“Yes, daroga⁠ ⁠… I felt her tears flow on my forehead⁠ ⁠… on mine, mine!⁠ ⁠… They were soft⁠ ⁠… they were sweet!⁠ ⁠… They trickled under my mask⁠ ⁠… they mingled with my tears in my eyes⁠ ⁠… they flowed between my lips.⁠ ⁠… Listen, daroga, listen to what I did.⁠ ⁠… I tore off my mask so as not to lose one of her tears⁠ ⁠… and she did not run away!⁠ ⁠… And she did not die!⁠ ⁠… She remained alive, weeping over me, with me. We cried together! I have tasted all the happiness the world can offer!”

And Erik fell into a chair, choking for breath: