He was seated opposite her, in a floating shadow, and could not see her face which she kept bowed down on her breast.

As soon as he had grasped her hand, he pressed it vigorously, retaining it until they reached the Rue Mazarine.

He felt the hand tremble; but it was not withdrawn.

On the contrary it ever and anon gave a sudden caress.
These two hands, one in the other, were burning; the moist palms adhered, and the fingers tightly held together, were hurt at each pressure.

It seemed to Laurent and Therese that the blood from one penetrated the chest of the other, passing through their joined fists.
These fists became a live fire whereon their lives were boiling.