Anne listened with bated breath. Under her head, the rapid irregular gallop started again.
As if he had only then noticed his wife’s proximity, Thomas stretched himself out and pushed her away impatiently. Anne remembered that this was not the first time this had happened. The awful truth dawned on her.
“It is nothing,” he said and made an effort to laugh, but his laughter died away under Anne’s pitiful look.
“Thomas, since when?”
“A long time ago.”
“For God’s sake, why did you not tell me?”
“I thought it would pass away at Ille.... Open the window. It is rather worse to-day....” His face became ashen-grey, his eyes appealed for help. With a single gesture he tore his shirt-collar open.
Anne flew through the room.
“Call the doctor! The doctor....”
It sounded all through the house when Florian slammed the street door.