swarthy fingers fairly raced over the strings, 'like little spiders,'
and she ended up this time with a jaunty shout of 'Ganda' or 'Gassa,'
and with flashing eyes banged on the table with her little fist.
XVI
Kuzma Vassilyevitch sat as though he were in a dream. His head was
going round. It was all so unexpected.... And the scent, the
singing ... the candles in the daytime ... the sorbet flavoured with
vanilla. And Colibri kept coming closer to him, too; her hair shone and
rustled, and there was a glow of warmth from her--and that melancholy
face.... 'A russalka!' thought Kuzma Vassilyevitch. He felt somewhat
awkward.
'Tell me, my pretty, what put it into your head to invite me to-day?'
'You are young, pretty ... such I like.'
'So that's it! But what will Emilie say? She wrote me a letter: she is
sure to be back directly.'
'You not tell her ... nothing! Trouble! She will kill!'
Kuzma Vassilyevitch laughed.
'As though she were so fierce!'
Colibri gravely shook her head several times.
'And to Madame Fritsche, too, nothing. No, no, no!' She tapped herself
lightly on the forehead. 'Do you understand, officer?'
Kuzma Vassilyevitch frowned.
'It's a secret, then?'
'Yes ... yes.'
'Very well.... I won't say a word. Only you ought to give me a kiss
for that.'
'No, afterwards ... when you are gone.'
'That's a fine idea!' Kuzma Vassilyevitch was bending down to her but
she slowly drew herself back and stood stiffly erect like a snake
startled in the grass. Kuzma Vassilyevitch stared at her. 'Well!' he
said at last, 'you are a spiteful thing! All right, then.'
Colibri pondered and turned to the lieutenant.... All at once there
was the muffled sound of tapping repeated three times at even
intervals somewhere in the house. Colibri laughed, almost snorted.
'To-day--no, to-morrow--yes. Come to-morrow.'
'At what time?'.
'Seven ... in the evening.'
'And what about Emilie?'
'Emilie ... no; will not be here.'
'You think so? Very well. Only, to-morrow you will tell me?'
'What?' (Colibri's face assumed a childish expression every time she
asked a question.)
'Why you have been hiding away from me all this time?'
'Yes ... yes; everything shall be to-morrow; the end shall be.'
'Mind now! And I'll bring you a present.'
'No ... no need.'
'Why not? I see you like fine clothes.'
'No need. This ... this ... this ...' she pointed to her dress, her
rings, her bracelets, and everything about her, 'it is all my own. Not
a present. I do not take.'
'As you like. And now must I go?'
'Oh, yes.'
Kuzma Vassilyevitch got up. Colibri got up, too.
'Good-bye, pretty little doll! And when will you give me a kiss?'
Colibri suddenly gave a little jump and swiftly flinging both arms
round his neck, gave him not precisely a kiss but a peck at his lips.
He tried in his turn to kiss her but she instantly darted back and
stood behind the sofa.
'To-morrow at seven o'clock, then?' he said with some confusion.
She nodded and taking a tress of her long hair with her two fingers,
bit it with her sharp teeth.
Kuzma Vassilyevitch kissed his hand to her, went out and shut the door
after him. He heard Colibri run up to it at once.... The key clicked
in the lock.
XVII
There was no one in Madame Fritsche's drawing-room. Kuzma
Vassilyevitch made his way to the passage at once. He did not want to
meet Emilie. Madame Fritsche met him on the steps.
'Ah, you are going, Mr. Lieutenant?' she said, with the same affected
