KHLESTAKOV [moving nearer]. It only seems near to you. Imagine it's far. How happy I would be, mademoiselle, if I could clasp you in my embrace. MARYA [looking through the window]. What is that? It looked as if something had flown by. Was it a magpie or some other bird? KHLESTAKOV [kisses her shoulder and looks through the window]. It's a magpie. MARYA [rises indignantly]. No, that's too much--Such rudeness, such impertinence. KHLESTAKOV [holding her back]. Forgive me, mademoiselle. I did it only out of love--only out of love, nothing else. MARYA. You take me for a silly provincial wench. [Struggles to go away.] KHLESTAKOV [still holding her back]. It's out of love, really--out of love. It was just a little fun. Marya Antonovna, don't be angry. I'm ready to beg your forgiveness on my knees. [Falls on his knees.] Forgive me, do forgive me! You see, I am on my knees. SCENE XIII The same and Anna Andreyevna. ANNA [seeing Khlestakov on his knees]. Oh, what a situation! KHLESTAKOV [rising]. Oh, the devil! ANNA [to Marya]. What does this mean? What does this behavior mean? MARYA. I, mother-- ANNA. Go away from here. Do you hear? And don't you dare to show your face to me. [Marya goes out in tears.] Excuse me. I must say I'm greatly astonished. KHLESTAKOV [aside]. She's very appetizing, too. She's not bad-looking, either. [Flings himself on his knees.] Madam, you see I am burning with love. ANNA. What! You on your knees? Please get up, please get up. This floor isn't very clean. KHLESTAKOV. No, I must be on my knees before you. I must. Pronounce the verdict. Is it life or death? ANNA. But please--I don't quite understand the significance of your words. If I am not mistaken, you are making a proposal for my daughter. KHLESTAKOV. No, I am in love with you. My life hangs by a thread. If you don't crown my steadfast love, then I am not fit to exist in this world. With a burning flame in my bosom, I pray for your hand. ANNA. But please remember I am in a certain way--married. KHLESTAKOV. That's nothing. Love knows no distinction. It was Karamzin who said: "The laws condemn." We will fly in the shadow of a brook. Your hand! I pray for your hand! SCENE XIV The same and Marya Antonovna. MARYA [running in suddenly]. Mamma, papa says you should--[seeing Khlestakov on his knees, exclaims:] Oh, what a situation! ANNA. Well, what do you want? Why did you come in here? What for? What sort of flightiness is this? Breaks in like a cat leaping out of smoke. Well, what have you found so wonderful? What's gotten into your head again? Really, she behaves like a child of three. She doesn't act a bit like a girl of eighteen, not a bit. I don't know when you'll get more sense into your head, when you'll behave like a decent, well-bred girl, when you'll know what good manners are and a proper demeanor. MARYA [through her tears]. Mamma, I really didn't know--