KULIGIN. They say she was seen here.

KABANOV. Is it certain?

KULIGIN. They say they saw her.

KABANOV. Thank God, if she has been seen alive.

MME. KABANOVA. And you in such a fright already and crying over it! There's no need. She's not worth fretting about! Don't worry yourself, we shall have our hands full with her for many a long year yet.

KABANOV. Who would have dreamed of her coming here! A place so frequented. No one would ever think of hiding here.

MME. KABANOVA. That's just her way! The shameless hussy! She wants to keep up her character, it seems!

[A crowd with torches collects, coming in from different directions.

ONE OF THE CROWD. Well, is she found?

MME. KABANOVA. It seems not. She seems to have vanished into the earth.

SEVERAL VOICES. How strange! It's a queer thing. And where could she hide?

ONE OF THE CROWD. Oh, she'll be found!

A SECOND. Of course she'll be found!

A THIRD. To be sure, she'll come back of herself.

[A voice behind the scene: "Hi, boat there!"

KULIGIN (from the bank). Who's calling? What is it?

[The voice: "A woman's thrown herself into the water!" Kuligin and several men after him run out.