She put her hand on his other shoulder, and nestled up to him as a child to its mother.
Svirski, bending over, kissed her forehead, then he fell to kissing tears from her eyes, and gradually the flame seized him; in a moment he caught her in his athletic arms, pressed her with all his strength to his breast, and sought her lips with his lips. But she defended herself.
"No! no!" said she, with panting voice. "Thou art not like others—later! No! no! Have pity!"
Svirski held her in his embrace; she bent backward; at that moment he was just like other men; happily for Pani Elzen, there was a knock at the door. They sprang apart.
"Who is there?" inquired Pani Elzen, impatiently.
The gloomy head of Kresovich appeared in the doorway.
"Pardon me," said he, in a broken voice. "Romulus is coughing, and perhaps he has a fever; I thought it necessary to inform you."
Svirski stood up.
"Should you not send for a doctor?"
Pani Elzen had recovered her usual self-possession already.