the arm and drew him
towards his hut.

'Nothing happened, she did not let me in, and I too mean no harm. She
is an honest girl--'

'Eh, discuss--'

'Yes, but all the same I'll give you something now. Wait a bit!'

Nazarka said nothing. Olenin ran into his hut and brought out ten
rubles, which he gave to the Cossack.

'Nothing happened, but still I was to blame, so I give this!--Only for
God's sake don't let anyone know, for nothing happened...'

'I wish you joy,' said Nazarka laughing, and went away.

Nazarka had come to the village that night at Lukashka's bidding to
find a place to hide a stolen horse, and now, passing by on his way
home, had heard the sound of footsteps. When he returned next morning
to his company he bragged to his chum, and told him how cleverly he had
got ten rubles. Next morning Olenin met his hosts and they knew nothing
about the events of the night. He did not speak to Maryanka, and she
only laughed a little when she looked at him. Next night he also passed
without sleep, vainly wandering about the yard. The day after he
purposely spent shooting, and in the evening he went to see Beletski to
escape from his own thoughts. He was afraid of himself, and promised
himself not to go to his hosts' hut any more.

That night he was roused by the sergeant-major. His company was ordered
to start at once on a raid. Olenin was glad this had happened, and
thought he would not again return to the village.

The raid lasted four days. The commander, who was a relative of
Olenin's, wished to see him and offered to let him remain with the
staff, but this Olenin declined. He found that he could not live away
from the village, and asked to be allowed to return to it. For having
taken part in the raid he received a soldier's cross, which he had
formerly greatly desired. Now he was quite indifferent about it, and
even more indifferent about his promotion, the order for which had
still not arrived. Accompanied by Vanyusha he rode back to the cordon
without any accident several hours in advance of the rest of the
company. He spent the whole evening in his porch watching Maryanka, and
he again walked about the yard, without aim or thought, all night.

Chapter XXXIII

It was late when he awoke the next day. His hosts were no longer in. He
did not go shooting, but now took up a book, and now went out into the
porch, and now again re-entered the hut and lay down on the bed.
Vanyusha thought he was ill