Page:Plays by Antov Tchekoff (Scribner's, 1912).djvu/44

ACT I. That doctor has a sensitive, weary face—an interesting face. Sonia evidently likes him, and she is in love with him, and I can understand it. This is the third time he has been here since I have come, and I have not had a real talk with him yet or made much of him. He thinks I am disagreeable. Do you know, Ivan, the reason you and I are such friends? I think it is because we are both lonely and unfortunate. Yes, unfortunate. Don’t look at me in that way, I don’t like it.

. How_can_I look at_you-otherwise when I love you? You are my joy, my life, and my youth. I know that my chances of being loved in return are infinitely small, do not exist, but I ask nothing of you. Only let me look at you, listen to your voice——

. Hush, some one will overhear you.

[They go toward the house.

. [Following her] Let me speak to you of my love, do not drive me away, and this alone will be my greatest happiness!

. Ah! This is agony!