" Yes," he thought, "this now is life, this is happiness! _Together,_ she said; _let us skate together!_ Speak to her now? But that's just why I'm afraid to speak--because I'm happy now, happy in hope, anyway....

And then?....

But I must! I must! I must! Away with weakness!" Levin rose to his feet, took off his overcoat, and scurrying over the rough ice round the hut, came out on the smooth ice and skated without effort, as it were, by simple exercise of will, increasing and slackening speed and turning his course.