Now you've got what you deserved."
Without a complaint, silent and calm, Malva fell back on her back, all
crumpled, red and still beautiful. Her green eyes watched him furtively
under the lashes, and burned with a cold flame full of hatred, but he,
gasping with excitement and satisfied with the punishment he had
inflicted, did not notice the look, and when he stooped down towards her
to see if she was crying, she smiled up at him gently.
He looked at her, not understanding and not knowing what to do next.
Should he beat her again? But his fury was appeased, and he had no
desire to recommence.
"How you love me!" she whispered.
Vassili felt hot all over.
"All right! all right! the devil take you," he said gloomily. "Are you
satisfied now?"
"Was I not foolish, Vassili? I thought you no longer loved me! I said
to myself, 'now his son is here he will neglect me for him.'"
And she burst out laughing, a strange forced laugh.
"Foolish girl!" said Vassili, smiling in spite of himself.
He felt himself at fault, and was sorry for her, but remembering what
she had said, he went on crossly:
"My son has nothing to do with it.
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