ause] What took place by the theatre yesterday?

TUZENBACH. [Making a movement of impatience] In an hour's time I shall
return and be with you again. [Kisses her hands] My darling... [Looking
her closely in the face] it's five years now since I fell in love with
you, and still I can't get used to it, and you seem to me to grow more
and more beautiful. What lovely, wonderful hair! What eyes! I'm going to
take you away to-morrow. We shall work, we shall be rich, my dreams will
come true. You will be happy. There's only one thing, one thing only:
you don't love me!

IRINA. It isn't in my power! I shall be your wife, I shall be true to
you, and obedient to you, but I can't love you. What can I do! [Cries] I
have never been in love in my life. Oh, I used to think so much of love,
I have been thinking about it for so long by day and by night, but
my soul is like an expensive piano which is locked and the key lost.
[Pause] You seem so unhappy.

TUZENBACH. I didn't sleep at night. There is nothing in my life so awful
as to be able to frighten me, only that lost key torments my soul and
does not let me sleep. Say something to me [Pause] say something to
me....

IRINA. What can I say, what?

TUZENBACH. Anything.

IRINA. Don't! don't! [Pause.]

TUZENBACH. It is curious how silly trivial little things, sometimes
for no apparent reason, become significant. At first you laugh at these
things, you think they are of no importance, you go on and you feel that
you haven't got the strength to stop yourself. Oh don't let's talk about
it! I am happy. It is as if for the first time in my life I see these
firs, maples, beeches, and they all look at me inquisitively and wait.
What beautiful trees and how beautiful, when one comes to think of it,
life must be near them! [A shout of Co-ee! in the distance] It's time
I went.... There's a tree which has dried up but it still sways in the
breeze with the others. And so it seems to me that if I die, I shall
still take part in life in one way or another. Good-bye, dear....
[Kisses her hands] The papers which you gave me are on my table under
the calendar.

IRINA. I am coming with you.

TUZENBACH. [Nervously] No, no! [He goes quickly and stops in the avenue]
Irina!

IRINA. What is it?

TUZENBACH. [Not knowing what to say] I haven't had any coffee to-day.
Tell them to make me some.... [He goes out quickly.]

[IRINA stands deep in thought. Then she goes to the back of the stage
and sits