Who was coming?
Which of us would recognize those footsteps first?
I did.

It was he! he for whose sake I had brought down a curse upon my head.
"For about as long a time as it would take one to repeat a Paternoster, he remained standing there before the door.

Then he rapped lightly with his fingers and I heard the voice I knew so well: 'Mariora, are you asleep ?' "'I am awake.

What do you want ?' she replied.
"'Let me in, Mariora; open the door!' "I whispered to her what she should say.
"'I cannot, my husband is not at home.

I am alone.' "'For that very reason open, so that we two may have it all to ourselves ?' "'There will be three of us, don't forget Ursu.' "'It is all up with Ursu,' laughed the robber outside.
"'You have killed him, you villain!' cried Mariora though I never whispered this to her.
"'Not I, but the honey-cake.' "'Why did you do so ?' "'Because he was in my way.' "'Who will defend me now ?' "'I will defend you.