On reaching the boulevard they were aware of a merry party sitting under the tress. They heard laughter; and the gleam of a lighted cigarette revealed for an instant a fair moustache. Just as they passed a man’s voice sang: The heart of a fair lady Is wayward as the wind across the wheat… When they got within a short distance of Sina’s home they sat down on a bench where it was very dark. In front of them lay the broad street, all white in the moonlight, and the church topped by a cross that gleamed as a star above the black linden trees. “Look! How pretty that is!” exclaimed Sina, as she pointed to the church. Yourii glanced admiringly at her white shoulder which, in the costume of Little Russia that she wore, was exposed to view. He longed to clasp her in his arms and kiss her full red lips. It seemed as if he must do so, and as if she expected and desired this. But he let the propitious moment pass, laughing gently, almost mockingly, to himself. “Why do you laugh?” “Oh! I don’t know!—nothing!” replied Yourii nervously, trying to appear unmoved. They were both silent as they listened to faint sounds that came to them through the darkness. “Have you ever been in love?” asked Sina, suddenly. “Yes,” said Yourii slowly. ‘Suppose I tell her?’ he thought. Then, aloud, “I am in love now.” “With whom?” she asked, fearing to hear the answer, while yet certain that she knew it. “With you, of course,” replied Yourii, vainly assuming playful tone as he leant forward and gazed into her eyes, that shone strangely in the gloom. They expressed surprise and expectancy. Yourii longed to embrace her, yet again his courage failed him, and he pretended to stifle a yawn. “He’s only in fun!” thought Sina, growing suddenly cool. She felt hurt at such hesitation on Yourii’s part. To keep back her tears, she clenched her teeth, and in an altered tone exclaimed “Nonsense!” as she quickly got up. “I am speaking quite seriously,” began Yourii, with unnatural earnestness. “I love you, believe me, I do, passionately!” Sina took up her books without saying a word. “Why, why does he talk like this?” she thought to herself. “I’ve let him see that I care, and now he despises me.” Yourii bent down to pick up a book that had fallen. “It is time to go home,” she said coldly. Yourii felt grieved that she wanted to go just at that moment, but he thought at the same time that he had played his part quite successfully, and without in the least appearing commonplace. Then he said, impressively: “Au revoir!” She held out her hand. He swiftly bent over it and kissed it. Sina started back, uttering a faint cry: “What are you doing?” Though his lips had only just touched her soft little hand, his emotion was so great that he could only smile feebly as she hurried away, and soon he heard the click of her garden gate. As he walked homewards his face wore the same silly smile, while he breathed the pure night air, and felt strong, and glad of heart. CHAPTER XXII.