They were by this time unable to speak, save for a few instinctive cries that welled out of their inmost being—a few strangled whispers, thrown forth as spasmodically, as fitfully, as the flames of a fire—rambling, raving, insane words—with hungry devouring looks, looks of frenzy mixed with haggard terror, looks that betrayed the storm that raged within.—Till at last there swept over him and her a convulsion so irresistible, such an uncontrollable spasm of craving, that, losing their senses completely, they closed with a mad frantic cry ... and fell! And, with them, their whole world reeled and crashed headlong into the abyss! “Oh, I am beside myself!” “Be silent, dear, be silent!” “I cannot; else I should go mad!” “My heart is bursting asunder!” “And my blood burns my veins!” “Death—is it death coming—or a swoon?” “My own, my own!” “O Antek!” * * * * * Even as those elements which combine to form life wake up in the early months of every year, and—impelled by eternal affinity—set out to seek one another throughout the world, from end to end of earth and sky, until they meet in springtime, and unite, and bring forth to our astonished eyes now flowers, now babes, now huge green trees that murmur in the wind: So they too, after long days of desire and torment, days of greyness and of void, met, found each other, mingled with an uncontrollable cry, rushing into one another’s arms, and clinging close: Just so may two pine-trees, uprooted by the storm and tossed together in a desperate embrace, strive with might and main, wrestling in a mortal grip, whirling, reeling, rebounding—till they both drop to the ground and die! And over these two did the night weave her veil of shadows, that the things which were to be might come to pass. * * * * * Somewhere among those shadows, partridges were heard to pipe, so near at hand that the passage of the whole covey was distinctly audible. A quick rustling sounded—wings flapping the snow for an upward flight. Other noises, keen and shrill, broke the stillness now and then; and from the village that therefore could hardly be very far away, there came the loud though muffled crowing of cocks. “It must be late,” she whispered timidly. “Oh, it is yet long before midnight: ’tis only change of weather makes them crow.” “A thaw is setting in.” “Aye, the snow is softer now.” Some hares, not far from the rock under which they were sitting, then fell to squeaking, playing about and gambolling merrily; and presently a whole band of them darted by, so near them that they shrank in alarm. “’Tis pairing-time; the little beasts are so excited that they fear nothing.... Spring will soon be here.” “I thought some large creature was rushing at us!” “Hush!” he hissed in sudden terror. “Crouch low!”