No More Learning

I only say he ought to bless his fate
That you have so preferred him to the others.

WAITING-WOMAN. (Runs in. ) The guests have come already.

MARINA. There you see;
You're ready to chatter silliness till daybreak.
Meanwhile I am not dressed--

ROUZYA. Within a moment
'Twill be quite ready.

(The Waiting-women bustle. )

MARINA. (Aside. ) I must find out all.




A SUITE OF LIGHTED ROOMS.

VISHNEVETSKY, MNISHEK

MNISHEK. With none but my Marina doth he speak,
With no one else consorteth--and that business
Looks dreadfully like marriage.
Now confess,
Didst ever think my daughter would be a queen?

VISHNEVETSKY. 'Tis wonderful. --And, Mnishek, didst thou think
My servant would ascend the throne of Moscow?

MNISHEK. And what a girl, look you, is my Marina.
I merely hinted to her: "Now, be careful!
Let not Dimitry slip"--and lo! Already
He is completely tangled in her toils.

(The band plays a Polonaise. The PRETENDER and
MARINA advance as the first couple. )

MARINA. (Sotto voce to Dimitry. ) Tomorrow evening at eleven, beside
The fountain in the avenue of lime-trees.

(They walk off. A second couple.