But Naumoff had taken a rapid step forward, and turned the key in the lock. Then he stood still, leaning against the door.
Kamarowsky outside heard him; and thinking it was I, murmured softly: “Good-night! Good-night, my darling!”
Then I was seized with a convulsive fit of laughter. I laughed and laughed, shaken from head to foot by a wild paroxysm of mirth. I could not leave off laughing. I laughed until the laughter became a spasm which racked and agonized me; my teeth chattered, I trembled and quaked; and still the hysterical laughter continued, shaking my entire frame as an aspen is shaken by a brutal hand. I laughed and laughed, trying to laugh softly in order that those three men standing in the dark should not hear me.
The thought of the three men motionless behind the doors made me laugh more than ever. Tears ran down my face, my head felt as if it would burst asunder. And still I rocked in the throes of frantic laughter until body and soul seemed to be shattered and rent....
I staggered and sank to the floor.
Naumoff bent over me. I felt his icy hands passing over my face. Then we remained quite silent in the dark.
Slowly, reluctantly Kamarowsky's footsteps had passed away down the corridor....
I mustered strength enough to whisper to Naumoff: “Go—send Elise to me—quickly!”
Naumoff obeyed.