"Yet I would see it tasted." "Your mind shall be made easy on that score in a moment, my lady," said Luke Hatton.
And taking a small wine-glass that stood by, he rinsed it with water and carefully wiped it; after which he poured a few drops of the liquid into it and swallowed them.
During this proceeding Lady Lake's gaze never quitted him for a second.
Apparently satisfied with the test, she bade him return the phial to her.
"You had better let me pour it out for you, my lady," he replied, cleansing the glass as before.

"The quantity must be exactly observed.
Twenty drops, and no more." "My hand is as steady as your own, and I can count the drops as accurately," she rejoined, taking the phial from him.

"Twenty, you say ?" "Twenty, my lady," rejoined Hatton, evidently displeased; "but perhaps you had better confine yourself to fifteen, or even ten.

'T will be safer." "You think the larger dose might give me too much strength--ha! What say you to fifty, or a hundred ?" "It must not be, my lady--it must not be.

You will destroy yourself.