Next morning I waited for her at tea in the dining-room; meanwhile she, after dressing, went by another door to the garden, for I saw her through the window against the background of the cherry-tree. I ran to her immediately; she turned, pushed her head toward the tree, as if wishing to hide from me.
I thought that she was jesting; so creeping up quietly, I caught her by the waist, and said,—
"Good-morning. But who is hiding from her husband? What art thou doing here?"
Then I saw that she was blushing, that she was avoiding my eyes and turning away from me really.
"What is the matter with thee, Tola?" asked I.
"See," answered she, confused, "the wind is shaking the blossoms from the cherry-trees."
"Let it take them," said I, "if only thou wilt stay with me."
And I bent her head toward mine; but she whispered with closed eyes, —
"Do not look at me; go away—"
But at the same time her lips pushed toward me almost passionately, and I met them with delight.