Page:Complete Works of Count Tolstoy - 18.djvu/141

 I did not suspect a thing, but they had an understanding long before.

. Oh, oh, what an affair!

. The farther it went, the more they began to hide it from me. Ah, friend, I am tired, I am tired of my life. It would be different if I did not love him!

. Yes, it is bad.

. It pains me, friend, to be wronged by him in such a manner. Oh, it pains me!

. They say that he has become rough in his ways.

. Yes, that is so. Formerly he used to be peaceful when he drank; he used to strike me before, but he loved me; now, when he fills himself up with drink, he rushes against me and wants to trample upon me. The other day he stuck his hands into my braids, and I had the hardest time to get away from him. And the girl is worse than a snake. I wonder how the earth can bring forth such evil ones!

. Oh, oh, oh, friend! You look pretty well worn out! It is hard to bear it all. You picked him up when he was a beggar, and this is the way he treats you. Shall you not try to stop him?

. Oh, my dear friend! What shall I do with my heart? My former husband was very severe, but I twisted him as I wanted; I cannot do so with this one. The moment I see him my heart softens. I have no courage against him: I walk around before him like a wet chicken.

. Oh, oh, friend! You must be bewitched. They say Matréna does such things. It must be she who has done it.

. I think so myself, my friend. I sometimes feel so angry, I should like to tear him to pieces; but the moment I see him my heart does not allow me to raise my hands against him.

. There is no doubt, you are bewitched. It