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 "It is a shame to interrupt him, but he has plenty of time. I must see his face; will he feel how I am looking at him I will will for him to turn round. There, I will make him."

And she opened her eyes as wide as she could, as if to concentrate more strength into her gaze.

"Yes, they attract all the best sap and give a false appearance of wealth," murmured Levin, ceasing to write, and conscious that she was looking at him and smiling. He turned around.

"What is it?" he asked, smiling, and getting up.

"He did turn round," she thought. "Nothing; I only willed to make you turn around," and she looked at him as if to fathom whether he was vexed or not because she had disturbed him.

"Well, how good it is to be alone together! For me, at least," said he, radiant with joy, going to where she sat.

"I am so happy here! I never, never, want to go away again, especially not to Moscow."

"But what were you thinking about?"

"I? I was thinking. ...no, no; go on with your writing! don't let your mind be distracted," she replied, pouting. "I must cut all these eyelet-holes now; do you see?"

And she took her scissors and began to snip.

"No; tell me what you were thinking about!" he insisted, sitting down near her, and following all the movements of her little scissors.

"Oh! What was I thinking about? About Moscow and—the nape of your neck!"

"What have I done to deserve this great happiness? It is supernatural. It is too good," said he, kissing her hand.

"To me, on the contrary, the happier I am the more natural I find it!"

"You have a little stray curl," he said, turning her head around carefully.

"A stray curl? let it be. We must think about serious things."

But their conference was interrupted; and, when