"Please bring me another cup, Nora," she said, "stronger than the first."
"I am afraid that you have a fever, my lady," said the girl, anxiously.
"I am only thirsty. You may as well take the biscuit back; I am afraid it would choke me," said Ida.
"But you must be hungry," persisted the maid. "I am sure you have eaten nothing since breakfast time."
When the girl had gone, Ida tore open the envelope, and read:
"My clever little wife, I am here a day earlier than I anticipated. Meet me at once in the same place. Of course you have the money by this time. Bring it with you."
She crushed the note in her hand. No one heard the gasping, the bitter sob, the despairing cry she uttered. The iron had entered her soul. There was nothing but to obey his commands.
The girl had said that he was under the influence of wine.
Ida had seen him in that condition once before, and that was on his bridal-eve, and the memory of it had never left her.
He was terrible enough when sober, but under the influence of liquor he might be a fiend.