Lida was silent. In such stillness one could hear the rippling of the stream.
“We are both unhappy,” said Novikoff, conscious that these words came from the depth of his heart. “Together perhaps we may find life easier.”
Lida’s eyes were filled with tears of gratitude as she turned towards him and murmured, “Perhaps.”
Yet her eyes said, God knows I will be a good wife to you, and love and respect you.
Novikoff read their message. He knelt down impetuously, and seizing her hand, kissed it passionately. Roused by such emotion, Lida forgot her shame.
“That’s over!” she thought, “and I shall be happy again! Dear, good fellow!” Weeping for joy, she gave him both her hands, and bending over his head she kissed his soft, silky hair which she had always admired. A vision rose before her of Sarudine, but it instantly vanished.
When Sanine returned, having given them enough time, as he thought, for a mutual explanation, he found them seated, hand in hand, engaged in quiet talk.
“Aha! I see how it is!” said Sanine gravely.
“Thank God, and be happy.”
He was about to say something else, but sneezed loudly instead.