"Be that as it may, I have no one, no one!" he repeated, with that movement of the hand with which the Cossack expresses his determination to do some unheard-of deed, impossible to any other man.

"Who says that the Ukraine is my country?
Who gave it to me for my country?
Our country is the one our soul longs for, the one which is dearest of all to us.

My country is--you! That is my native land, and I bear that country in my heart.

I will bear it there all my life, and I will see whether any of the Cossacks can tear it thence.

And I will give everything, barter everything, I will destroy myself, for that country!" Astounded, she gazed in his eyes for a space, like a beautiful statue, and then suddenly burst out sobbing; and with the wonderful feminine impetuosity which only grand-souled, uncalculating women, created for fine impulses of the heart, are capable of, threw herself upon his neck, encircling it with her wondrous snowy arms, and wept.