He tried to force it back with fierce swallowings, but had to yield.

He bent over double, and shook with rattling volleys.

Madelon waited, her eyes averted, without a sign of pity.
The near approach of her wedding-day caused a revolt of her whole maiden soul towards him so intense that it was as a contraction of the muscles.

She was utterly hard to his suffering.

At last he raised himself, panting, and cast a pale look around at her.
"Well, what do you want ?" she said.
He motioned feebly towards is desk on the other side of the room.
"Top drawer," he whispered, hoarsely; "left-hand corner--find--leather case--bring to me." Madelon crossed the room to the desk, opened the drawer, found the leather case, and carried it to Lot.