SCENE XI

SALOME [_coming in from the left_]. May I lose my sight if he is not coming already. He is already on the walk. [_Looking out of the window and then walking toward the entry_.] How my heart beats!

[_Goes into the ante-room. Alexander appears at the window and then at the door of the ante-room_.]

_Alexander enters_.

SALOME [_at the door_]. Come; pray come in. [_Offers her hand_.] May your coming into our house bring blessings!

ALEXANDER [_making a bow_]. Madame Salome [_kisses her hand_], I am happy that from now on I dare call myself your son.

SALOME [_kissing him on the brow_]. May God make you as happy as your mother wishes. Please, please sit down! Nato will be here immediately. [_They sit down_.

ALEXANDER. How are you, Madame Salome? What is Miss Natalie doing? Since that evening I have not had the pleasure of seeing her.

SALOME. Thank you, she is very well. The concert that evening pleased me exceedingly. Thank heaven that so good a fashion has found entrance among us. In this way we have a perfect bazaar for the marriageable girls, for had not this concert taken place where would you two have found an opportunity to make each other's acquaintance? Where else could you have caught sight of each other?

ALEXANDER. Dear lady, Miss Natalie must please everybody without concerts, and awaken love in them. Oh, how I bless my fate that it is my happy lot to win her love!

SALOME. And my Nato pleases you, dear son-in-law?

ALEXANDER. Oh, I love her with all my heart, dear madame!

SALOME. If you love her so much, dear son, why did you exact so much money? For the sake of 1,000 rubles this affair almost went to pieces. Your sister Champera swore to me that if we did not give 1,000 rubles more you would this very day betroth yourself to the daughter of Barssegh Leproink.

ALEXANDER. I wonder, Madame Salome, that you should credit such things. I marry Leproink's daughter! I refuse Miss Natalie on her account! forget her beautiful black eyes and her good heart, and run after money! Would not that be shameful in me! I must confess to you freely, dear madame, that my sister's way of doing things is hateful to me. _Fi mauvais genre!_ But let us say no more about it. If only God will help us to a good ending!

SALOME. God grant that neither of you may have anything to regret!--[_rising_] I will come back immediately, dear son-in-law; I am only going to see what is keeping Nato. [_Alexander also rises_.] Keep your seat, I beg of you. How ceremonious you are! I will come right back. [_Exit right_.