From the book
The Gods Are Athirst
Anatole France · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Meaning
Lemma.
The term denotes an unmarried cohabiting sexual relationship, but its use in the indictment is disputed. Athénaïs needs it explained and then says Brotteaux could have asked her, but did not. Her answer distinguishes hypothetical willingness from an actual relationship. The president treats the candid reply as cynicism, exposing a mismatch between official terminology and the person’s account of what happened.
Places to read
- Chapter XXIV, paragraph 31Frenchavoir vécu en concubinage avec Brotteaux: having lived in concubinage with Brotteaux. The president asks whether she admits the allegation; her answer does not admit it.