And she, not taking her bottomless eyes off him, replied:
"God be praised."
"But that you, little Miss, should not fear to go out in such turbulent times!"
"The lackey was afraid, but I do not fear anything and wanted to see for myself how you were."
"There is a daring body for me! I am grateful to you, little Miss. Since this stupid strike of hackmen ended to-day, it is better for you to return by hack. Please accept this--for--"
While saying this, he began to search for his purse, and taking a five-rouble gold piece, he offered it to her. At the same time he felt that he was doing something improper, and even terrible. It was so disagreeable to him that he became confused and reddened, but it seemed to him that any other method of showing his gratitude would be food for the feeling which he perceived in her and which he wished to dispel, because of some strange kind of fear intensified even by the fact that the girl was Miss Anney's maid.
Therefore he began to repeat with a forced and slightly silly smile:
"Please, Panna Pauly, take it, please--"
But she withdrew her hand and her face darkened in a moment.
"I thank you," she said. "I did not come for that."