I do not
understand
love!
World's Greatest Books - Volume 17 - Poetry and Drama
They beg Khlestakov to secure
his deposition from office. When they offer the sugar-loaves and the
wine, Khlestakov protests that he cannot accept bribes, but if they
would offer him a loan of three hundred roubles that would be another
matter. They do so and go out.
[_Enter_ MARYA _nervously_.
MARYA: Ach!
KHELSTAKOV: Why are you so frightened?
MARYA: No; I am not frightened. I thought mamma might be here. I am
disturbing you in your important business.
KHELSTAKOV: But your eyes are more attractive than important
business.
MARYA: You are talking in St. Petersburg style.
KHELSTAKOV: May I venture to be so happy as to offer you a chair?
But no; you should be offered a throne, not a chair! I offer you my
love, which ever since your first glance----
MARYA: Love!
I do not understand love!
He kisses her on the shoulder, and, when she rises angrily to go,
falls on his knees. At that moment her mother enters. With a show of
indignation she orders Marya away.
KHELSTAKOV (_kneeling at her feet_): Madame, you see I burn with
love.
ANNA ANDREYEVNA: But permit me, I do not quite comprehend you. If I
am not mistaken, you were making a proposal to my daughter?
KHELSTAKOV: No; I am in love with you.
ANNA ANDREYEVNA: But I am married!
KHELSTAKOV: That is nothing. Let us flee under the canopy of heaven.
I crave your hand!
Marya enters, and seeing Khlestakov on his knees, shrieks. The mother
scolds her for her bad manners, and declares that he was, after
all, asking for the daughter's hand. Then enters the governor. He
breathlessly begins to bewail the base, lying conduct of the merchants
who have been slandering him, and swears he is innocent of oppressing
anybody.
his deposition from office. When they offer the sugar-loaves and the
wine, Khlestakov protests that he cannot accept bribes, but if they
would offer him a loan of three hundred roubles that would be another
matter. They do so and go out.
[_Enter_ MARYA _nervously_.
MARYA: Ach!
KHELSTAKOV: Why are you so frightened?
MARYA: No; I am not frightened. I thought mamma might be here. I am
disturbing you in your important business.
KHELSTAKOV: But your eyes are more attractive than important
business.
MARYA: You are talking in St. Petersburg style.
KHELSTAKOV: May I venture to be so happy as to offer you a chair?
But no; you should be offered a throne, not a chair! I offer you my
love, which ever since your first glance----
MARYA: Love!
I do not understand love!
He kisses her on the shoulder, and, when she rises angrily to go,
falls on his knees. At that moment her mother enters. With a show of
indignation she orders Marya away.
KHELSTAKOV (_kneeling at her feet_): Madame, you see I burn with
love.
ANNA ANDREYEVNA: But permit me, I do not quite comprehend you. If I
am not mistaken, you were making a proposal to my daughter?
KHELSTAKOV: No; I am in love with you.
ANNA ANDREYEVNA: But I am married!
KHELSTAKOV: That is nothing. Let us flee under the canopy of heaven.
I crave your hand!
Marya enters, and seeing Khlestakov on his knees, shrieks. The mother
scolds her for her bad manners, and declares that he was, after
all, asking for the daughter's hand. Then enters the governor. He
breathlessly begins to bewail the base, lying conduct of the merchants
who have been slandering him, and swears he is innocent of oppressing
anybody.
