"I cannot, Tullio."
"Why?"
"I cannot. Do not compel me to. One single drop would, I believe, suffice to make me ill."
She had become as pale as death.
"Juliana, you are ill!"
"A little. Let us rise. Let us go out on the balcony."
Putting my arm round her, I felt the softness of her waist; for, in my absence, she had removed her corset. I said to her:
"Would you like to lie down? You can rest, and I will remain near you."
"No, Tullio. You see, I already feel better."
We stopped on the sill of the balcony, with the cypress before us. She leaned against the side-post, and placed one hand on my shoulder.