Nekhludoff walked up and down behind the corner of the house, and
once or twice got into a puddle. Then again came up to the
window. The lamp was still burning, and she was again sitting
alone by the table as if uncertain what to do. He had hardly
approached the window when she looked up. He knocked. Without
looking who it was she at once ran out of the room, and he heard
the outside door open with a snap. He waited for her near the
side porch and put his arms round her without saying a word. She
clung to him, put up her face, and met his kiss with her lips.
Then the door again gave the same sort of snap and opened, and
the voice of Matrona Pavlovna called out angrily, "Katusha!"
She tore herself away from him and returned into the maids' room.
He heard the latch click, and then all was quiet. The red light
disappeared and only the mist remained, and the bustle on the
river went on. Nekhludoff went up to the window, nobody was to be
seen; he knocked, but got no answer. He went back into the house
by the front door, but could not sleep. He got up and went with
bare feet along the passage to her door, next to Matrona Pavlovna's
room. He heard Matrona Pavlovna snoring quietly, and was about to
go on when she coughed and turned on her creaking bed, and his
heart fell, and he stood immovable for about five minutes. When
all was quiet and she began to snore peacefully again, he went
on, trying to step on the boards that did not creak, and came to
Katusha's door. There was no sound to be heard. She was probably
awake, or else he would have heard her breathing. But as soon as
he had whispered "Katusha" she jumped up and began to persuade
him, as if angrily, to go away.
"Open! Let me in just for a moment! I implore you!" He hardly knew
what he was saying.
* * * * * * * When she left him, trembling and silent, giving no answer to his
words, he again went out into the porch and stood trying to
understand the meaning of what had happened.
It was getting lighter. From the river below the creaking and
tinkling and sobbing of the breaking ice came still louder and a
gurgling sound could now also be heard. The mist had begun to
sink, and from above it the waning moon dimly lighted up
something black and weird.
"What was the meaning of it all? Was it a great joy or a great
misfortune that had befallen him?" he asked himself.