Then, with infinite precautions, with eyes staring and terror-filled, like one who yields to an overwhelming temptation or performs some deed of insane daring, Bozevsky would turn his sad face slowly round, and let his cheek sink into the pillow.
His fair curls encircled with flaxen gaiety his spent and desolate face.
XVIII
Alone with him during those long terrible hours, my anguish and my terror constantly increased. At last I could endure it no longer and I telegraphed to Stahl:
“Come immediately.”
At dusk the following day Stahl arrived.
I had hoped to derive courage and consolation from his presence. But as soon as he stepped upon the threshold my heart turned faint within me. Thinner and more spectral than ever, with hair dishevelled and eyes sunken and dull, he looked dreamily at me, while a continual tremor shook his hands.
I greeted him timorously, and the touch of his chill, flaccid fingers made me shudder.
Bozevsky seemed glad to see him. Stretching out his wasted hand to him he said at once: