On the Bright Shore
"Stay with me forever; give me a right to yourself."
Pani Elzen made no answer; great tears were flowing from her eyes, but they were silent tears.
"Be mine," repeated Svirski.
She put her hand on his other shoulder, and nestled up to him as a child to its mother.
Svirski, bending over, kissed her forehead, then he fell to kissing tears from her eyes, and gradually the flame seized him; in a moment he caught her in his athletic arms, pressed her with all his strength to his breast, and sought her lips with his lips. But she defended herself.
"No! no!" said she, with panting voice. "Thou art not like others, — later! No! no! Have pity!"
Svirski held her in his embrace; she bent backward; at that moment he was just like other men; happily for Pani Elzen, there was a knock at the door. They sprang apart.
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