I tell you!" She dragged at his hand. "Come--a moment furthe

Le and was pouring it out in a glass, holding it to her lips. "Drink,
Kaya, drink--and here are biscuits, shall I break them for you? Don't
speak. Shut your eyes, and drink, and eat. I will feed you." He hovered
over her with little exclamations of pity and self-reproach. "Why didn't
I see at once you were starving! Poor child, poor little one! You seemed
so gay, dancing about; your cheeks were so red and now--Ah no, it is
better--the colour is coming back slowly. The wine brings a flush." The
girl lay back with her eyes closed, sipping the wine from the glass as
he held it. "Is there plenty of time, Velasco?" she said faintly. He
looked at the hands of the malachite clock on the mantel. They pointed
to ten and presently it began to strike. "Yes--yes." he whispered, "Lie
still. Let me feed you. We will go presently." "What was that on the
stairway?" she said, "Was it a noise?--I thought I heard something." She
opened her eyes and started up; and with the sudden movement, the glass
in her hand tipped and spilled over. "It is nothing," she said, "It fell
on my hand. I will wipe it away." Velasco laughed. "Your hand!" he
cried, "Your hand is a rose leaf, so soft and so white. The wine has
stained it with a blo