With hands tucked under her white apron, the maidservant still stood
motionless on the veranda, enjoying the soft autumnal air.
Like a thief, Yourii crept behind the oak-tree, so that no one should
see him from the veranda, and with startling suddenness shot himself in
the chest.
"Missed fire!" he thought with delight, longing to live, and dreading
death. But above him he saw the topmost branches of the oak-tree
against the azure sky, and the yellow cat that leapt away in alarm.
Uttering a shriek, the maid-servant rushed indoors. Immediately
afterwards it seemed to Yourii as if he were surrounded by a huge crowd
of people. Some one poured cold water on his head, and a yellow leaf
stuck to his brow, much to his discomfort. He heard excited voices on
all sides, and some one sobbing, and crying out: "Youra, Youra! Oh!
why, why?"
"That's Lialia!" thought Yourii. Opening his eyes wide, he began to
struggle violently, as in a frenzy he screamed:
"Send for the doctor--quick!"
But to his horror he felt that all was over--that now nothing could
save him. The dead leaves sticking to his brow felt heavier and
heavier, crushing his brain.
Pages:
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481