I took all
the responsibility on myself. I was ready to believe that she did
not seek my company, but that it was I who called her to myself. I
was a sinner in my own estimation, and I could not even cry. Then
it seemed to me that the sky was much darker than usual, and the
stars did not shine at all. With such thought in my mind I fell
asleep.
I awoke at the sound of voices. Some one is crying, I thought. The
sound seemed near enough. It rose and rose and filled the valley.
It made me shudder. The soft, plaintive chant swelled and grew
louder, as if addressed to me. It gripped my very heart. I stood
up all in a shiver, and started to walk in the direction of the
sound. But around me, up and down, on every side, was total
darkness. The moon had set long ago. I moved away only a few steps
from the horses, and could not make them out any more. By and by I
could distinguish some words, and I recognized the heart-gripping
chant of a Hebrew Psalm. . . .
"For the Lord knoweth the path of the righteous,
And the path of the wicked shall perish.
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