Only later he remembered the stillness of her breathing, and understood all that must have been passing in her sweet, precious heart while she lay beside him, not stirring, in anticipation of the greatest event in a woman's life.

At seven o'clock he was waked by the touch of her hand on his shoulder, and a gentle whisper.

She seemed struggling between regret at waking him, and the desire to talk to him.

"Kostya, don't be frightened.