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Before she goes to bed, her bell calls ht, I had horrible drea alone Take one of the cushions from the ottoman, and lie down on the bearskin at hts The only illumination in the roo She herself got into bed "Don't stir, so as not to wake me"

I did as she had co ti on her back on the dark sleeping-furs; her arms beneath her neck, with a flood of red hair over theular breathing, and whenever she htly I woke up and listened to see whether she needed me

But she did not require me

No task was required of ht- lamp, or a revolver which one places under one's pillow

Am I mad or is she? Does all this arise out of an inventive, wanton wo my super sensual fantasies, or is this woman really one of those Neronian characters who take a diabolical pleasure in treading underfoot, like a wors and a will like theirs?

What have I experienced?

When I knelt with the coffee-tray beside her bed, Wanda suddenly placed her hand on ed deep into mine

"What beautiful eyes you have," she said softly, "and especially now since you suffer Are you very unhappy?"

I bowed my head, and kept silent

"Severin, do you still love me," she suddenly exclaimed passionately, "can you still love me?"

She drew me close with such vehemence that the coffee-tray upset, the can and cups fell to the floor, and the coffee ran over the carpet

"Wanda--ainst me; I covered her mouth, face, and breast with kisses

"It is my unhappiness that I love you more and more madly the worse you treat me, the more frequently you betray me Oh, I shall die of pain and love and jealousy"

"But I haven't betrayed you, as yet, Severin," replied Wanda s

"Not? Wanda! Don't jest so mercilessly with me," I cried "Haven't I myself taken the letter to the Prince--"