He made a mumbling sound in confirmation of this, took her hand, and began pressing it to different parts of his breast as if trying to find the right place for it.

“Always thoughts⁠ ⁠… about you⁠ ⁠… thoughts⁠ ⁠…” he then uttered much more clearly than he had done before, now that he was sure of being understood.

Princess Márya pressed her head against his hand, trying to hide her sobs and tears.

He moved his hand over her hair.

“I have been calling you all night⁠ ⁠…” he brought out.

“If only I had known⁠ ⁠…” she said through her tears. “I was afraid to come in.”

He pressed her hand.

“Weren’t you asleep?”

“No, I did not sleep,” said Princess Márya, shaking her head.