His gentle, soothing words and smiles were as soothing and softening as almond oil.

And Anna soon felt this.

"No, Stiva," she said, "I'm lost, lost! worse than lost! I can't say yet that all is over; on the contrary, I feel that it's not over.

I'm an overstrained string that must snap.

But it's not ended yet...and it will have a fearful end.