NÁDYA. There you are!.... [_Silence_] Here is what I wanted to say to you, Líza. What a strange inspiration has come over me! When such thoughts came into my head, and, Líza, when I began to think about the master--then how dear he became to me!.... so dear, that, really, I can't tell.... Before, when he ran after me, I didn't care; but now it's just as if something drew me to him. LÍZA. Oh, my girl! Just think of it; surely this is fate! NÁDYA. And such a spirit came into me, I am afraid of nothing! I feel as if you could cut me to pieces, and still I'd not change my mind. And why this is so, I don't know. [_Silence_] I could hardly wait till night! It seems as if I could fly to him on wings! The one thing that I have in mind is that, at any rate, I am not a pretty girl for nothing; I shall have something by which to remember my youth. [_Musingly_] I thought to myself: "What a young man, how handsome! Am I, silly girl that I am, worth his loving me?" May I be choked here, in this lonely spot, if he does not. LÍZA. What's this, Nádya? You seem beside yourself. NÁDYA. And I really am beside myself. While she spoiled me, caressed me, then I thought that I was a person like other people; and my thoughts about life were entirely different. But when she began to command me, like a doll; when I saw that I was to have no will of my own, and no protection, then, Líza, despair fell upon me. What became of my fear, of my shame--I don't know. "Only one day, but mine!" I thought; "then come what may, I don't care to inquire. Marry me off to a herdsman, lock me in a castle with thirty locks!.... it's all the same to me!" LÍZA. I think the master's coming. LEONÍD _enters from the opposite side, in a cloak._ NÁDYA. Well, Líza, isn't he handsome, ha? LÍZA. Oh, stop! You're either sick or half out of your head! SCENE II _The_ same _and_ LEONÍD LEONÍD. [_Approaching_] I was thinking you would deceive me by not coming. NÁDYA. Why did you think so? LEONÍD. Well, you see, you said you didn't love me. NÁDYA. No matter what girls say, don't you believe them. How could one help loving such a handsome fellow? LEONÍD. [_Surprised_] Why, Nádya! He takes her hand, for a short time holds it, then kisses it. NÁDYA. [_In fright withdrawing her hand_] Oh! why did you do that? Dear, kind master! Aren't you ashamed? LEONÍD. I love you ever so much, Nádya! NÁDYA. You love me? Well, then, you might give me a kiss! LEONÍD. May I, Nádya? Will you let me? NÁDYA. What's the harm in it? LEONÍD. [_Turning about_] Oh, and you, Líza, here.... LÍZA. I'm going, I'm going ... I shan't meddle. LEONÍD. [_Confused_] I didn't mean that. Where did you get that idea? LÍZA. Oh, don't dodge. We know, too.... [_She goes out behind the shrubs._ LEONÍD. And so you will let me kiss you? [_He kisses her timidly_] No, no, let me kiss your hand. NÁDYA. [_Hides her hand_] No, no, how could you! What do you mean....