Chapter 90

TATYÁNA _alone_

TATYÁNA. [_As soon as her husband goes_] Well, good-by! At last he's gone! I'm unfortunate, unfortunate! They say one ought to love one's husband; but how can I love him? He's vulgar, uneducated--and he fondles me as a bear would! Sits there--and swaggers like a peasant; and I have to pretend to love him, to humor him; how disgusting! I'd give anything on earth not to have to do that. But how can I help it! I have to submit to one I don't love! [_Silence_] I wonder where everybody is? Here I am all alone! Such loneliness! [_Sits down at the window_] Even the streets are deserted, and there's no one to look at. Where's my sister? [_Sings softly_.

"O, mother I'm sad! Sad, my lady! My heart is cast down, Cast down and aching; My beloved knows not How my heart is bleeding."