The Count of Monte Cristo

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and lips. Monte Cristo poured a little iced water into a glass, and
presented it to her, saying with a mildness in which was also a shade of
command,--"Courage."

Haidee dried her eyes, and continued: "By this time our eyes, habituated
to the darkness, had recognized the messenger of the pasha,--it was
a friend. Selim had also recognized him, but the brave young man only
acknowledged one duty, which was to obey. 'In whose name do you come?'
said he to him. 'I come in the name of our master, Ali Tepelini.'--'If
you come from Ali himself,' said Selim, 'you know what you were charged
to remit to me?'--'Yes,' said the messenger, 'and I bring you his ring.'
At these words he raised his hand above his head, to show the token;
but it was too far off, and there was not light enough to enable Selim,
where he was standing, to distinguish and recognize the object presented
to his view. 'I do not see what you have in your hand,' said Selim.
'Approach then,' said the messenger, 'or I will come nearer to you, if
you prefer it.'--'I will agree to neither one nor the other,' replied