They only perceived a future that would be horrible in pain, with a sinister and violent end.
Then, like two enemies bound together, and who were making violent efforts to release themselves from this forced embrace, they strained their muscles and nerves, stiffening their limbs without succeeding in releasing themselves.

At last understanding that they would never be able to escape from their clasp, irritated by the cords cutting into their flesh, disgusted at their contact, feeling their discomfort increase at every moment, forgetful, and unable to bear their bonds a moment longer, they addressed outrageous reproaches to one another, in the hope of suffering loss, of dressing the wounds they inflicted on themselves, by cursing and deafening each other with their shouts and accusations.
A quarrel broke out every evening.

It looked as though the murderers sought opportunities to become exasperated so as to relax their rigid nerves.

They watched one another, sounded one another with glances, examined the wounds of one another, discovering the raw parts, and taking keen pleasure in causing each other to yell in pain.

They lived in constant irritation, weary of themselves, unable to support a word, a gesture or a look, without suffering and frenzy.