They could go abroad where they pleased.

But love did not trouble them, its fire had died out.

They remained there, calmly talking, looking at one another without reddening and without a thrill.

They even avoided being alone.

In their intimacy, they found nothing to say, and both were afraid that they appeared too cold.
When they exchanged a pressure of the hand, they experienced a sort of discomfort at the touch of their skins.
Both imagined they could explain what made them so indifferent and alarmed when face to face with one another.