"I am falling, morally and mentally!" he would at times think with
horror. "It's not in vain that I read somewhere, or heard from
some one, that the connection of a cultured man with a woman of
little intellect will never elevate her to the level of the man,
but, on the contrary, will bow him down and sink him to the mental
and moral outlook of the woman."
And after two weeks she ceased to excite his imagination entirely.
He gave in, as to violence, to the long-continued caresses,
entreaties, and often even to pity.
Yet at the same time Liubka, who had rested and felt living, real
soil under her, began to improve in looks with unusual rapidity,
just as a flower bud, that but yesterday was almost dying,
suddenly unfolds after a plentiful and warm rain. The freckles ran
off her soft face, and the uncomprehending, troubled expression,
like that of a young jackdaw, had disappeared from the dark eyes,
and they had grown brighter and had begun to sparkle. The body
grew stronger and filled out; the lips grew red. But Lichonin,
seeing Liubka every day, did not notice this and did not believe
those compliments which were showered upon her by his friends.
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