ALEXANDER [_alone._] At last my burning wish is fulfilled! Now I have
both a pretty wife and money. Without money a man is not of the least
importance. Let him give himself what trouble he may, if he has no
money, no one will pay any attention to him. I have made only one
mistake in the business. I have been in too much of a hurry. If I had
held out a little longer they would have given me 8,000 rubles; now I
must be satisfied with 7,000. Still, what was to be done? It would not
have gone through otherwise; and for that matter, I may, perhaps,
somehow make up for it in other ways. In any case, I stand here on a fat
pasture-land where they seem to be pretty rich. The principal thing is
that I should make myself popular among them, then I shall have
succeeded in getting my fill out of them. Ha, ha, ha! How they worry
themselves! Yes, the whole office will be in an uproar to-morrow. [_With
affected voice_:] "Have you heard the news? Marmarow is engaged, and has
received 7,000 rubles dowry. And such a beautiful girl! Such a lovely
creature!" [_Clucking with his tongue and changing his voice_:] "Is it
possible!" [_In his own voice_:] Charming, charming, Marmarow! [_Looking
at his clothing:_] Chic! A true gentleman am I! Yes, I am getting on. I
must now think only of to-morrow and the next day, and how to get on
further. The principal thing is for a man to know the value of money,
for without money nothing can be undertaken. First, I shall have the
interest on my capital; then my salary, and last some hundred rubles
beside. That makes 3,000 or 4,000 rubles a year. If I lay aside 1,000
rubles every year, I have in seven or eight years 10,000; in fifteen
years double that, and so on. Yes, Monsieur Marmarow, you understand it!
Be happy, therefore, and let the others burst with envy.
_Salome and Nato enter at the right, Salome holding Nato's hand_.
ALEXANDER. Miss Natalie, the whole night long I thought only of you!
[_Kisses her hand_.]
SALOME. Kiss her on the cheek and give her the engagement ring.
ALEXANDER. Oh, you are the sun of my existence! [_Draws a ring from his
finger and gives it to Natalie_.] From now on you are mine. Please!
[_Kisses her_.]
SALOME. Be happy and may you reach old age together. [_Kisses Alexander;
then Nato_.] God bless you, my children. Sit down, I pray you, Alexander
[_pointing to the sofa on which Alexander and Nato sit down_]. Your
father will soon be here. [_Walks to and fro in joyful excitement_.]
ALEXANDER [_looking at Nato_]. Dear Natalie, why are you so silent? Let
me hear your sweet voice, I beg of you.
NATO. I am speechless, Monsieur Marmarow.
ALEXANDER. Monsieur!
NATO. Dear Alexander.
ALEXANDER [_seizing her hand_]. So! That sounds much sweeter! [_Kisses
her hand_.]
_Enter Chacho_.
SALOME. Come in, dear aunt.
CHACHO. Such a thing has never happened to me before! Could you not wait
till the man of the house arrived?
SALOME. Oh, it is all the same; he will be here soon enough. Give them
your blessing, I beg of you.
CHACHO. May God bestow all good things upon you. May heaven grant the
prayer of me, a sinner. [_Alexander and Nato stand up_.] May you have
nothing to regret. May you flourish and prosper and grow old together on
the same pillow. [_Ossep comes to the door and stands astonished_.]
CHACHO [_continuing_]. God grant that your first may be a boy! Love and
respect each other! May the eye of the Czar look down on you with mercy!
[_Sees Ossep_.] Let the father now offer you his good wishes.
SALOME. Dear Ossep, congratulate your daughter.
NATO. Dear papa!
[_Goes up to Ossep and kisses his hand. Ossep stands
motionless_.
ALEXANDER [_seizing Ossep's hand_]. From now on, dear father, count me
among your children. [_Turning to Nato offended_:] What is this?
SALOME. Don't be impolite, Ossep.
CHACHO. What has happened to you, Ossep?
ALEXANDER [_to Salome_]. I understand nothing of this. [_To Ossep_:] My
father, you seem dissatisfied.
OSSEP [_recovering himself_]. I dissatisfied! No--yes--I am dizzy.
ALEXANDER [_offering him a chair_]. Sit down, I pray, my father.
OSSEP [_to Alexander_]. Do not trouble yourself. It is already passed.
SALOME. Can one meet his son-in-law like that? And such a son-in-law,
beside! Say something, do.
OSSEP. What shall I say, then? You have consummated the betrothal. God
grant that all will end well. [_To Alexander_:] Please be seated.
ALEXANDER. My father, when do you wish the betrothal to be celebrated?
OSSEP. That depends upon you. Do as you wish.
ALEXANDER. I will invite twenty persons and bring them with me. My
superiors I must invite also; it would not do to omit them.
OSSEP. Do as you see fit.
ALEXANDER [_to Salome_]. Perhaps he is angry with me. If there is any
reason for it, pray tell me now.
SALOME. What are you saying? That cannot be!
[_They move away a little and speak softly together_.
OSSEP [_on the other side of the stage to Chacho_]. You Godforsaken!
Could you not wait a moment?
CHACHO. What is the matter now?
OSSEP. Only God in heaven knows how I stand! Think of it! Santurian has
failed.
CHACHO. Great heaven!
ALEXANDER [_offering Nato his arm_]. Something must have happened!
[_They go off at the left, Salome following_.
OSSEP. Righteous God, why dost thou punish me thus?
SALOME [_returning to Ossep_]. Do with me as you will, but it could not
have been helped. I have promised him 7,000 rubles as dowry, [_Turning
to Chacho as she leaves the room_:] Pray come with me, aunt. You come,
too, Ossep.
[_Exit Salome_.