The scanty resources visible in the cave, the intense anxiety of the elderly Portuguese to avoid observation from the chief island of the group, the very nature of the apparently inaccessible crag in which he and his associates were hiding--each and all of these things spoke volumes.
Hozier did not attempt to disturb the girl until the dapper officer produced a goatskin, and poured a small quantity of wine into a tin cup.

With a curious eagerness, he anticipated the other's obvious intent.
"Pardon me, monsieur," he said, seizing the vessel, and his direct Anglo-Saxon manner quite robbed his French of its politeness.

Then his vocabulary broke down, and he added more suavely in English: "I will persuade her to drink a little.

She is rather hysterical, you know." The Portuguese nodded as though he understood.

Iris looked up when Hozier brought her the cup.