You are worn out now." His voice held insistence.

There was no softness in it.

Had he displayed kindness in that moment she would have burst into tears.
But he put her hands down again with a brief, repressive gesture, and the impulse passed.

She yielded him obedience, scarcely knowing what she did.
He brought her food and wine, and she ate and drank mechanically while he watched her with his grey, piercing eyes, not speaking at all.
Finally she summoned strength to look up at him with a quivering smile.

"You are very kind.