. I really don't know--very likely.

TATYANA. No, don't fail to come! [_Pause_] Well, how shall I invite you?
[_Takes_ BABAYEV _by the hand_] Well, my darling! Well, my precious!

BABAYEV. It seems to me that you have changed, Tatyana Danilovna.

TATYANA. I, changed! Honestly I haven't. Not a bit. Why are you so cruel to
me?

BABAYEV. Do you remember Zavetnoye, Tatyana Danilovna?

TATYANA. Why? I remember it all.

BABAYEV. Do you remember the garden? Do you remember the linden walk? Do
you remember how, after supper, while mother slept, we used to sit on the
terrace? Do you recall the narrow ribbon?

TATYANA. [_In a low voice_] Which one?

BABAYEV. With which you tied my hands.

TATYANA. [_Embarrassed_] Well, what of that? Yes, I remember absolutely
everything.

BABAYEV. Just that you, my precious, are now entirely different; you have
met me so coldly.

TATYANA. Ah, Valentin Pavlich! Then I was a girl and could love any one I
wished; now I am married. Just think!

BABAYEV. Why, certainly. Yet I can't imagine you belonging to any one else.
Do what you will, I can hardly control my desire to call you Tanya, as I
used to.

TATYANA. Why control yourself? Call me Tanya.

BABAYEV. But what's the use, my dear! You don't love me any more!

TATYANA. Who told you that? I love you as much, even more than before.

BABAYEV. [_Bending towards her_] Is it possible, Tanechka, that that is the
truth?

TATYANA. [_Kissing him_] Well, here's my evidence! _Now_ do you believe?
But, darling Valentin Pavlich, if you don't wish me unhappiness for the
rest of my life, we must love one another as we are doing now; but you
mustn't think of more than that. Otherwise, good-by to you--away from
temptation!

BABAYEV. Set your mind at rest, darling, about that.

TATYANA. No, you swear to me! Swear, so that I may not fear you.

BABAYEV. How foolish you are!

TATYANA. Yes, I am foolish, certainly. If I should listen to the opinions
of older people, then I am committing a great wrong. According to the old
law, I must love no one other than my husband. But since I can't love
him--and loved you before my marriage, and can't change my heart, so
I--only God preserve you from--and I won't in any respect--because I wish
to live right.

BABAYEV. Calm yourself.

TATYANA. That's the way, my dear Valentin Pavlich. It means that we shall
now have a very pleasant love-affair, without sinning against God, or
feeling shame before men.