It was well that there were only servants in the ante-room.  But the general’s wife did not wish to risk another such scene, now that so many people were present.  And besides she was extremely disturbed; the friends who had come to the funeral service had brought flowers; and the half-crazy princess, with the aid of two other ladies, had taken a fancy to decorate the coffin, and especially the head, with them.  It is impossible to describe what Olga Vseslavovna suffered, as she watched all those hands moving about among the folds of the muslin, the frills, the covering, almost under the satin cushion even; a little more and she would have fainted in earnest.

She had always boasted that she had strong nerves, and this was quite true; nevertheless, during these days, their strength was evidently giving way, as she could not get to sleep for a long time that night, and heaven only knows what fancies passed through her mind.  It was almost morning before Olga Vseslavovna got to sleep, and even then it was not for long.

She dreamed that she was descending endless stairs and dark corridors, with a heavy, shapeless burden on her shoulders.  A bright, constantly-changing flame flickered before her; now red, now yellow, now green, it flitted before her from side to side.  She knew that if she could reach it, the burden would fall from her.  But the light seemed to be taunting her, now appearing, now disappearing, and suddenly going out altogether.  And she found herself in the darkness, in a damp cellar, seemingly empty, but filled with something’s invisible presence.  What was it?  She did not know.  But this pervading something frightened her terribly, smothered her, pressing on her from all sides, depriving her of air.  She was choking!  Terror seized her at the thought that it ... was Death!  Must she die?  Was it possible?  But that brightly shining light had just promised her life, gayety, brilliance!  She must hurry to overtake it.  And she tried to run.  But her feet would not obey her; she could not move.

“Heaven!  Heaven!” she cried, “but what is it?  Whence has such a disaster come?  What is holding me?  Let me go, or I shall be smothered in this stench, under this intolerable burden!”

Suddenly Iuri Pavlovitch walked past her.  She immediately recognized him, and joyfully caught at his cloak.  “Iuri!  Forgive me!  Help me!” she cried.

Her husband stopped, looked sadly at her, and answered:  “I would gladly help you, but you yourself hinder me.  Let me go; I must fulfill your directions.”

At that moment she awoke.  She was bathed in a cold perspiration, and clutched wildly at the coverlet with both hands.  There was no one near her, but she clearly felt someone’s presence, and was convinced that she had really seen her husband a moment before.  In her ears resounded his words:  “I must fulfill your directions!” Directions?  What directions?

She sprang up, and began to feel about over the carpet with her bare feet, looking for her slippers.  A terrible thought had come into her mind.  She felt that she must settle it at once.  She must take the will, take it away from there! burn it! destroy it!  She feverishly drew on her dressing gown, and threw a shawl over her shoulders.