dawning that heralds the tempest. 'Thou hast then seen him?' asked
the enamoured maiden, in a trembling, dying voice, and breaking off
her work.

"'I have seen him more than once. I have not only seen him, but
wonder now, my dear--I have visited him in his dwelling!'

"'The maiden shook her head, her eyes were dimmed with the shade of
pensiveness; a thrill of jealousy, in spite of herself, darted to
her heart. 'What! and didst thou not fear to go to him?' she
said--'Is he not a heretic?'

"'If thou knewest it, Nástenka, what wouldst thou not do for love?'

"'Love?' ... exclaimed Anastasia, and her heart bounded violently in
her breast.

"'Ah if I were not afraid, I would disclose to thee the secret of my
soul.'

"'Speak, I pray thee, speak! Fear not; see! I call the Mother of God
to witness, thy words shall die with me.'

"And the maiden, with a quivering hand, signed a large cross.

"'If so, I will confide in thee what I have never disclosed but to
God. It is not over one blue sea alone that the mist lieth, and the
darksome cloud: it is not over one fair land descendeth the gloomy
autumn night; there was a time when my bosom was loaded with a heavy
sorrow, my rebellious heart lay drowned in woe and care: I loved thy