There's nothing to be done, of course.
But if you please, order him to pay a fine for the mistake.
I can't undo my luck. But the money would be very useful to me now.
KHLESTAKOV.
All right, all right.
Go now, go.
I'll see to it. [Hands with petitions are thrust through the window.] Who else is out there? [Goes to the window.] No, no.
I don't want to, I don't want to. [Leaves the window.] I'm sick of it, the devil take it!
Don't let them in, Osip.
OSIP [calling through the window].
Go away, go away!
He has no time. Come tomorrow.
The door opens and a figure appears in a shag cloak, with unshaven beard, swollen lip, and a bandage over his cheek. Behind him appear a whole line of others.
OSIP. Go away, go away! What are you crowding in here for? He puts his hands against the stomach of the first one, and goes out through the door, pushing him and banging the door behind.
SCENE XII
Khlestakov and Marya Antonovna.
MARYA.
Oh!
KHLESTAKOV.
What frightened you so, mademoiselle?
MARYA.
I wasn't frightened.
KHLESTAKOV [showing off].
Please, miss.
It's a great pleasure to me that you took me for a man who—May I venture to ask you where you were going?
MARYA.
I really wasn't going anywhere.
KHLESTAKOV.
But why weren't you going anywhere?
MARYA.
I was wondering whether mamma was here.
KHLESTAKOV.
No. I'd like to know why you weren't going anywhere.
MARYA.
I should have been in your way.
You were occupied with important matters.
KHLESTAKOV [showing off].
Your eyes are better than important matters.
You cannot possibly disturb me. No, indeed, by no means. On the contrary, you afford me great pleasure.
MARYA.
You speak like a man from the capital.
KHLESTAKOV.
For such a beautiful lady as you.
May I give myself the pleasure of offering you a chair?
But no, you should have, not a chair, but a throne.
MARYA.
I really don't know—I really must go [She sits down.]
KHLESTAKOV.
What a beautiful scarf that is.
MARYA.