Shuo Yu Liu Jin Wang

She made no answer and turned her head away.

"What then? He is young, handsome and, I suppose, rich -- which is the chief thing -- and you are afraid?" . . .

I glanced at her and was alarmed. Profound despair was depicted upon her countenance; tears were glistening in her eyes.

"Tell me," she whispered at length, "do you find it very amusing to torture me? I ought to hate you. Since we have known each other, you have given me naught but suffering" . . .

Her voice shook; she leaned over to me, and let her head sink upon my breast.

"Perhaps," I reflected, "it is for that very reason that you have loved me; joys are forgotten, but sorrows never" . . .

I clasped her closely to my breast, and so we remained for a long time. At length our lips drew closer and became blent in a fervent, intoxicating kiss. Her hands were cold as ice; her head was burning.

And hereupon we embarked upon one of those conversations which, on paper, have no sense, which it is impossible to repeat, and impossible even to retain in memory. The meaning of the sounds replaces and completes the meaning of the words, as in Italian opera.