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except TREPLIEFF； who is left alone。 TREPLIEFF prepares to write。 He
runs his eye over what he has already written。
TREPLIEFF。 I have talked a great deal about new forms of art； but I
feel myself gradually slipping into the beaten track。 ＇He reads＇ 〃The
placard cried it from the walla pale face in a frame of dusky hair〃cried…
…framethat is stupid。 ＇He scratches out what he has written＇ I shall begin
again from the place where my hero is wakened by the noise of the rain；
but what follows must go。 This description of a moonlight night is long
and stilted。 Trigorin has worked out a process of his own； and descriptions
are easy for him。 He writes that the neck of a broken bottle lying on the
bank glittered in the moonlight； and that the shadows lay black under the
mill…wheel。 There you have a moonlight night before your eyes； but I
speak of the shimmering light； the twinkling stars； the distant sounds of a
piano melting into the still and scented air； and the result is abominable。
＇A pause＇ The conviction is gradually forcing itself upon me that good
literature is not a question of forms new or old； but of ideas that must pour
freely from the author's heart； without his bothering his head about any
forms whatsoever。 ＇A knock is heard at the window nearest the table＇
What was that？ ＇He looks out of the window＇ I can't see anything。 ＇He
opens the glass door and looks out into the garden＇ I heard some one run
down the steps。 ＇He calls＇ Who is there？ ＇He goes out； and is heard
walking quickly along the terrace。 In a few minutes he comes back with
NINA ZARIETCHNAYA＇ Oh； Nina； Nina！
NINA lays her head on TREPLIEFF'S breast and stifles her sobs。
TREPLIEFF。 ＇Deeply moved＇ Nina； Nina！ It is youyou！ I felt you
would come； all day my heart has been aching for you。 ＇He takes off her
hat and cloak＇ My darling； my beloved has come back to me！ We mustn't
cry； we mustn't cry。
NINA。 There is some one here。
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The Sea…Gull
TREPLIEFF。 No one is here。
NINA。 Lock the door； some one might come。
TREPLIEFF。 No one will come in。
NINA。 I know your mother is here。 Lock the door。
TREPLIEFF locks the door on the right and comes back to NINA。
TREPLIEFF。 There is no lock on that one。 I shall put a chair against it。
＇He puts an arm…chair against the door＇ Don't be frightened； no one shall
come in。
NINA。 ＇Gazing intently into his face＇ Let me look at you。 ＇She looks
about her＇ It is warm and comfortable in here。 This used to be a sitting…
room。 Have I changed much？
TREPLIEFF。 Yes； you have grown thinner； and your eyes are larger
than they were。 Nina； it seems so strange to see you！ Why didn't you let
me go to you？ Why didn't you come sooner to me？ You have been here
nearly a week； I know。 I have been several times each day to where you
live； and have stood like a beggar beneath your window。
NINA。 I was afraid you might hate me。 I dream every night that you
look at me without recognising me。 I have been wandering about on the
shores of the lake ever since I came back。 I have often been near your
house； but I have never had the courage to come in。 Let us sit down。 ＇They
sit down＇ Let us sit down and talk our hearts out。 It is so quiet and warm in
here。 Do you hear the wind whistling outside？ As Turgenieff says； 〃Happy
is he who can sit at night under the roof of his home； who has a warm
corner in which to take refuge。〃 I am a sea…gulland yetno。 ＇She passes
her hand across her forehead＇ What was I saying？ Oh； yes； Turgenieff。 He
says； 〃and God help all houseless wanderers。〃 ＇She sobs。＇
TREPLIEFF。 Nina！ You are crying again； Nina！
NINA。 It is all right。 I shall feel better after this。 I have not cried for
two years。 I went into the garden last night to see if our old theatre were
still standing。 I see it is。 I wept there for the first time in two years； and my
heart grew lighter； and my soul saw more clearly again。 See； I am not
crying now。 ＇She takes his hand in hers＇ So you are an author now； and I
am an actress。 We have both been sucked into the whirlpool。 My life used
to be as happy as a child's； I used to wake singing in the morning； I loved
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you and dreamt of fame； and what is the reality？ To…morrow morning early
I must start for Eltz by train in a third…class carriage； with a lot of peasants；
and at Eltz the educated trades…people will pursue me with compliments。 It
is a rough life。
TREPLIEFF。 Why are you going to Eltz？
NINA。 I have accepted an engagement there for the winter。 It is time
for me to go。
TREPLIEFF。 Nina； I have cursed you； and hated you； and torn up your
photograph； and yet I have known every minute of my life that my heart
and soul were yours for ever。 To cease from loving you is beyond my
power。 I have suffered continually from the time I lost you and began to
write； and my life has been almost unendurable。 My youth was suddenly
plucked from me then； and I seem now to have lived in this world for
ninety years。 I have called out to you； I have kissed the ground you walked
on； wherever I looked I have seen your face before my eyes； and the smile
that had illumined for me the best years of my life。
NINA。 ＇Despairingly＇ Why； why does he talk to me like this？
TREPLIEFF。 I am quite alone； unwarmed by any attachment。 I am as
cold as if I were living in a cave。 Whatever I write is dry and gloomy and
harsh。 Stay here； Nina； I beseech you； or else let me go away with you。
NINA quickly puts on her coat and hat。
TREPLIEFF。 Nina； why do you do that？ For God's sake； Nina！ ＇He
watches her as she dresses。 A pause。＇
NINA。 My carriage is at the gate。 Do not come out to see me off。 I
shall find the way alone。 ＇Weeping＇ Let me have some water。
TREPLIEFF hands her a glass of water。
TREPLIEFF。 Where are you going？
NINA。 Back to the village。 Is your mother here？
TREPLIEFF。 Yes； my uncle fell ill on Thursday； and we telegraphed
for her to come。
NINA。 Why do you say that you have kissed the ground I walked on？
You should kill me rather。 ＇She bends over the table＇ I am so tired。 If I
could only restrest。 ＇She raises her head＇ I am a sea…gullnono； I am an
actress。 ＇She hears ARKADINA and TRIGORIN laughing in the distance；