Ivanov

She’s got something about her the others haven’t got – don’t you think so, Nicolas? Something special, something not of this world . . . (Sighs.) As it happens, she’s the richest match in the district, but her mama is such an old bag, no one is willing to pop the question. Everything will go to Shurochka, but till then – ten thousand and a couple of ladles, and she’ll have to beg for that. (Rummages in his pocket.) Care for a cigar? De los Majores. (Holds out his cigar case.) They’re good.

Ivanov goes up to Borkin, catching his breath with rage.

IvanovGet out of this house, this instant!

Borkin pulls himself up slightly and drops his cigar.

Out! Now!

BorkinNicolas, what does this mean? Are you angry about something?

IvanovWhere did you get hold of those cigars? And don’t think I don’t know where you take that old man every day, and what you do there!

Borkin(shrugs his shoulders) And what’s that got to do with you?

IvanovYou bastard! You’ve given me a bad name all over the district with your crooked schemes. We have nothing in common and I’m asking you to leave my house right this minute.

BorkinI’m not angry with you, because I know you don’t mean it; you’re just irritable about something. Insult me as much as you like. (Picks up the cigar.) But it’s about time you got out of your sulk – you’re not a schoolboy.

IvanovDid you hear what I said? Do you think I’m an idiot?

Anna enters.

BorkinWell, your wife’s here now . . . I’ll leave you to it.

Borkin leaves.

    Ivanov stops near the table and stands with his bead banging down.

Anna(after a pause) What was she doing here?

Pause.

I said – what was she doing here?

IvanovDon’t ask me to explain, Anyuta.

Pause.

She’s not to blame. You can make me pay any way you like, I won’t complain . . . but don’t ask me about her, I haven’t the strength.

Anna(angrily) Why did she come here?

Pause.

So now I know. Now at last I know what kind of man you are. A man without honour. Everything you told me about truth and goodness and your high-minded plans was a lie, and I believed every word . . .

IvanovAnyuta, I have never lied to you.

AnnaI’ve lived with you for five years, I’ve been sick with anguish about giving up my faith, but I loved you and never stopped loving you for a single minute. I idolised you. And all for what? You were deceiving me the whole time and not caring who knew it.

IvanovAnyuta, don’t say things which aren’t true. I made mistakes, I know, but I’ve never told a lie in my life . . . Don’t you dare accuse me of that.

AnnaEverything’s clear now. You married me thinking my parents would forgive me and you’d get a large dowry – that’s what you thought.

IvanovOh God, not you too!

AnnaBe quiet! When you realised there wasn’t going to be any money . . . you had to think again . . . I can see it all now. (Weeps.) You never loved me and were never faithful to me – never! . . .

IvanovAnna, that’s not true! Say anything you like, but don’t insult my honour with these lies.

AnnaYou have no honour to insult, you’re a swine. You owe money to Lebedev and to get out of paying you’re trying to seduce his daughter – to deceive her just like you deceived me. That’s the truth, isn’t it?

IvanovStop it, for God’s sake! I won’t answer you, you’re making me so angry I’ll say something I’ll wish I hadn’t.

AnnaIt’s not just me you’ve managed to fool –

IvanovAnna, please stop it –

AnnaAll those shady deals you blame on Borkin –

IvanovLeave me alone or I won’t be responsible for what I say –

AnnaIt wasn’t Borkin –

IvanovI mean it, I’m just about ready to –

AnnaIt was you all the time –

IvanovOh, shut up, you silly yid, just –

AnnaNo, I won’t shut up! It’s too late for that –

IvanovWon’t you? Oh – God –

Anna– so you might as well go over to the Lebedevs and carry on making a fool of him –

Ivanov(cries out) What do you care?! – You’re a dead woman! The doctor says you’ll be dead before . . . before . . .

Anna sits down. Her voice drops.

AnnaWhen did he say that?

Pause.

IvanovThat’s the worst thing I’ve ever done.

Ivanov sobs.

End of Act Three.

* The re-entrance of Pyotr with the onion pasties – though at a later moment in the scene – was the irresistible innovation of David Hare’s translation for Jonathan Kent’s production of Ivanov at the Almeida Theatre, London (1997).

Act Four

A year later.