Some seconds had elapsed, longerthan hours, and his spirit had sunk into the numb torpor of idiocy. He was conscious, indeed, that he must presently think and act, but hewould wait, refusing to understand, to know, to remember, out offear, weakness, cowardice.
Quelques secondess'étaient écoulées, plus longues que des heures, et son âme s'étaitengourdie dans un hébétement d'idiot.