“No, you do not look deceitful,” she answered, after a moment's scrutiny of my face.
“Then trust me enough to drink this.”
Without further protest she took the glass I proffered, and emptied it.
“Now, if you are willing, we may talk,” said I.
“What is there to talk about? I, at any rate, have nothing to say. But I am at your mercy for the term of one hour. You, of course, may talk as much as you desire. But at the end of one hour—— Please look at your watch. What o'clock is it now?”
“It is twenty minutes after midnight.”
“Thank you. Five minutes have already passed. At a quarter after one I shall be free to leave.” Therewith she let her head fall back upon the cushion of the easy-chair in which she was seated, and closed her eyes.
“Yes,” said I, “you will then be free to leave, if you still wish it. But I doubt if you will.”
“Your doubt is groundless, sir. However, if it pleases you to cherish it, you may do so till the hour is finished.”
“No, I cannot think my doubt is groundless. I told you I believed I should be able to show you a better way out of your troubles than the desperate one that you were purposing to take; and now I will make good my promise.”