FÉDYA [forcing back tears of emotion] I have led this disorderly life for ten years, and this is the first time a man like you has pitied me! I have been pitied by my boon-companions, by rakes and by women; but a reasonable, good man like you ... Thank you! How did I come to my ruin? First, through drink. It is not that drink tastes nice; but do what I will, I always feel I am not doing the right thing, and I feel ashamed. I talk to you now, and feel ashamed. As for being a _Maréchal de la noblesse_, or a Bank Director--I should feel ashamed, so ashamed! It is only when I drink that I do not feel this shame. And music: not operas or Beethoven, but gipsies!... That is life! Energy flows into one's veins! And then those dear black eyes, and those smiles! And the more delicious it is, the more ashamed one feels afterwards. PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. How about work? FÉDYA. I have tried it, but it's no good. I am always dissatisfied with it--but what's the use of talking about myself! I thank you. PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Then what am I to say? FÉDYA. Tell them I will do what they wish. They want to get married, and that there should be no obstacle to their marriage? PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Of course. FÉDYA. I'll do it! Tell them I will certainly do it. PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. But when? FÉDYA. Wait a bit. Well, say in a fortnight. Will that do? PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Then I may tell them so? FÉDYA. You may. Good-bye, Prince! Thank you once again! [Exit Prince]. FÉDYA [sits for a long time and smiles silently] That's the way, that's the way! It must be so, must be, must be! Splendid! Curtain. ACT IV SCENE 1 A private room in a restaurant. A waiter shows in Fédya and Iván Petróvich Alexándrov. WAITER. Here, please. No one will disturb you here. I'll bring some paper directly. IVÁN PETRÓVICH. Protásov, I'll come in too. FÉDYA [seriously] If you like, but I'm busy and ... All right, come in. IVÁN PETRÓVICH. You wish to reply to their demands? I'll tell you what to say. I should not do it that way--always speak straight out, and act with decision. FÉDYA [to waiter] A bottle of champagne! Exit waiter. FÉDYA [taking out a revolver and putting it on the table] Wait a bit! IVÁN PETRÓVICH. What's that? Do you want to shoot yourself? You can if you like. I understand you! They wish to humiliate you, and you will show them the sort of man you are! You will kill yourself with a revolver, and them with magnanimity. I understand you. I understand everything, because I am a genius. FÉDYA. Of course--of course. Only ... [Enter waiter with paper and ink]. FÉDYA [covers the revolver with a napkin] Uncork it--let's have a drink. [They drink. Fédya writes] Wait a bit!