"But that's nothing--he's kind and a
good sort. Only a trifle homely." And, having smiled with a half-
sleepy smile, she said in a tone of capricious reproach:
"Ye--es! You'll fool me, never fear. All of you men are like that.
You just gain yours at first, to get your pleasure, and then--no
attention whatsoever!"
"I? Oh? That I should do this!" Lichonin exclaimed warmly and even
smote himself on the chest with his free hand. "Then you know me
very badly! I'm too honest a man to be deceiving a defenseless
girl. No! I'll exert all my powers and all my soul to educate your
mind, to widen your outlook, to compel your poor heart, which has
suffered so, to forget all the wounds and wrongs which life has
inflicted upon it. I will be a father and a brother to you! I
shall safeguard your every step! And if you will come to love
somebody with a truly pure, holy love, then I shall bless that day
and hour when I had snatched you out of this Dantean hell!"
During the continuation of this flaming tirade the old cabby with
great significance, although silently, began laughing, and from
this inaudible laughter his back shook.
Pages:
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308