"What's the matter?"
"I'm expiring."
He tried to smile. He caught a glance of Hippolyte's white teeth. She said, smiling:
"Do you want me to help you to dress?"
"No. I'll get dressed presently. Go on; I'll join you," he murmured, with a sleepy tone.
"Then I'll go back. I'm too hungry. Dress quickly, and come."
"Yes, immediately."
He started when he felt unexpectedly Hippolyte's lips on his lips. He opened his eyes; he tried to smile.
"Have pity!"
He heard the crunching of the sand under her receding footsteps. A heavy silence again took possession of the beach. At intervals, a light splashing came from the edge of the sea and the neighboring rocks, a feeble noise like that made by animals drinking in a trough.