ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. But still, the strength of his convictions is astonishing. See what he endures! They tell him that as long as he persists in refusing to serve, he will either remain where he is or be sent to the fortress; but his reply is always the same. And yet Lisa says he is full of joy and even merry! MARY IVÁNOVNA. Fanatic! But here comes Alexander Mikáylovich! Enter Alexander Mikáylovich Starkóvsky,[35] an elegant man in evening dress. [35] Alexander in his Christian name, Mikáylovich (= son of Michael) is his patronymic, and Starkóvsky in his surname which is seldom used in ordinary social life. STARKÓVSKY. I am afraid I have come too soon. [Kisses the hands of both ladies]. MARY IVÁNOVNA. So much the better. STARKÓVSKY. And Lyúbov Nikoláyevna?[36] She proposed to dance a great deal so as to make up for the time she has lost, and I have undertaken to help her. [36] Lyúbov Nikoláyevna (= Love daughter of Nicholas) is the courteous way of naming Lyúba. The latter is a pet name. MARY IVÁNOVNA. She is sorting favours for the cotillion. STARKÓVSKY. I will go and help her, if I may? MARY IVÁNOVNA. Certainly. As Starkóvsky is going out he meets Lyúba in evening, but not low-necked, dress carrying a cushion with stars and ribbons. LYÚBA. Ah! here you are. Good! Now you can help me. There are three more cushions in the drawing-room. Go and fetch them all. STARKÓVSKY. I fly to do so! MARY IVÁNOVNA. Now, Lyúba; friends are coming, and they will be sure to hint and ask questions. May we announce it? LYÚBA. No, Mamma, no. Why? Let them ask! Papa will not like it. MARY IVÁNOVNA. But he knows or guesses; and he will have to be told sooner or later. I think it would be better to announce it to-day. Why, _C'est le secret de la comédie_.[37] [37] It is only a comedy secret. LYÚBA. No, no, Mamma, please don't. It would spoil our whole evening. No, no, you must not. MARY IVÁNOVNA. Well, as you please. LYÚBA. All right then: after the dance, just before supper. Enter Starkóvsky. LYÚBA. Well, have you got them? MARY IVÁNOVNA. I'll go and have a look at the little ones. [Exit with Alexándra Ivánovna]. STARKÓVSKY [carrying three cushions, which he steadies with his chin, and dropping things on the way] Don't trouble, Lyúbov Nikoláyevna, I'll pick them up. Well, you have prepared a lot of favours. If only I can manage to lead the dance properly! Ványa, come along. VÁNYA [bringing more favours] This is the whole lot. Lyúba, Alexander Mikáylovich and I have a bet on, which of us will win the most favours. STARKÓVSKY. It will be easy for you, for you know everybody here, and will gain them easily, while I shall have to charm the young ladies first before winning anything. It means that I am giving you a start of forty points. VÁNYA. But then you are a fiancé, and I am a boy. STARKÓVSKY. Well no, I am not a fiancé yet, and I am worse than a boy.