boweddownatVasya’sfeet，andsaid:’Wehavesinnedagainstyou，VassilyMaximitch；forgiveus，forChrist’ssake！’ThenI
gotupandspoketoMashenka:’You，MaryaSemyonovna，oughtnowtowashVassilyMaximitch’sfeetanddrinkthewater。Doyoubeanobedientwifetohim，andpraytoGodforme，thatHeinHismercymayforgivemytransgression。’ItcametomelikeaninspirationfromanangelofHeaven；Igavehersolemncounselandspokewithsuchfeelingthatmyowntearsflowedtoo。AndsotwodayslaterVasyacomestome:’Matyusha，’sayshe，’Iforgiveyouandmywife；Godhavemercyonyou！Shewasasoldier’swife，ayoungthingallalone；itwashardforhertobeonherguard。
She’snotthefirst，norwillshebethelast。Only，’hesays，’I
begyoutobehaveasthoughtherehadneverbeenanythingbetweenyou，andtomakenosign，whileI，’sayshe，’willdomybesttopleaseherineveryway，sothatshemaycometolovemeagain。’
Hegavemehishandonit，drankacupoftea，andwentawaymorecheerful。