The glow of summer lay on the town. Calm were the nights when thelarge, lustrous moon shone overhead and the air, heavy with odours fromfield and garden, pleasurably soothed the languid senses.
In the daytime people worked, or were engaged in politics or art; ineating, drinking, bathing, conversing. Yet, when the heat grew less,and the bustle and turmoil had ceased, while on the dim horizon themoon's round mysterious disc rose slowly above meadow and field,shedding on roofs and gardens a strange, cold light, then folk began tobreathe more freely, and to live anew, having cast off, as it were, anoppressive cloak.
And, where youth predominated, life became ampler and more free. Thegardens were filled with the melody of nightingales, the meadow-grassesquivered in response to the light touch of a maiden's gown, whileshadows deepened, and in the warm dusk eyes grew brighter and voicesmore tender, for love was in the languid, fragrant air.
Yourii Svarogitsch and Schafroff were both keenly interested inpolitics, and in a recently formed society for mutual education, Youriiread all the latest books, and believed that he had now found hisvocation in life, and a way to end all his doubts. Yet, however much heread, and despite all his activities, life had no charm for him, beingbarren and dreary. Only when in robust health, and when the physicalpart of him was roused by the prospect of falling in love, did lifeseem really desirable. Formerly all pretty young women had interestedhim in equal measure, yet among the rest he now singled out one in whomthe charms of all the others were united, standing apart in herloveliness as a young birch tree stands in springtime on the border ofa wood.
She was tall and shapely, her head was gracefully poised on her white,smooth shoulders, and her voice, in speech sonorous, was in singingsweet. Although her own talents for music and poetry were eminentlypleasing to her, it was in physical effort that her intense vitalityfound its fullest expression. She longed to crush something against herbosom, to stamp her foot on the ground, to laugh and sing, and tocontemplate good-looking young men. There were times when, in the blazeof noon or in the pale moonlight, she felt as if she must suddenly takeoff all clothing, rush across the grass, and plunge into the river toseek some one that with tender accents she longed to allure. Herpresence troubled Yourii. In her company he became more eloquent, hispulses beat faster, and his brain was more alert. All day long histhoughts were of her, and in the evening it was she that he sought,though he never admitted to himself that he did so. He was for everanalysing his feelings, each sentiment withering as a blossom in thefrost. Whenever he asked himself what it was that attracted him to SinaKarsavina, the answer was always "the sexual instinct, and nothingelse." Without knowing why, this explanation provoked intense self-contempt.
Yet a tacit understanding had been established between them and, liketwo mirrors, the emotions of the one were reflected in the other.
Sina Karsavina never troubled to analyse her sentiments which, if theycaused her slight apprehension, yet pleased her vastly. She jealouslyhid them from others, being determined to keep them entirely toherself. It distressed her much that she could not discover what wasreally at work in the handsome young fellow's heart. At times it seemedto her that there was nothing between them, and then she grieved as iffor the loss of something precious. Nevertheless she was not averse toreceiving the attentions of other men, and her belief that Yourii lovedher gave her the elated manner of a bride-elect, making her doublyattractive to other admirers. She was powerfully fascinated by thepresence of Sanine, whose broad shoulders, calm eyes, and deliberatemanner won her regard. When Sina became aware of his effect upon her,she accused herself of want of self-control if not of immodesty;nevertheless she always continued to observe him with great interest.
On the very evening that Lida had undergone such a terrible ordeal,Yourii and Sina met at the library. They merely exchanged greetings,and went about their business, she to choose books, and he to look atthe latest Petersburg newspapers. They happened, however, to leave thebuilding together and walked along the lonely, moonlit streets side byside. All was silent as the grave, and one could only hear at intervalsthe watchman's rattle, and the distant bark of a dog.
On reaching the boulevard they were aware of a merry party sittingunder the tress. They heard laughter; and the gleam of a lightedcigarette revealed for an instant a fair moustache. Just as they passeda man's voice sang:
The heart affair lady Is wayward as the wind across the wheat...
When they got within a short distance of Sina's home they sat down on abench where it was very dark. In front of them lay the broad street,all white in the moonlight, and the church topped by a cross thatgleamed as a star above the black linden trees.
"Look! How pretty that is!" exclaimed Sina, as she pointed to thechurch. Yourii glanced admiringly at her white shoulder which, in thecostume of Little Russia that she wore, was exposed to view. He longedto clasp her in his arms and kiss her full red lips. It seemed as if hemust do so, and as if she expected and desired this. But he let thepropitious moment pass, laughing gently, almost mockingly, to himself.
"Why do you laugh?"
"Oh! I don't know!--nothing!" replied Yourii nervously, trying toappear unmoved.
They were both silent as they listened to faint sounds that came tothem through the darkness.
"Have you ever been in love?" asked Sina, suddenly.
"Yes," said Yourii slowly. 'Suppose I tell her?' he thought. Then,aloud, "I am in love now."
"With whom?" she asked, fearing to hear the answer, while yet certainthat she knew it.
"With you, of course," replied Yourii, vainly assuming playful tone ashe leant forward and gazed into her eyes, that shone strangely in thegloom. They expressed surprise and expectancy. Yourii longed to embraceher, yet again his courage failed him, and he pretended to stifle ayawn.
"He's only in fun!" thought Sina, growing suddenly cool.
She felt hurt at such hesitation on Yourii's part. To keep back hertears, she clenched her teeth, and in an altered tone exclaimed"Nonsense!" as she quickly got up.
"I am speaking quite seriously," began Yourii, with unnaturalearnestness. "I love you, believe me, I do, passionately!"
Sina took up her books without saying a word.
"Why, why does he talk like this?" she thought to herself. "I've lethim see that I care, and now he despises me."
Yourii bent down to pick up a book that had fallen.
"It is time to go home," she said coldly. Yourii felt grieved that shewanted to go just at that moment, but he thought at the same time thathe had played his part quite successfully, and without in the leastappearing commonplace. Then he said, impressively: "Au revoir!"
She held out her hand. He swiftly bent over it and kissed it. Sinastarted back, uttering a faint cry: "What are you doing?"
Though his lips had only just touched her soft little hand, his emotionwas so great that he could only smile feebly as she hurried away, andsoon he heard the click of her garden gate. As he walked homewards hisface wore the same silly smile, while he breathed the pure night air,and felt strong, and glad of heart.