LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. Really, they told me so. MÍTYA. If this were true, then what sort of a man should I be after acting as I have? Could I declare with words what my heart does not feel! I think such a thing would be dishonorable! I may not be worth your regard, but I'm not the man to deceive you. LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. It is impossible to believe you men; all men in the world are deceivers. MÍTYA. Let them be deceivers, but I am not. LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. How can one know! Perhaps you also are deceiving me and want to play a joke on me! MÍTYA. It would be easier for me to die in this place than to hear such words from you! [_Turns away._ LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. No, Mítya, I didn't mean it. I know that you love me. I only wanted to tease you. [MÍTYA _is silent_] Mítya dear! Mítya! Why are you silent? Are you angry with me? I tell you I was only joking! Mítya! Yes! Now, then, say something. [_Takes his hand._ MÍTYA. Oh, Lyubóv Gordéyevna, I'm not in a joking humor! I'm not that sort of man. LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. Don't be angry. MÍTYA. If you love me, then stop these jokes! They are not in place. Oh, it's all the same to me now! [_Embraces her_] Maybe they can take you from me by force, but I won't give you up of my free will. I love you more than my life! LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. [_Returning his embrace_] Mítya dear, what shall we do now? MÍTYA. What shall we do? We didn't fall in love with each other just to say good-by! LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. Well, but what if they promise me to some one else? MÍTYA. Look here, Lyubóv, one word! To-morrow we must go together to Gordéy Kárpych, and throw ourselves at his feet. We'll say so and so--whatever you please, but we can't live without each other. Yes, if you love me, then forget your pride! LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. What pride, Mítya? Is this a time for pride! Mítya dear, don't be angry with me; don't remember my past words. It was only girlish foolishness; I'm sorry that I did it! I shouldn't have joked with you; I should have caressed you, my poor boy. [_Throws her arms round his neck_] Oh, but, if father doesn't consent to our happiness--what then? MÍTYA. Who can tell beforehand? It will be as God wills. I don't know how it is with you, but for me life is not life without you! [_Is silent_. LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. Some one's coming! Go away quietly, dearest, and I'll come later. MÍTYA _goes out quietly_. ARÍNA _comes in with a candle_; LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA _goes to meet her_. SCENE III ARÍNA, LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA, _and afterwards_ EGÓRUSHKA