"She changed colour, and turned away.
"A sudden thought darted through my brain. Robert Moncton had been there. He coveted my death, for what reason I could not fathom. I only knew the fact. What if that draught were poison!—and suspicion, once aroused, whispered it is poison.
"I rose slowly in the bed, and grasped her firmly by the wrist.
"'Alice! we will drink of that glass together. You look faint and pale. The contents will set you all right. Take half and I will drink the rest.'
"'I never drink wine.'
"'You dare not drink that wine,' said I.
"'If I liked it, what should hinder me?'
"'You could not like it, Alice. It is poison!'
"A faint cry burst from her lips.
"'God of heaven! who told you that?'