“The most curious thing is that I am not in the least afraid of you. You are such a dear, I am sure of it! You would never think of going to the Bureau and reporting that I drink liqueurs and smoke. You will be sick or busy, or I don’t know what.⁠ ⁠… Furthermore, I am sure you will drink this charming poison with me.”

What an impertinent, mocking tone! I felt definitely that in a moment I should hate her. (Why in a moment? In fact I hated her all the time.)

I-330 turned over the little glass of green poison straight into her mouth. Then she stood up, and all rosy through the translucent saffron-yellow tissue, she made a few steps and stopped behind my chair.⁠ ⁠… Suddenly her arms were about my neck⁠ ⁠… her lips grew into mine, no, even somewhere much deeper, much more terribly.⁠ ⁠… I swear all this was very unexpected for me. That is why perhaps⁠ ⁠… for I could not (at this moment I see clearly) I could not myself have the desire to.⁠ ⁠…