Page:Best Russian Short Stories.djvu/228

208 persuasive whispering sounded in my ears as if it came through a dream. . ..

There we lay till dawn. . ..

And when the dawn came, we crept from behind the skiff and went into the town. . . . Then we took friendly leave of each other and never met again, although for half a year I searched in every hole and corner for that kind Natasha, with whom I spent the autumn night just described.

If she be already dead—and well for her if it were so—may she rest in peace! And if she be alive. . . still I say "Peace to her soul!" And may the consciousness of her fall never enter her soul. . . for that would be a superfluous and fruitless suffering if life is to be lived. . ..