Sanine

She felt unspeakably happy beneath Sanine's burning caress, and in that

moment cared not who it was that kissed her, just as a flower warmed by

the sun never asks whence comes such warmth.

"What is the matter with me?" she thought, pleasurably alarmed. "Ah!

yes! I wanted to drown myself ... how silly! And for what? Oh! that's

nice! Again! Again! Now, I'll kiss you! It's lovely! And I don't care

what happens so long as I'm alive, alive!"

"There, now, you see," said Sanine, releasing her. "All good things are

just good, and one mustn't make them out to be anything else."

Lida smiled absently, and slowly re-arranged her hair. Sanine handed

her the parasol and glove. To find the other glove was missing at first

surprised her, but instantly recollecting the reason, she felt greatly

amused at the absurd importance which she had given to that trifling

incident.

"Ah! well, that's over!" she thought, and walked with her brother along

the river-bank. Fiercely the sun's rays beat upon her round, ripe

bosom.