Page:Complete Works of Count Tolstoy - 01.djvu/138

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
106
CHILDHOOD

his power over me, he doubtless was sorry for it, though he endeavoured to be as indifferent as possible.

It was the first time in my life that I was false to my love, and for the first time I experienced the pleasure of that sensation. It was a joy for me to exchange my worn-out sentiment of habitual loyalty for the fresh sentiment of love, full of mystery and uncertainty. Besides, to fall in love and cease loving at the same time means to love twice as much as before.