Sinceshehadbegunlookingafterhim, , screeningthelightofthecandlefromhim, , , rapidlymovinghands, , , glancedroundathim, andscreeningthecandlewithherhandstoopedcarefullywithasuppleandexactmovement, pickeduptheball, andregainedherformerposition.
Helookedatherwithoutmovingandsawthatshewantedtodrawadeepbreathafterstooping, butrefrainedfromdoingsoandbreathedcautiously.
AttheTroitsamonasterytheyhadspokenofthepast, andhehadtoldherthatifhelivedhewouldalwaysthankGodforhiswoundwhichhadbroughtthemtogetheragain, butafterthattheyneverspokeofthefuture.
"Canitorcanitnotbe?" henowthoughtashelookedatherandlistenedtothelightclickofthesteelneedles."Canfatehavebroughtmetohersostrangelyonlyformetodie?...IsitpossiblethatthetruthoflifehasbeenrevealedtomeonlytoshowmethatIhavespentmylifeinfalsity? Ilovehermorethananythingintheworld! ButwhatamItodoifIloveher?" hethought, andheinvoluntarilygroaned, fromahabitacquiredduringhissufferings.
OnhearingthatsoundNatashaputdownthestocking, leanednearertohim, andsuddenly, noticinghisshiningeyes, steppedlightlyuptohimandbentoverhim.
"Youarenotasleep?"
"No, ...."
.
"Natasha, Iloveyoutoomuch! Morethananythingintheworld."
"AndI!"—Sheturnedawayforaninstant."Whytoomuch?" sheasked.
"Whytoomuch?...Well, whatdoyou, whatdoyoufeelinyoursoul, yourwholesoul—shallIlive? Whatdoyouthink?"
"Iamsureofit, sure!" Natashaalmostshouted, takingholdofbothhishandswithapassionatemovement.
Heremainedsilentawhile.
"Howgooditwouldbe!" andtakingherhandhekissedit.
