Act 4, Scenes 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 Summary

Scene 12 - Maria comes in, immediately becoming nervous and flustered at being in the presence of such a great man as "the inspector." Khlestakov flirts with her and compliments her, using extravagant language that Maria says must be the kind of talk men use in St. Petersburg. When he persists in his compliments, Maria says she has to go, but then sits down. She tries to make casual small talk, and when he speaks in increasingly romantic tones, she becomes flustered. When Khlestakov sits close to her, she moves away. He sits closer, she moves away. He moves closer, she pretends to watch a bird. He kisses her shoulder, and she says he has gone too far. He tries to apologize, and she starts to leave. Khlestakov finally protests that he loves her, falling to his knees to beg...