'Well, what do you want to say, midnight-gadabout?' and she again
began laughing.

'Don't laugh at me, Maryanka! By the Heaven! Well, what if I have
a sweetheart? May the devil take her! Only say the word and now
I'll love you--I'll do anything you wish. Here they are!' and he
jingled the money in his pocket. 'Now we can live splendidly.
Others have pleasures, and I? I get no pleasure from you, Maryanka
dear!'

The girl did not answer. She stood before him breaking her switch
into little bits with a rapid movement other fingers.

Lukashka suddenly clenched his teeth and fists.

'And why keep waiting and waiting? Don't I love you, darling? You
can do what you like with me,' said he suddenly, frowning angrily
and seizing both her hands.

The calm expression of Maryanka's face and voice did not change.

'Don't bluster, Lukashka, but listen to me,' she answered, not
pulling away her hands but holding the Cossack at arm's length.
'It's true I am a girl, but you listen to me! It does not depend
on me, but if you love me I'll tell you this. Let go my hands,
I'll tell you without.--I'll marry you, but you'll never get any
nonsense from me,' said Maryanka without turning her face.

'What, you'll marry me? Marriage does not depend on us. Love me
yourself, Maryanka dear,' said Lukashka, from sullen and furious