"But I am not brute enough to——"
"Peace," said Elizabeth; "if you would serve me, obey him."
"Obey him," answered North, with a sneer. "I would do almost anything. Yes, and I will do even that; but you are the only woman on earth for whom I would so bend and creep to this man."
These words stung Mellen like vipers, but he would not allow those two criminals to know how his heart writhed.
"It is well," he said; "there is more to be done. Go and finish your work."
North took up the spade.
"Remember," he said. "It is for her sake."
Elizabeth made an effort to speak.
"Be still," said Mellen, "we need no more words."
North began throwing the earth back into the trench, Elizabeth sat still and watched him.