he Englishman, yes. He comes. More or less, he has almost cured me.
But then, for his conversation, I say nothing!"

"Meanwhile he is also curing the abbess. He has a fortunate hand. There
death, here death--he makes them all alive. Where is death, now? Here,
perhaps? Hidden in some corner, or under the bed? He has certain
medicines, that Englishman! Medicines that you do not even dream of.
Strong! It is I that tell you. Sometimes, the whole house smells of
them. Death could not resist them a moment. They drive even the flies
out of the windows. The Englishman gave me some once. I had been in the
sun and had drunk a gallon of cold water, foolish as I was. I was
thirsty, as I am now. Well, he gave me a spoonful of something like
water, mixed in water. I do not tell you anything. At first it burned
me. Arch-priest, it burned! Then, not even a minute, and I had Paradise
in my body. And so it passed."

"Who knows? A cordial, perhaps," observed Sor Tommaso, thoughtfully. "I
have such cordials, too."

"I do not doubt it," answered the girl, suspiciously. "But I would
rather not taste them. I feel quite well."

It crossed her mind that in return for three knife-thrusts, Sor Tommaso
would probably not miss so good a chance of paying her with a glass of
poison. She would certainly have done as much herself, had she been in
his place.

"Who thought of offering you cordials!" replied the doctor, with a
polite laugh. "I said it to say it. But if you are thirsty, command me.
There is water and good wine. They are the best cordials."

"Eh, a little water. I do not refuse. As for the wine, no. I thank you
the same. I am fasting and have walked. After supper, at home, I will
drink."

"Serafina!" cried Sor Tommaso, and the old sibyl immediately appeared
from the stairs, whither she had discreetly retired to wait during
Annetta's visit. "Bring water, and that bottle of my wine from
downstairs. You know, the bottle of old wine of Stefanone's that was
opened."

"No, no. I want no wine," said Annetta, quickly.

"Bring it all the same. Perhaps she will do us the honour to drink it."

Serafina nodded, and her bare feet were heard on the stone steps as she
descended.

"It is bad to drink pure water when one is very thirsty," said Sor
Tommaso. "It cramps the stomach. A little wine gives the stomach
strength. But it is best to eat. If you will eat, there are fresh
jumbles. I also eat them."

"I thank you the same," answered Annet