Page:Plays by Anton Tchekoff (1916).djvu/225

ACT IV

the garden] I heard some one run down the steps. [He calls] Who is there? [''He goes out, and is heard walking quickly along the terrace. In a few minutes he comes back with'' ] Oh, Nina, Nina!

lays her head on breast and stifles her sobs.

. [Deeply moved] Nina, Nina! It is you—you! I felt you would come; all day my heart has been aching for you. [He takes off her hat and cloak] My darling, my beloved has come back to me! We mustn’t cry, we mustn’t cry.

. There is some one here.

. No one is here.

. Lock the door, some one might come.

. No one will come in.

. I know your mother is here. Lock the door.

locks the door on the right and comes back to.

. There is no lock on that one. I shall put a chair against it. [He puts an arm-chair against the door] Don’t be frightened, no one shall come in.

. [Gazing intently into his face] Let me look at you. [She looks about her] It is warm and comfortable in here. This used to be a sitting-room. Have I changed much?

. Yes, you have grown thinner, and your eyes are larger than they were. Nina, it seems so strange to see you! Why didn’t you let me go to you? Why didn’t you come sooner to me? You have been here nearly a week, I know. I have been several times each day to where you live, and have stood like a beggar beneath your window.

. I was afraid you might hate me. I dream every night that you look at me without recognising me. I have been wandering about on the shores of the lake ever since