"How madly we are talking!" said Elizabeth, pressing one hand to her throbbing forehead.
Elsie pressed her own soft palm upon the strained hand, striving to soothe the evident pain. But Elizabeth shrunk away from the half caress, and said, in a low, husky voice:
"Leave me, Elsie, leave me; I will deal with this alone."
The young girl went away with a sense of relief. Then Elizabeth started up in bed, tore open the hateful note, and read it through.
CHAPTER XLIII.
KINDLY ANXIETIES.
Elsie went in search of Tom; who was walking up and down the veranda, looking anxious still, but his face cleared when he saw Elsie, like a granite rock lighted up by a sudden flood of sunshine.
"How is she?" he asked.
"Oh, a great deal better; she is going to sleep; that is, if Grant will be sensible enough to leave her alone; you men are dreadfully stupid creatures."