Resurrection

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.