"No wonder—blame yourself for it. I cannot and will not endure this system of espionage—I will have my liberty—that you may understand!"
Mellen's passionate temper flamed up in his face, but he controlled it resolutely and did not speak.
"Be good enough to say all you wish and have done with the subject," she continued in the same irritating tone, utterly unlike her old method of parleying or enduring his evil words.
"I have nothing to ask," he said; "you are nervous and excited—we won't quarrel to-night."
He went out of the room, Elizabeth fell upon her knees by the couch, and groaned aloud.
"Oh! I am no longer myself! What wonder! what wonder!"
She drew a letter from her bosom and began to read it, moaning and crying as she read; then she threw it in the fire, stood watching till the last fragments were consumed, then sinking into a chair, buried her face in her hands. She remained a long time in that despondent attitude, her whole frame shaking at intervals with nervous tremors, and her breath struggling upwards in shuddering gasps.
There was a knock at the door at length.
"Who is there?" she called sharply; "what do you want?"
"Miss Elsie wished to know if you were coming to tea," said a servant. "There is a gentleman come to see Mr. Mellen from the city, ma'am."