held the lamp high

“I’ll try not to hurt you,” he said quietly, tucking the sheet about her. “See if you can put yourarms around my neck.”
Melanie tried but they fell back weakly a police shieldcould hold me upside
down and drainmy gutschange your mind. He bent, slipped an arm under her shoulders andanother across her knees and lifted her gently. She did not cry out but

Scarlett saw her bite her lipand go even whiter. Scarlettfor Rhett to see and started toward the door whenMelanie made a feeble gesture toward

the wall.
“What is it?” Rhett asked softly.
“Please,” Melanie whispered, trying to point. “Charles.”
Rhett looked down at her as if he thought her delirious but Scarlett understood and was irritated.
She knew Melanie wanted the daguerreotype of Charles which hung on the wall below his swordand pistol.
“Please,” Melanie whispered again, “the sword.”