When they sat up until morning, barely exchanging a word, turning pale at the least sound, they looked as if they thought all newly-married folk conducted themselves in the same way, during the first days of their marriage.

This was the clumsy hypocrisy of two fools.
They were soon so overcome by weariness that they one night decided to lie on the bed.

They did not undress, but threw themselves, as they were, on the quilt, fearing lest their bare skins should touch, for they fancied they would receive a painful shock at the least contact.

Then, when they had slept thus, in an anxious sleep, for two nights, they risked removing their clothes, and slipping between the sheets.

But they remained apart, and took all sorts of precautions so as not to come together.
Therese got into bed first, and lay down close to the wall.