‘Good-bye!’ I heard her voice.
‘Till to-morrow,’ Gagin said after her.
The boat reached the other side. I got out and looked about me. No
one could be seen now on the opposite bank. The streak of moonlight
stretched once more like a bridge of gold right across the river.
Like a farewell, the air of the old-fashioned Lanner waltz drifted
across. Gagin was right; I felt every chord in my heart vibrating
in response to its seductive melody. I started homewards across the
darkening fields, drinking in slowly the fragrant air, and reached
my room, deeply stirred by the voluptuous languor of vague, endless
anticipation. I felt happy.… But why was I happy? I desired nothing, I
thought of nothing.… I was happy.
Almost laughing from excess of sweet, light-hearted emotions, I dived
into my bed, and was just closing my eyes, when all at once it struck
me that I had not once all the evening remembered my cruel charmer.…
‘What’s the meaning of it?’ I wondered to myself; ‘is it possible I’m
not in love?’ But though I asked myself this question, I fell asleep, I
think, at once, like a baby in its cradle.