Paul quickly took a few steps forward as far as the place where the form of the head rounded itself on her path. Then, as if he wanted to lose no portion of her, he sank on his knees, and prostrating himself, placed his mouth on the edge of the dark silhouette. Just as a thirsty dog drinks crawling on his belly in a spring he began to kiss the dust passionately, following the outlines of the beloved shadow. In this way, he moved toward her on his hands and knees, covering with caresses the lines of her body, as if to gather up with his lips the obscure image, dear because it was hers, that lay spread along the ground.
She, surprised, a little frightened even, waited till he was at her feet before she had the courage to speak to him; then, when he had lifted up his head, still remaining on his knees, but now straining her with both arms, she asked:
"What is the matter with you, to-night?"
He replied: "Liane, I am going to lose you."
She thrust all her fingers into the thick hair of her lover, and, bending down, held back his forehead in order to kiss his eyes.
"Why lose me?" said she, smiling, full of confidence.
"Because we are going to separate to-morrow."
"We separate? For a very short time, darling."
"One never knows. We shall not again find days like those that we passed here."
"We shall have others which will be as lovely."