“But what?”

“Be quiet, please! If you twist that way you will spill the broth. If I wished—yes, perhaps.”

“Solange!”

“But I—do not wish!” 310

De Launay lay still a moment, then:

“Solange!”

“Monsieur?”

Why don’t you wish it?”

She stole a glance at him and then turned away. His face was damp and the fever was glittering in his eyes but behind the fever was a great hunger.

“Husbands,” said Solange, “are not plentiful, monsieur.”