Semyonov's contempt would once have frightened the very life out of me, but after that night of his arrival here it has been nothing compared with the excitement of our relationship--the things that are keeping us together in spite of ourselves and the strange changes, I do believe, that this situation here is making in him.

The loss of Marie Ivanovna would two months ago perhaps have finished me.

What is it now beside the wonder as to whether I have lost her after all, the consciousness of pursuit, the longing to _know_ ?...
Durward and I have spoken sometimes of my dream of the Forest.

It must seem to him now, as to myself, strangely fulfilled; but I believe that if I catch the beast it will only be to discover that there is a further quest beyond, and then another maybe beyond that....
At the same time there's the practical question of one's nerve.

If this strain of work continues, if the hot weather lasts, and if I don't sleep, I shall have to take care.