"Be a woman, with some feeling for a sister woman!" cried Elizabeth, aroused into severity.
"It's all very well for you to talk, you are a great strong thing; I don't mean that you are big, but your nerves are like iron and I am so weak. Grantley says he believes the least thing would kill me; he knows how frail my health is."
Passionate indignation lighted up Elizabeth's face for an instant, but it softened into pity, like that with which she might have regarded a pet animal whimpering under a hurt.
"Be good to me," said Elsie. "I can't help you. I don't mean to be selfish, but I must have my sunshine. I don't dare even to talk about it at all. If Grant ever should find out anything, even my talking to you about it would enrage him so!"
"And what would become of me?" demanded Elizabeth. "Do you never think of what would happen to me?"
"Oh, but he won't find out anything," urged Elsie, changing her tone at once. "Just let things rest. The wretch will be quiet for a time."
"No, no; I tell you money must be raised."
"More money?"
"I promised it; there was no other way. But heaven knows where I shall get it."
"Well, tell Grant about some family or hospital——"