Frieda let out a wail, fell prostrate on the floor, stretched out like a cross in front of Margarita. Woland waved his hand, and Frieda vanished from sight

Thank you, and farewell, " said Margarita, and got up to go.

" Well, Behemoth, " began Woland, " let's not take advantage of an unpractical person's folly on a holiday night, " he turned to Margarita, " And so, that didn't count because after all, I did nothing. What do you want for yourself? "

Silence ensued, and it was broken by Korovyov, who whispered in Margarita's ear, " My diamond Donna, I advise you to be a little more sensible this time! Otherwise, good fortune may pass you byl"

" I want, this very instant, right now, to have my lover, the Master, returned to me, " said Margarita, and a spasm contorted her face.

At this point a wind tore into the room with such force that the candles in the candelabra almost blew out, the heavy curtain on the window moved aside, and the window flew open, revealing high up in the distance a full moon, but a midnight moon rather than a morning one. A greenuh square of a nocturnal light fell from the windowsill onto the floor, and in it appeared Ivan's night visitor, who called himself the Master. He was in his hospital clothes—a robe, slippers, and the little black cap he never parted with. His unshaven face twitched in a grimace, he looked askance with crazy-fearful eyes at the light from the candles, and a flood of moonlight seethed around him.

Margarita recognized him immediately, she let out a moan, clasped her hands and ran to him. She kissed his forehead, his lips, pressed her face against his prickly cheek, and long pent-up tears streamed freely down her face. She uttered only one word, senselessly repeating it over and over, " You... you... you..."

The Master pushed her away and said in a hollow voice, " Don't cry, Margot, don't torment me. I'm seriously ill." He grabbed hold of the windowsill, as if intending to jump up on it and run, stared, baring his teeth at the seated company, and began to shout, " I'm frightened, Margot! I've started having hallucinations again..."

Sobs stifled Margarita, and she whispered, choking on her words, " No, no, no... don't be afraid of anything... I'm with you... I'm with you..."

Deftly and unobtrusively, Korovyov pushed a chair over to the Master, who sat down on it, and Margarita fell on her knees, pressing herself against the sick man's side and thus grew calm. In all her excitement she had not noticed that her nakedness was suddenly gone and she was now wearing a black silk cloak. The sick man lowered his head and began staring at the floor with sick, sullen eyes.

244 The Master and Margarita

" Yes, " began Woland after a silence, " they've done quite a job on him." He commanded Korovyov, " Knight, give this man a little something to drink."

Margarita coaxed the Master in a trembling voice, " Drink it, drink it! Are you afraid to? No, no, believe me, they'll help yout"