She pressed his arm with her hand.
"And I, too, I love you, with all my heart and soul," she said.

"And if you will tell me what has happened, I will do what I can--if it were my life that were needed.

I know I can help you, for God will help me." He raised his head a little and again stood still, gazing into her eyes with an odd sort of childish wonder.
"What makes you so strong, Vjera?
You used to be a weak little thing." "Love," she answered.
It was strange to see such a man, outwardly lean, tough-looking, well put together and active, though not, indeed, powerful, looking at the poor white-faced girl and asking the secret of her strength, as though he envied it.

But at that moment, the natural situation was reversed.

His eyes were lustreless, tired, without energy.