Without a dowry / Бесприданница. Книга для чтения на английском языке

He has no heart, that’s why he’s so bold.

Larisa. No, he has a heart too. I saw myself how he helped the poor, how he gave away all the money he had on him.

Karandyshov. So, let’s grant that Paratov has some virtues, at least in your eyes, but what about this petty merchant, this Vasya of yours?

Larisa. You’re not being jealous, are you? No, you stop all this nonsense. It’s degrading, and I won’t tolerate it, I’m telling you in advance. Don’t worry, I’m not in love with anybody, and I won’t fall in love with anybody.

Karandyshov. But what if Paratov should show up?

Larisa. Of course, if Paratov should show up and were free, then it would take only one look from him… But you can set your mind at ease, he hasn’t showed up, and even if he should show up now, it’s already too late. We’ll probably never see each other again.

A cannon shot on the Volga.

What’s that?

Karandyshov. Some high and mighty merchant is coming in, so they’re firing a salute in his honor.

Larisa. Oh, how it frightened me!

Karandyshov. Why, why should it?

Larisa. My nerves are upset. Just now I was looking down from this bench, and I began to get dizzy. Could one hurt oneself here very much?

Karandyshov. Hurt oneself! Here it’s sure death, it’s paved with stone below. And it’s so high here you’d die before you hit the bottom.

Larisa. Let’s go home, it’s time.

Karandyshov. I have to go too, I have that dinner, you know.

Larisa (going to the railing).

Karandyshov (takes Larisa by the arm). Come on, you’re just being childish!

They leave. Gavrilo and Ivan enter from the coffee house.

Ivan. The cannon! The gentleman’s come, the gentleman’s come, Sergey Sergeyich.

Gavrilo. I told you it was him. I know-you can tell a falcon by its flight.

Ivan. The carriage is coming uphill empty. That means the gentlemen are coming on foot. There they are! (He runs off into the coffee house.

Gavrilo. Welcome to them. I wish I could figure out what to treat them with.

Paratov enters. He is wearing a single-breasted, close-fitting, black frock coat, varnished high boots, a white service cap; across his shoulder is a traveling bag. With him are Robinson (wearing a cloak, the right flap of which is thrown over his left shoulder, and a tall soft hat perched on one side of his head), Knurov, and Vozhevatov.