The Poor Bride

ACT I

The upper portion of the page contains a faint list of characters (Dramatis Personae), including Anna Petrovna, Marya Andreyevna, Vladimir Baskov, Maksim Dorofeich Benevolensky, and others. Below this is a brief note stating that the action takes place in Moscow.

SCENE I

Only one thing remains: to go to my godmother, to Kondratyevna, and ask her to help me with something, out of our old friendship and in the name of the Savior. Dasha! It is just like this... Dasha! (Dasha enters)

What are your orders?

It is just like this... If only you knew, my dear, how I shall live from now on! And what of me? It makes no difference, I will not live much longer, I have lived my life, but my poor daughter. (Sighs). If only you knew, Masha; but do not speak! You seem not to be breathing yourself, as I am. The pain is inescapable. And you, Masha, what is the matter? Oh, it is agonizing... in my throat...

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SCENE II

I have just been sitting, mother, it is already evening, it is growing dark.

Why are you so upset all of a sudden, Masha? Oh, will your tears be the death of you? Look, your eyes are already red... Do you not know what the matter is?

Was I crying, mother? It seems that is not noticeable.