And besides, to add to her embarrassment at present, there was the girl's maidenly shyness and timidity.

Since she had told Johann Schmidt her secret, she felt as though all eyes were upon her, and as though every one were about to turn upon her with those jesting questions which coarse natures regard as expressions of sympathy where love is concerned.

And yet no one spoke to her, nor disturbed her.

There was only the disquieting consciousness of the Cossack's curious scrutiny to remind her that all things were not as they had been yesterday.
The hours of the morning seemed endless.

On all other days, Vjera was accustomed to see the Count's quiet face opposite to her, and when she was most weary of her monotonous toil, a glance at him gave her fresh courage, and turned the currents of her thoughts into a channel not always smooth indeed, but long familiar and never wearisome to follow.