Give me your hand!" She gave it, trembling.

He held it firmly, looking straight into her quivering face.

"We won't proceed," he said, "until you have quite recovered your self-control, or you may go and slit a large vein, which would be awkward for us both.

Just stand still and pull yourself together." She found herself obliged to obey.

The shrewd green eyes watched her mercilessly, and under their unswerving regard her agitation gradually died down.
"That's better," he said at length, and released her hand.