And purring like a cat she rubbed herself against his shoulder.
He glanced furtively towards the cabin and bending down embraced the young woman.
"To try me?" he repeated. "As if you wanted to do that? You see the result?"
"Oh, that's nothing!" said Malva, half closing her eyes. "I'm not angry. You beat me only because you loved me. You'll make it up to me."
She gave him a long look, trembled and lowering her voice repeated:
"Oh, yes, you'll make it up to me."
Vassili interpreted her words in a sense agreeable to him.
"How?" he asked.
"You'll see," replied Malva calmly, very calmly, but her lips trembled.
"Ah, my darling!" cried Vassili, clasping her close in his arms. "Do you know that since I have beaten you I love you better." Her head fell back on his shoulders and he placed his lips on her trembling mouth.