He fell down with his head on the wooden framework of the bed, feeling that his heart was bursting.

The awful scream never paused, it became still more awful, and as though it had reached the utmost limit of terror, suddenly it ceased.

Levin could not believe his ears, but there could be no doubt; the scream had ceased and he heard a subdued stir and bustle, and hurried breathing, and her voice, gasping, alive, tender, and blissful, uttered softly, "It's over!" He lifted his head.