If you knew how I feel--I went to church today and was afraid and hid myself when I saw my confessor--" These plaints he had heard before, and he said to himself, "You may sing whatever tune you want to, but you shall dance tonight." Aloud he answered in monosyllables as he continued to take possession of her.
He rose, thinking she would do the same, or that if she remained seated he could better reach her lips by bending over her.
"Your lips, your lips--the kiss you gave me last night--" he murmured, as his face came close to hers.

She put up her lips and stood, and they embraced, but as his hands went seeking she recoiled.
"Think how ridiculous it all is," she said in a low voice, "to undress, put on night clothes--and that silly scene, getting into bed!" He avoided declaring, but attempted, by an embrace which bent her over backward, to make her understand that she could spare herself those embarrassments.

Tacitly, in his own turn, feeling her body stiffen under his fingers, he understood that she absolutely would not give herself in the room here, in front of the fire.
"Oh well," she said, disengaging herself, "if you will have it!" He made way to allow her to go into the other room, and seeing that she desired to be alone he drew the portiere.
Sitting before the fire he reflected.

Perhaps he ought to have pulled down the bed covers, and not left her the task, but without doubt the action would have been too direct, too obvious a hint.

Ah! and that water heater! He took it and, keeping away from the bedroom door, went to the bathroom, placed the heater on the toilet table, and then, swiftly, he set out the rice powder box, the perfumes, the combs, and, returning into his study, he listened.
She was making as little noise as possible, walking on tiptoe as if in the presence of the dead.