"Death drops on whomsoever I send it," she continued, "subtly, secretly. The very spirits of air cannot trace whence it comes." "I know you are the possessor of terrible secrets," Theodora replied, fascinated beyond all her experiences with the woman and her trade. "Such secrets never die," said the poisoner. "Few men, still fewer women, are there who would not listen at the door of Hell to learn them. Let me see your hand!" Theodora complied with her abrupt demand and laid her beautiful white hand into the no less beautiful one of the woman before her. Her touch, though the hand was cool, seemed to burn, but Theodora's touch affected the other woman likewise for she said: "There is evil enough in the palm of your hand to destroy the world! We are well met, you and I. You are worthy of my confidence. These fingers would pick the fruit off the forbidden tree, for men to eat and die! Lady Theodora--I may some day teach you the great secret--meanwhile I will show you that I possess it!" With these words she walked to the chest, took from it an ebony casket and laid it upon the table. "There is death enough in this casket," she said, "to kill every man and woman in Rome!" Theodora fastened her gaze upon it, as if she would have drawn out the secret of its contents by the very magnetism of her eyes. For, even while Sidonia was speaking, a thought flashed through her visitor's mind--a thought which almost made her forget the purpose on which she had come. She laid her hands upon it caressingly, trembling, eager to see its contents. "Open it!" said Sidonia. "Touch the spring and look!" Theodora touched the little spring. The lid flew back and there flashed from it a light which for a moment dazzled her by its very brilliancy. She thrust the cabinet from her in alarm, imagining she inhaled the odor of some deadly perfume. "Its glitter terrifies me!" she said. "Its odor sickens." "Your conscience frightens you," sneered Sidonia. Theodora rose to her feet, her face pale, her eyes alight with a strange fire. "This to me?" she flashed. For a moment the two women faced each other in a white silence. A strange smile played upon Sidonia's lips. "The Aqua Tofana in the hands of a coward is a gift as fatal to its possessor as to its victim!" "You are brave to speak such words to Theodora!" Sidonia gave her an inscrutable glance. "Why should I fear you? Even without these,--woman to woman," she replied, as she drew the casket to herself and took out a phial, gilt and chased with strange symbols.