Then Therese, in a hollow voice, resumed: "Did he seem to have suffered much ?" Laurent could not answer.

He made a terrified gesture as if to put aside some hideous vision, and rising went towards the bed.

Then, returning violently with open arms, he advanced towards Therese.
"Kiss me," said he, extending his neck.
Therese had risen, looking quite pale in her nightdress, and stood half thrown back, with her elbow resting on the marble mantelpiece.

She gazed at the neck of her husband.

On the white skin she had just caught sight of a pink spot.