“Natásha, I love you too much! More than anything in the world.”

“And I!”⁠—She turned away for an instant. “Why too much?” she asked.

“Why too much?⁠ ⁠… Well, what do you, what do you feel in your soul, your whole soul⁠—shall I live? What do you think?”

“I am sure of it, sure!” Natásha almost shouted, taking hold of both his hands with a passionate movement.

He remained silent awhile.

“How good it would be!” and taking her hand he kissed it.

Natásha felt happy and agitated, but at once remembered that this would not do and that he had to be quiet.

“But you have not slept,” she said, repressing her joy. “Try to sleep⁠ ⁠… please!”