Don't! I say, Audrey--please don't!" His voice was imploring, but she paid no heed.

Her lips continued to draw at the wound, while he, half-distracted, bent over her, protesting, scarcely conscious of what he said, yet submitting in spite of himself.
There came the sound of running feet, and he guessed that her scream had given the alarm.

He stood up with mingled agitation and relief, and an instant later was face to face with her husband.
"I--couldn't help it!" he stammered.

"It was a snake-bite." People were crowding round them with questions and exclamations.

But Tudor gave utterance to neither.