"Leave me, boy! leave me!"
Was the strong man weeping, or were all his tears forced back into that thrilling voice? Never in his life had Norman seen the governor so moved.
From the library Norman went to the little breakfast-parlor, where Lady Phipps sat in dull silence with Elizabeth Parris and Abby Williams.
The lady had evidently been weeping, for there was a flush under her eyes, and her cheerfulness was all gone.
"I have heard the sad news," she said, moving upon the sofa, that he might sit by her. "Poor lady! I cannot choose but pity her."
"I knew that her fate would touch you with compassion. God help the sweet lady, for men and women both seem hardened against her."
Elizabeth Parris, who sat in a great easy-chair, with her tear-stained cheek gleaming white against the crimson cushions, began to cry piteously, and sobbed out,
"Ah, me! If she could but go over seas and live her years out there! If they drown her I shall never know rest again."
Norman went up to the young girl, and kissed her forehead.
"Help me to save her, darling. Plead with Lady Phipps, and with Sir William. He has the power to pardon her. As I came from the court an English ship hove in sight, struggling against the storm. Let us save this unhappy woman from death, Elizabeth, and that ship shall carry her away from these shores forever."