Maya.—Never. And so much love had died within me—and so much love still lives.
Petr.—And does it live for any one at all?
Maya.—For no one in this wide, wide world. Still it lives for everything. It burns and burns and will burn out in vain.
Petr.—Marenka, must it be so?
(Their heads have touched each other, he kisses her.)
Maya.—It must, Petr, it must (rises half way). Petr, it must be so (has risen erect). Petr, promise me.
Petr.—What?
Maya.—That we will both forget.
Petr.—It is not possible.
Maya.—And that you will finish your studies.
Petr.—And what if not even that is possible?
Maya.—You must.
Petr (still confused).—And if I cannot?
Maya (confidently).—I will compel you.
Petr (erect, he presses his palms on his brow).—GOD.GOD.
Maya.—Petr, to-day we see each other for the last time.
Petr (frightened).—That is not possible. That will not happen! Do you want to kill me?
Maya.—No, my friend, to save you.
Petr.—And you—was all this not true?
Maya (for a moment confused).—Don’t ask, but obey. (Firmly.) Petr, you must obey! Even I am obeying and perhaps with a greater pain than you. (They look at each other.) (Silence.)
(Suddenly from the open window is weakly heard the voice of Petr’s sick mother).—“Petrichek, are you there?”
Petr (is aroused).
Maya.—Did you hear?
(His mother’s voice can be heard again, softly and beggingly).—“Petrichek, can you hear me?”
Petr (frightened).—Maminka
Maya (with a forced calmness).—Yes, she is calling you. Let us go to her! (She makes a few steps toward the house.)
Petr (Just as if he had waked up, detains her).—No, for God’s sake, not now. I would not dare to go in, now.
Maya (meaningly).—You do not dare even that!
Petr.—I would feel so sorry for her.
Maya.—See, Petr, see! You are a weakling—only a short