"Yes, my lad," continued Malva, without looking at Jakoff; "I may be tempting, but not for you.... And let me tell you, no one has bought me, I am not the property of your father. I live for myself. So it's no use running after me, because I don't intend to come between you and Vassili.... I don't want quarrels or wrangling of any sort ... Do you understand?" "But what have I done?" asked Jakoff, surprised. "I don't touch you; I'm not running after you." "You don't dare to touch me!" said Malva. She spoke so disdainfully that the man, the human male within him, seemed in revolt A feeling of almost wicked defiance seized him, and his eyes flashed. "Oh! I don't dare?... don't I?" he cried, going nearer to her. "No, you don't dare!" "And if I touch you?" "Just try it!" "What would you do?" "I would give you such a good smack over the head, that you would fall into the water!" "We'll see!" "Touch me, if you dare!" He swept her with a rapid hot glance, and then flung his strong thick arms round her, crushing her body against his own. As he felt her warm, strong flesh pressed against his own, his blood became fired, his throat contracted as if he were choking. "Well! strike me now! What are you waiting for?" "Let me go, Jakoff," she said quietly, trying to loosen his throbbing arms. "What about the smack over the head you were going to give me?" "Let me go! If not ... look out for yourself!" "It's all very well to threaten; but you're a little darling!" He drew her closer towards himself, and pressed his thick lips against her flushed cheek. She burst out into defiant laughter, seized Jakoff's arms, and suddenly, with a strong movement of her whole body, flung herself forward. They fell, both of them clinging together, forming one heavy mass, and disappeared in the spurting white foam. Then from the troubled water emerged Jakoff's wet head, and by his side rose, like a seagull, Malva. Jakoff was struggling desperately, striking the water, spluttering and shouting, whilst Malva screamed joyfully, swimming round him and tossing salt water into his face, then diving to avoid the vigorous strokes of his swinging arms. "The devil!" cried Jakoff, breathing hard. "I shall be drowned! That's enough now!... I swear I'm drowning.... Ah! I am sinking!" But she had left him, and was swimming towards the shore with strong strokes like those of a man. Once there, she sprang lightly into the boat, and stood up in the bows watching, laughingly, Jakoff, who was paddling rapidly towards her. His wet clothes, sticking to his body showed his supple figure from the shoulder to the knee, and Jakoff, when he had caught hold of the boat, coveted this dripping, half-naked girl, who was so gaily making fun of him. "Well! you half-drowned seal! Get out of the water!" she cried, between her fits of laughter. And kneeling down she stretched out a hand to him, whilst with the other she held on to the boat.