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93

“Give me your hand,” said Niemoviecki.

With some hesitation she did so; and her light touch served to qualify the darkness.

Their steady hands joined, and Tenaida even moved a little distance from her companion.

Again they were moved by a wish to speak about rare beauty, and mysterious love, and to speak of them in such a manner as not to disturb the prevailing silence, to speak indeed, but not with words, only by looks. At once they understood how necessary it was to cast glances at each other; but although they wished to do so, they did not dare.

“Oh, look; there are some more people coming!” she exclaimed cheerfully.

III.

In a meadow, where it was lighter,