Iris revived, to find Philip supporting her with a degree of skill that was remarkable in one who had enjoyed so little experience in those matters. She heard his voice, coming, as it seemed, rapidly nearer, urging her to sip something very fiery and spirituous. Instantly she protested.
"What are you giving me?" she sobbed. "What has happened?"
Then the whole of her world opened up before her. Her hands flew to her throat, her hair. She flushed into vivid life as the marble Galatea incardinated under Pygmalion's kiss.
"Did I faint?" she asked confusedly.
"Yes, but you are all right now. You did not fall. Captain Coke caught you and handed you over to me. I wish you would drink the remainder of this brandy, and rest for a little while."
Iris pushed away the glass and sat up.
"You carried me?" she said.
"Well, I couldn't do anything else."
"I suppose you don't realize what it means to a woman to feel that she has been out of her senses under such conditions?"
"No, but in your case it only meant that you sighed deeply a few times and tried to bite my fingers when I wished to open your mouth."