ACT II
The dining-room of Serebrakoff’s house. It is night. The tapping of the Watchman’s rattle is heard in the garden. Serebrakoff is dozing in an arm-chair by an open window and Helena is sitting beside him, also half asleep.
Serebrakoff. [Rousing himself] Who is here? Is it you, Sonia?
Helena. It is I.
Serebrakoff. Oh, it is you, Nelly. This pain is intolerable.
Helena. Your shawl has slipped down. [She wraps up his legs in the shawl] Let me shut the window.
Serebrakoff. No, leave it open; I am suffocating. I dreamt just now that my left leg belonged to some one else, and it hurt so that I woke. I don’t believe this is gout, it is more like rheumatism. What time is it?
Helena. Half past twelve. [A pause.
Serebrakoff. I want you to look for Batushka’s works in the library to-morrow. I think we have him.
Helena. What is that?
Serebrakoff. Look for Batushka to-morrow morning; we used to have him, I remember. Why do I find it so hard to breathe?
Helena. You are tired; this is the second night you have had no sleep.
Serebrakoff. They say that Turgenieff got angina of the heart from gout. I am afraid I am getting angina too. Oh, damn this horrible, accursed old age! Ever since I have
28
