Sanine - Page 200/233

"After all, it's simple enough," he said to himself, by way of

explanation. "She has always lived in that sort of world. It's just a

provincial romance. Well, what if it is?"

The water rippled gently on each side of the boat that brought him

nearer and nearer to the green hill. On reaching the shore, Yourii in

his excitement gave the boatman half a rouble and began to climb the

slopes. Signs of approaching dusk were already perceptible. Long

shadows lay at the foot of the hill, and heavy mists rose from the

earth, hiding the yellow tint of the foliage, so that the forest looked

as green and dense as in summer. The court-yard of the monastery was

silent and solemn as the interior of a church. The grave, tall poplars

looked as if they were praying, and like shadows the dark forms of

monks moved hither and thither. At the church-porch lamps glimmered,

and in the air there was a faint odour either of incense or of faded

poplar-leaves.

"Hullo, Svarogitsch!" shouted some one behind him.

Yourii turned round, and saw Schafroff, Sanine, Ivanoff and Peter

Ilitch, who came across the court-yard, talking loudly and merrily. The

monks glanced apprehensively in their direction and even the poplars

seemed to lose something of their devotional calm.

"We've all come here, too," said Schafroff, approaching Yourii whom he

revered.

"So I see," muttered Yourii irritably.

"You'll join our party, won't you?" asked Schafroff as he came nearer.

"No, thank you, I am engaged," said Yourii, with some impatience.

"Oh! that's all right! You'll come along with us, I know," exclaimed

Ivanoff, as he good-humouredly caught hold of his arm. Yourii

endeavoured to free himself, and for a while a droll struggle took

place.

"No, no, damn it all, I can't!" cried Yourii, almost angry now.

"Perhaps I'll join you later." Such rough pleasantry on Ivanoff's part

was not at all to his liking.

"All right," said Ivanoff, as he released him, not noticing his

irritation. "We will wait for you, so mind you come."

"Very well."

Thus, laughing and gesticulating, they departed. The court-yard became

silent and solemn as before. Yourii took off his cap, and in a mood

half-mocking, half shy, he entered the church. He at once perceived

Sina, close to one of the dark pillars. In her grey jacket and round

straw-hat she looked like a school-girl. His heart beat faster. She

seemed so sweet, so charming, with her black hair in a neat coil at the

back of her pretty white neck. It was this air de pensioner while

being a tall, well-grown, shapely young woman, that to him was so

intensely alluring. Conscious of his gaze, she looked round, and in her

dark eyes there was an expression of shy pleasure.