LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. [_Goes to her father_] Father, I will never take a step against your will. But have pity on me, poor girl that I am! Don't ruin my young life! GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. You're a fool, and don't understand your own happiness! You'll live in Moscow like a lady; you'll ride in a coach. In the first place, you'll live in the city--and not in a wilderness like this! In the second place, these are my orders! LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. I dare not disobey your command. Father! [_Bows down to his feet_] Don't make me unhappy for my whole life! Relent, father! Make me do whatever you like, only don't compel me to marry a man I don't love! GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. I never take back my word. [_Rises._ LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. As you wish, father! [_Bows and goes to her mother._ KÓRSHUNOV. There, that business is over! Now, then, girls--a marriage song! GIRLS. [_Sing_] "The flowers in the garden will wither all about me, The blue flower in the meadow will be faded and forlorn; And so will my darling of the red cheeks without me; So rise up early, mother, in the morn. You must water all the flowers In the dawn and evening hours With water very often and with bitter tears in showers." LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. Not that, not that! Sing another! GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. Let's go into the reception-room, Afrikán Savvich. Wife, all of you, come there! LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. Where can I hide myself! GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. Arína, bring along the wine! ARÍNA. Oh, wait, I can't attend to you now! My darling child! Girls, my dearies! Here's the song we'll sing. [_She sings._ "Thou art my own, my mother, Who grievest day by day, And at night to God dost pray. Thou who art so downcast, Look but once on her here, Thy daughter who was so dear-- For the last time--the last." LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. For the last time. _At the end of this song_ GORDÉY KÁRPYCH _and_ KÓRSHUNOV _go out;_ LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA _remains in the embrace of her mother, surrounded by her friends._ ACT III _A small room in the house of_ TORTSÓV, _furnished with cupboards of various sorts; chests and shelves with plates and silver. Furniture: sofas, armchairs, and tables, all very expensive and crowded together. Usually this room is used as a sort of sitting-room for the mistress of the house, where she directs her household, and where she receives her guests informally. One door leads into the room where the guests are dining, and the other into the inner rooms._ SCENE I ARÍNA _is seated on a chair near the door leading into the dining-room; near her are several girls and women._