Uros stood looking at her without answering; in his nervousness he was quivering from head to foot, undecided whether he was to kiss her or not.
"Oh, I see, you don't want to tell me; you are afraid I'll not keep my promise!"
"I can ask to be paid beforehand; give me a kiss first, and I'll tell you afterwards."
Having got it out he heaved a deep sigh of relief, for he was glad it was over.
"Here, in the street?" she asked, with a forced smile.
He advanced up to her and she retreated into the house. He was obliged to follow her now, almost in spite of himself; moreover, he could hardly drag himself after her, for he had, all at once, got to be as heavy as lead.
As soon as they were both within the house, she closed the door, and leant her back against it. Then there was an awkward pause of some minutes, for neither of them knew what to do, or what to say. She took courage, however, and looking at him lovingly:
"Now tell me, will you?" said she.
As she uttered these words they clasped each other's hands, whilst their eyes uttered what their lips durst not express; then, as Uros stood there in front of Milena, he felt as if she was drawing him on, and the walls of the room began to spin round and round.
"Why, it is the loss of hair that makes people bald," he muttered in a hot, feverish whisper, the panting tone of which evidently meant—