Why, I don't tell you that I've
never seen women more beautiful than you, or cleverer. Then you might tell
me to my face that I lied. No, I have seen more beautiful women than you,
and cleverer; but I have never seen such a darling, charming, artless
little woman as you.

TATYANA. [Sighing] Artless--Ah, you speak the truth.

BABAYEV. Well, I've told you what I feel. Why don't you tell me?

TATYANA. What should I say? I don't know how. I might say more than you.
But why say anything--you know yourself.

BABAYEV. That is, possibly, I guess, but----

TATYANA. Why "but"? There's nothing to be said!

BABAYEV. Yes, there is. I guess the secret but I get no good from it.
[_Pause_] Tell me yourself that you love me! Well, how about it, Tanya?

TATYANA. What do you want?

BABAYEV. Do you love me? [_Pause_] Do you love me?

TATYANA. [_Dropping her eyes_] Well, yes.

BABAYEV. Very much? [_Pause_] Why are you silent? Do you love me very much?

TATYANA. Yes.

BABAYEV. Will you go to the village with me?

TATYANA. Ah, stop urging me!

BABAYEV. Well, you needn't go to the village then. I know what we'll do:
I'll rent a lodging here in the city, and will come here every other week.
Do you agree to that?

TATYANA. Yes.

BABAYEV. Now you see, my darling Tanechka, I'm ready to do anything for
you.

TATYANA. I see.

BABAYEV. And you? [_Pause_] Why are you silent?

TATYANA. But our compact?

BABAYEV. What compact?

TATYANA. Yesterday's. You remember, on the bank.

BABAYEV. What's there to remember? There wasn't any compact.

TATYANA. Shameless, you're shameless! Can you forget so soon!

BABAYEV. I don't want to know of any compacts. [_Embraces and kisses her_.

TATYANA. [_Rising_] Oh! Stop, please!

BABAYEV. Why "stop"? What do you mean by "stop"?

TATYANA. I mean, stop.

BABAYEV. What whims!

TATYANA. No whims at all, only please move a little further off.

BABAYEV. If you're going to be so whimsical, then I'll go away. I'll drop
the business for which I came and will go away immediately.

TATYANA. Very well, go.

BABAYEV. I'm not joking. Karp! [KARP _comes in_] Pack up and then go order
horses.

KARP. Yes, sir.

TATYANA. So that's the way? Well, good luck to you! Good-by! [_Run