He did not reply at once.
“Business!” he articulated, looking down on the ground.
I saw that it was difficult for him to dissemble in answering a question I put so frankly.
“Listen,” said I, “you know what this day is to me. In many ways it is a great day. If I question you, it is not only to show my interest in you (you know I am used to you, and fond of you), I question you because I must know. Why are you going away?”
“It is excessively difficult to tell you the truth, to tell you why I am going away. During this week I have thought a great deal of you and of myself, and I have decided that it is necessary for me to go. You understand ... why? And if you love me, do not question me!”
He passed his hand across his brow, and, covering his eyes again with the same hand, he added:
“This is painful to me.... But you understand, Katia!”
My heart began to beat hard in my breast.
“I cannot understand,” said I, “I cannot do it; but you, speak to me, in the name of God, in the name of this day, speak to me, I can hear everything calmly.”
He changed his attitude, looked at me, and caught the branch of lilac again.