Elsie could think, now that Elizabeth showed herself ready to bear her danger alone. She got out the rouge, rubbed it on her sister's cheeks, and smoothed her hair.
"Now you look like yourself—nobody would notice. Go quick—stop them—stop them!"
CHAPTER LII.
WOODMAN, SPARE THAT TREE.
Elizabeth dared not pause an instant for reflection; she opened the door, walked downstairs, through the library, and joined her husband on the lawn.
He turned at her approach. She felt a mad sort of courage nerve her—she could speak now.
"What, planning against the great cypress?" she asked, and even in that moment of supreme agony and fear she was conscious of vague wonder at the composure of her voice.
"It seems to be dying," replied Mellen; "I am going to have the earth dug away from about the roots."
"I am afraid you will only kill it," returned Elizabeth; "it is so late in the season."