The savoury odour from the smoking soup was very
tempting, and she was very hungry; but after she had mechanically seated
herself and dipped her spoon into the broth, it suddenly occurred to her
that the food might contain a narcotic--such things had been done--and
she pushed away the plate in front of her in alarm. The major-domo, who
was standing at a respectful distance watching her, ready to anticipate
her every wish, seemed to divine her thought, for he advanced to the
table and deliberately partook of all the viands upon it, as well as of
the wine and water--as if to prove to her that there was nothing wrong
or unusual about them. Isabelle was somewhat reassured by this, and
feeling that she would probably have need of all her strength, did bring
herself to eat and drink, though very sparingly. Then, quitting the
table, she sat down in a large easy-chair in front of the fire to think
over her terrible position, and endeavour to devise some means of escape
from it. When the servants had attended to their duties and left her
alone again, she rose languidly and walked slowly to the window--feeling
as weak as though she had had a severe illness, after the violent
emotions and terrors of the day, and as if she had aged years in the
last few hours.
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