She had a painful thing to tell this man--that she could not, as she had hoped, release him from his desperate prison that night; but she did not tell him until she had fed him first and given him drink too.

She insisted upon his taking the food first.

It was highly seasoned, beef with mustard upon it, and pickles.

All the while he watched her hand with thirsty eye.

When he had gulped his food to please her, she produced a small bottle.