Perhaps it is
not you that I love and not for you that I come. Perhaps I love the
peace of this deserted beach. (Here she made a wide gesture with her
arms.) Perhaps I love these lonely sands, with their vast stretch of
sea and sky, and to be away from vile beings. Because you are here is
nothing to me. If this were Serejka's place I should come here. If
your son lived here, I should come too. It would be better still if no
one were here, for I am disgusted with you all. But if I take it into
my head one day--beautiful as I am--I can always choose a man, and one
who'll please me better than you."
"So, so!" hissed Vassili, furiously, and he seized her by the throat.
"So that's your game, is it?"
He shook her, and she did not strive to get away from his grasp,
although her face was congested and her eyes bloodshot. She merely
placed her two hands on the rough hands that were around her throat.
"Ah, now I know you!" Vassili was hoarse with rage. "And yet you said
you loved me, and you kissed me and caressed me? Ah, I'll show you!"
Holding her down to the ground, he struck her repeatedly with his
clenched fist. Finally, fatigued with the exertion, he pushed her away
from him crying:
"There, serpent.
Pages:
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118