They were both silent. She looked steadily at the gleaming bronze statue before her, and Malipieri looked down at his hands.
"How long does it take to starve to death?" she asked at last.
"Strong men may live two or three weeks if they have water."
"I should not live many days," Sabina said thoughtfully. "It would be awful for you to be living on here, with me lying dead."
"Horrible. Do not think about it. We shall get out before morning."
"I am afraid not," she said quietly. "I am afraid we are going to die here."
"Not if I can help it," answered Malipieri.
"No. Of course not. I know you will do everything possible, and I am sure that if you could save me by losing your life, you would. Yes. But if you cannot break through the wall, there is nothing to be done."
"The water may go down to-morrow. It is almost sure to go down before long. Then we can get out by the way we came in."
"It will not go down. I am sure it will not."