"He will notice it," returned Elizabeth. "It may be sold—he may find it."
"You can say that you lost it."
"But your brother is so suspicious."
"You ought to have had your wits about you," said Elsie, fretfully.
"It is easy for you to talk!" exclaimed Elizabeth. "If you had been in my place, listening to those threats——"
"Stop, stop!" Elsie almost shrieked, hiding her face in her hands. "I am going into spasms—I shall choke!"
"But a crisis is near!" exclaimed Elizabeth. "You don't know all that a bad, desperate creature is capable of, to accomplish his ends."
"I can't do anything," moaned Elsie. "What am I in all this? You promised to leave me in peace."
"So I will, Elsie—I will. God knows I am ready to bear my burthen alone; but sometimes I must speak."
"It does no good," said Elsie, beginning to cry. "I'd rather be dead than live in this way!"