Page:Leskov - The Sentry and other Stories.djvu/100

 84 Meanwhile Katerina Lvovna heard her husband come to the door and listen, holding his breath. She could even hear the rapid beating of his jealous heart; but she had no sorrow for him, only an evil laugh seized her.

"What's done can't be undone," she thought smiling and breathing like an innocent child.

This lasted for about ten minutes, but at last Zinovey Borisych got tired of standing on the other side of the door listening to his wife's breathing in her sleep, so he knocked.

"Who is there?" called Katerina Lvovna after a little time, feigning a sleepy voice.

"A friend," answered Zinovey Borisych.

"Is it you, Zinovey Borisych?"

"Of course it's I—as if you don't hear?"

Katerina Lvovna jumped out of bed, and in her shift just as she was, let her husband in and again dived into the warm bed.

"It somehow gets cold before dawn," said she wrapping herself up in the quilt.

Zinovey Borisych came in, looked round, said a prayer, lit a candle, and again looked round.

"How are you getting on?" he asked his wife.

"All right," answered Katerina Lvovna, and sitting up she began putting on a loose cotton blouse.