I touched them with my own; they were as
cold as ice, or the cheek my own face just touched in passing. I went
to the table; took my seat; and madam poured out the tea, with a covert
glance toward me. I was not looking at her, but I saw it.
"A moment afterward, the old waiter presented me the small gilt cup,
smoking, fragrant, and inviting.
"I took it, looking, as before, out of the corner of my eye at madam.
She was leaning forward, watching me with a face as pale as death. I
could hear her teeth chatter.
"I placed the cup to my lips;--her hand, holding a spoon, trembled so
that the spoon beat a tattoo on her saucer. She was watching me in
breathless suspense; and all at once I turned full toward her.
"'The taste of this tea is singular,' I said, 'I should call it very
bad.'
"'Oh, it is--excellent!' she muttered, between her chattering teeth.
"'The cup you send me is certainly wretched. Do me the _pleasure to
taste it, madam_.'
"And depositing it upon the waiter of the old servant, I
said:--
"'Take this to your mistress.'
"He did so; she just touched it with her lips, her hand trembling, then
replaced it upon the waiter.
"'I perceive nothing disagreeable,' she murmured.
"'Swallow a mouthful,' I said, with a bitter smile.
"She looked at me with sudden intentness.
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