Now, as then, she was utterly dependent upon the charity of his soul.
He turned from her and poured brandy and water into a glass.

He came back and knelt beside her.
"Drink it, my darling!" he said.
She made a quick gesture as of surprised protest.

She did not raise her head.

It was as if an invisible hand were crushing her to the earth.
"Why don't you--kill me ?" she said.
He laid his hand upon her bent head.

"Because you are the salt of the earth to me," he said; "because I worship you." She caught the hand with a little sound of passionate endearment, and laid her face down in it, her hot, quivering lips against his palm.