"It's nothing, I protest--nothing whatever, and I'll have no cordial, nota drop. A drink of water--a mouthful of that, if I must drink."

Guida caught up a hanap of water from the dresser, and passed it to him.Her fingers trembled a little. His were steady enough as he took thehanap and drank off the water at a gulp. Again she filled it and againhe drank. The blood was running in a tiny little stream down his cheek.She caught her armkerchief from her girdle impulsively, and gently wipedit away.