_Unknown._ I’ll tell you. Either you give me all the money to-morrow, or else we’ll re-write the document. _Paul._ Certainly. We’ll re-write it now if you like. _Unknown_. No; we’ll re-write it to-morrow; only then your wife must sign her name as security. _Paul._ What for? _Unknown._ Oh! well, the broker will know what for; otherwise I shall simply go to law. (_Rises._) _Paul._ All right; all right. _Unknown._ Mind, then, to-morrow. (_Goes to door._) You’re not thinking of getting out of it anyway, are you? You can’t do that with me. (_Exit._) _Paul._ This sort of thing is really quite annoying! Here I am, as rich as you please, and yet I can’t get any money. I shall have to ask my wife for it; it’s all the same now whether the money is hers or mine; we have everything in common. It’s even better that it should be in my hands. And what is the use of my putting it off so long? I only get more and more entangled. (_Enter_ SERAFÌMA. PAUL _writes_.) _Serafima._ Leave off, Paul! Don’t write! (_Embraces him. He leaves off writing._) I am so happy! so happy! What have I done to deserve such happiness! (_Meditates._) I have abundance of everything; I have such a dear husband! (_Kisses him._) So handsome! so clever! only one thing distresses me: you are out so much. Now that we are married, you ought to be always with me; I believe I should love you still more then. _Paul._ It’s impossible, my love; I have the office. _Serafima._ Are you going to-day? _Paul._ Yes; it’s time for me to start now. _Serafima._ Take me with you. _Paul._ Where? To the Senate House? _Serafima._ Yes; why not? _Paul._ What things you say! How could I? _Serafima._ It’s always, “I can’t” with you! You simply don’t love me; that’s why you don’t want to take me. If you loved me, you’d take me! You’d say to every one, “This is my wife.” You’ll never have cause to be ashamed of me; I was educated at a boarding-school. _Paul._ If you don’t believe me, ask any one you like whether men take their wives to Government offices. _Serafima._ They don’t take us because they don’t love us; they would take us if they did. If you men loved us as we love you, you’d fulfil every whim we have. We’re ready to do everything in the world for you; and you don’t care to do the merest trifle for us. _Paul._ I, too, am willing to do anything you ask; only this is impossible. _Serafima._ Well then, at least do me one kindness: don’t go to-day; stop with me. _Paul_ (_shrugs his shoulders_). All right, if you like! _Serafima._ No! Do you really mean you won’t go? _Paul._ I won’t go, if you wish me not to. _Serafima._ Dear Paul! How good you are! How you spoil me! What is there in the world I wouldn’t do for you! Now tell me—tell me what you would like! you must tell me! (_Caresses him._) Ask me for anything you like—anything—anything in the world! Come now, tell me what you would like; I’ll drive straight into town and buy it for you.