The Storm

Quote, KATERINA. Yes, I am well.... It would be better if I were ill, its worse as it is. A dream keeps creeping into my mind, and I cannot get away from it. I try to think--I cant collect my thoughts, I try to pray--but I cant get free by prayer. My lips murmur the words but my heart is far away; as though the evil one were whispering in my ear, and forever of such wicked things. And such thoughts rise up within me, that Im ashamed of myself.What iswrongwithme? Theres some trouble, something before me! At night I do not sleep, Varia, a sort of murmur haunts me; someone seems speaking so tenderly to me, as it were cooing to me like a dove.