On the Bright Shore
"Aa!" exclaimed she, breathing deeply, "I feel the beginning of neuralgia, and I know not myself what is happening to me."
"They tormented you?"
"Yes, yes — and more than tormented!"
"Why do you invite them?"
She approached him feverishly, as if losing control of her nerves, and said,—
"Sit quietly, do not move! I cannot tell—perhaps I destroy myself in your eyes; but I need this as a medicine. Oh, yes! To remain a moment in this way at the side of an honest man—a moment in this way!"
All at once her eyelids were bedewed abundantly; but she put her finger to her lips time after time as a sign not to speak, and to let her remain silent.
But Svirski was moved, since he had always grown soft as wax at sight of woman’s tears. The confidence which she showed him, conquered the man and filled his heart with tenderness. He understood that the decisive moment had come, so, putting his arm around her, he said,—
38
