"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." "Would she go--would she?" questioned the girl, looking up eagerly. "It was her earnest wish to leave the country before this awful charge was made." "Lady Phipps--Lady Phipps! May I go to Sir William? May I kneel to him and beg for her life?" "I will go with you, child," answered the lady. "Alas, it was an evil day for this poor woman when she came among us!" "Let us go--let us go at once!" cried Elizabeth, rising, and pushing back the hair from her forehead. "I shall not sleep till it is done. He cannot resist you. May Abigail Williams come with us?" Abigail sat by herself, looking wistfully out into the storm. She turned her head as Elizabeth called to her, but did not attempt to rise. "No," she said. "I have done nothing toward hunting this unhappy lady to her death." "Always cruel, always cold," said Elizabeth, reproachfully. "Well, as I have borne witness against her, so will I go alone and beg for her life on my knees." "It is better so," whispered Lovel, as Lady Phipps hesitated. "When it comes to the worst, dear friend, we must claim your help. That will be our last hope." Elizabeth left the room as they were conversing, and went into the library. Few words were spoken after she left. Abby Williams gazed out into the storm as if she had no part in the general trouble. Lady Phipps sat with downcast eyes, looking thoughtfully on the floor. Norman paced up and down the room, turning anxiously at every sound, expecting to see Elizabeth. She came at last, pale and heavy-eyed, moving wearily across the hall. "She has failed!" cried Norman. "Oh, misery, she has failed!"