Her eyes, full of wild
inquiry, seemed attempting to read into my very soul.
"'Perhaps you object to drinking after me, as the children say,' I
added--this time with a species of sneer, and a flash of the eye, I
think.
"'Oh, no!' she exclaimed, with an attempt to laugh; 'and to show
you--'
"With a quick movement she attempted--as though by accident--to strike
the waiter with her elbow, in order to overturn the cup.
"But the old servant was too well trained. The lady's elbow struck the
waiter, but the skilful attendant withdrew it quickly. Not a drop of
the tea was spilled.
"A moment afterward I was beside madam.
"'I pray you to drink,' I said.
"'I can not--I feel unwell,' she murmured, cowering beneath the fire in
my eye.
"'I beg you to drink from this cup.'
"'I have told you--I will not.'
"'I beseech you to humor me, madam. Else I shall regard you as a
murderess!'
"She rose suddenly.
"'Your meaning, sir!' she exclaimed, as pale as death.
"I took the cup and poured the tea into a saucer. At the bottom was a
modicum of white powder, undissolved. I poured the tea into the cup
again--then a second time into the saucer. This time nothing
remained--and I proceeded to pour cream into the saucer, until it was
filled. Madam watched me with distended eyes, and trembling from head
to foot.
Pages:
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528