𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟒 (𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓)

"What made me?... But you were alone; that gentleman was too insolent; it's

night. You must admit that it was a duty...."

"No, no; I mean before, on the other side-you know you meant to come up to

me."

"On the other side? Really I don't know how to answer; I am afraid to.... Do you

know I have been happy to-day? I walked along singing; I went out into the

country; I have never had such happy moments. You ... perhaps it was my

fancy.... Forgive me for referring to it; I fancied you were crying, and I ... could

not bear to hear it ... it made my heart ache.... Oh, my goodness! Surely I might

be troubled about you? Surely there was no harm in feeling brotherly

compassion for you.... I beg your pardon, I said compassion.... Well, in short,

surely you would not be offended at my involuntary impulse to go up to you?..."

"Stop, that's enough, don't talk of it," said the girl, looking down, and pressing

my hand. "It's my fault for having spoken of it; but I am glad I was not mistaken

in you.... But here I am home; I must go down this turning, it's two steps from

here.... Good-bye, thank you!..."

"Surely ... surely you don't mean ... that we shall never see each other again?...

Surely this is not to be the end?"

"You see," said the girl, laughing, "at first you only wanted two words, and

now.... However, I won't say anything ... perhaps we shall meet...."

"I shall come here to-morrow," I said. "Oh, forgive me, I am already making

demands...."

"Yes, you are not very patient ... you are almost insisting."

"Listen, listen!" I interrupted her. "Forgive me if I tell you something else.... I

tell you what, I can't help coming here to-morrow, I am a dreamer; I have so

little real life that I look upon such moments as this now, as so rare, that I cannot

help going over such moments again in my dreams. I shall be dreaming of you

all night, a whole week, a whole year. I shall certainly come here to-morrow, just

here to this place, just at the same hour, and I shall be happy remembering to-

day. This place is dear to me already. I have already two or three such places inPetersburg. I once shed tears over memories ... like you.... Who knows, perhaps

you were weeping ten minutes ago over some memory.... But, forgive me, I have

forgotten myself again; perhaps you have once been particularly happy here...."

"Very good," said the girl, "perhaps I will come here to-morrow, too, at ten

o'clock. I see that I can't forbid you.... The fact is, I have to be here; don't

imagine that I am making an appointment with you; I tell you beforehand that I

have to be here on my own account. But ... well, I tell you straight out, I don't

mind if you do come. To begin with, something unpleasant might happen as it

did to-day, but never mind that.... In short, I should simply like to see you ... to

say two words to you. Only, mind, you must not think the worse of me now!

Don't think I make appointments so lightly.... I shouldn't make it except that....

But let that be my secret! Only a compact beforehand...."

"A compact! Speak, tell me, tell me all beforehand; I agree to anything, I am

ready for anything," I cried delighted. "I answer for myself, I will be obedient,

respectful ... you know me...."

"It's just because I do know you that I ask you to come to-morrow," said the girl,

laughing. "I know you perfectly. But mind you will come on the condition, in the

first place (only be good, do what I ask-you see, I speak frankly), you won't fall

in love with me.... That's impossible, I assure you. I am ready for friendship;

here's my hand.... But you mustn't fall in love with me, I beg you!"

"I swear," I cried, gripping her hand....

"Hush, don't swear, I know you are ready to flare up like gunpowder. Don't think

ill of me for saying so. If only you knew.... I, too, have no one to whom I can say

a word, whose advice I can ask. Of course, one does not look for an adviser in

the street; but you are an exception. I know you as though we had been friends

for twenty years.... You won't deceive me, will you?..."

"You will see ... the only thing is, I don't know how I am going to survive the

next twenty-four hours."

"Sleep soundly. Good-night, and remember that I have trusted you already. But

you exclaimed so nicely just now, 'Surely one can't be held responsible for every

feeling, even for brotherly sympathy!' Do you know, that was so nicely said, thatthe idea struck me at once, that I might confide in you?"

"For God's sake do; but about what? What is it?"

"Wait till to-morrow. Meanwhile, let that be a secret. So much the better for you;

it will give it a faint flavour of romance. Perhaps I will tell you to-morrow, and

perhaps not.... I will talk to you a little more beforehand; we will get to know

each other better...."

"Oh yes, I will tell you all about myself to-morrow! But what has happened? It is

as though a miracle had befallen me.... My God, where am I? Come, tell me

aren't you glad that you were not angry and did not drive me away at the first

moment, as any other woman would have done? In two minutes you have made

me happy for ever. Yes, happy; who knows, perhaps, you have reconciled me

with myself, solved my doubts!... Perhaps such moments come upon me.... But

there I will tell you all about it to-morrow, you shall know everything,

everything...."

"Very well, I consent; you shall begin...."

"Agreed."

"Good-bye till to-morrow!"

"Till to-morrow!"

And we parted. I walked about all night; I could not make up my mind to gohome. I was so happy.... To-morrow!