“Look there!” whispered Ivanoff, excitedly.
From the smart frocks, hats and petticoats lying on the grass, it was evident that the party of bathers had come out from the town. Some were merrily splashing about in the water which dripped in silver beads from their round, soft limbs. One stood on the bank, erect and lithe, and the sunlight enhanced the plastic beauty of her form that quivered as she laughed.
“Oh! I say!” exclaimed Sanine, fascinated by the sight.
“So it is!” said Sanine aloud. “I didn’t recognize her. How charming she looks!”
“Yes, doesn’t she?” said the other, chuckling.
At that moment laughter and loud cries told them that they had been overheard. Karsavina, startled, leaped into the clear water from which alone her rosy face and shining eyes emerged. Sanine and Ivanoff fled precipitately, stumbling back through the tall rushes to their boat.
“Oh! how good it is to be alive!” said Sanine, stretching himself.
Down the river, floating onward, Ever onward, to the sea.
So he sang in his clear, resonant voice, while behind the trees the sound of girlish laughter could still be heard. Ivanoff looked at the sky.
The trees had become darker, and a deep shadow passed swiftly across the meadow.
“Where? There’s no escape, now,” cried Sanine cheerfully.
Overhead a leaden-hued cloud floated nearer and nearer. There was no wind; the stillness and gloom had increased.
“We shall get soaked to the skin,” said Ivanoff, “so do give me a cigarette, to console me.”
Faintly the little yellow flame of the match flickered in the gloom. A sudden gust of wind swept it away. One big drop of rain splashed the boat, and another fell on to Sanine’s brow. Then came the downpour. Pattering on the leaves, the rain hissed as it touched the surface of the water. All in a moment from the dark heaven it fell in torrents, and only the rush and the splash of it could be heard.
“Nice, isn’t it?” said Sanine, moving his shoulders to which his wet shirt was sticking.
“Not so bad,” replied Ivanoff, who had crouched at the bottom of the boat.
Very soon the rain ceased, though the clouds had not dispersed, but were massed behind the woods where flashes of lighting could be seen at intervals.
“We ought to be getting back,” said Ivanoff.