s bestowing upon us?
He is asking for our daughter's hand.

GOVERNOR. What are you talking about? Mother has lost her wits. Please
do not be angry, your Excellency. She has a touch of insanity. Her
mother was like that, too.

KHLESTAKOV. Yes, I am really asking for your daughter's hand. I am in
love with her.

GOVERNOR. I cannot believe it, your Excellency.

ANNA. But when you are told!

KHLESTAKOV. I am not joking. I could go crazy, I am so in love.

GOVERNOR. I daren't believe it. I am unworthy of such an honor.

KHLESTAKOV. If you don't consent to give me your daughter Marya
Antonovna's hand, then I am ready to do the devil knows what.

GOVERNOR. I cannot believe it. You deign to joke, your Excellency.

ANNA. My, what a blockhead! Really! When you are told over and over
again!

GOVERNOR. I can't believe it.

KHLESTAKOV. Give her to me, give her to me! I am a desperate man and
I may do anything. If I shoot myself, you will have a law-suit on your
hands.

GOVERNOR. Oh, my God! I am not guilty either in thought or in action.
Please do not be angry. Be pleased to act as your mercy wills. Really,
my head is in such a state I don't know what is happening. I have turned
into a worse fool than I've ever been in my life.

ANNA. Well, give your blessing.

Khlestakov goes up to Marya Antonovna.

GOVERNOR. May God bless you, but I am not guilty. [Khlestakov kisses
Marya. The Governor looks at them.] What the devil! It's really so.
[Rubs his eyes.] They are kissing. Oh, heavens! They are kissing.
Actually to be our son-in-law! [Cries out, jumping with glee.] Ho,
Anton! Ho, Anton! Ho, Governor! So that's the turn events have taken!

SCENE XVI

The same and Osip.

OSIP. The horses are ready.

KHLESTAKOV. Oh! All right. I'll come presently.

GOVERNOR. What's that? Are you leaving?

KHLESTAKOV. Yes, I'm going.

GOVERNOR. Then when--that is--I thought you were pleased to hint at a
wedding.

KHLESTAKOV. Oh--for one minute only--for one day--to my uncle, a rich
old man. I'll be back tomorrow.

GOVERNOR. We would not venture, of course, to hold you back, and we hope
for your safe return.

KHLESTAKOV. Of course, of course, I'll come back at once. Good-by, my
dear--no, I simply can't express my feelings. Good-by, my heart. [Kisses
Marya's hand.]

GOVERNOR. Don't you need something for the road? It seems to me you were
pleased to be short of cash.

KHLESTAKOV, Oh, no, what for? [After a little tho