Complete Works of Anton Chekhov

SCENE VIII

ZHELTOUKHIN AND JULIE

JULIE: How unlucky we are, you, Lennie, and I, ah, how unlucky!

ZHELTOUKHIN: But who authorized you to speak to her?

You self-appointed match-maker, you minx! You’ve spoilt the whole business for me! She’ll think that I can’t speak for myself, and . . . how very common! I’ve told you a thousand times that the whole affair must be let alone.

Nothing but humiliation and all these hints, vileness, meanness.

. . . The old fellow must have guessed that I’m in love with her, and is already exploiting my feelings! He wants me to buy this estate from him.

JULIE: And how much does he ask for it?

ZHELTOUKHIN: Sh-h! . . . They’re coming. . . .

Enter by the left door SEREBRYAKOV, ORLOVSKY, and MARIE

VASSILIEVNA; the latter reading a pamphlet as she comes in.