Pagina 883 de 2288

"I'm happy, very happy!" he said to himself. He had often before

had this sense of physical joy in his own body, but he had never

felt so fond of himself, of his own body, as at that moment. He

enjoyed the slight ache in his strong leg, he enjoyed the

muscular sensation of movement in his chest as he breathed. The

bright, cold August day, which had made Anna feel so hopeless,

seemed to him keenly stimulating, and refreshed his face and neck

that still tingled from the cold water. The scent of brilliantine

on his whiskers struck him as particularly pleasant in the fresh

air.