She stretched there, burying her face in the pine needles, digging her fingers into them, wanting nothing so much as that they might hide her.

The moment was incomprehensible to Ellen, and utterly intolerable.

The sharp pine needles, piercing her wrists and cheeks, and her hot heaving breast, seemed to give her exquisite relief.
The shrill snort of a horse sounded near at hand.

With a shock Ellen's body stiffened.

Then she quivered a little and her feelings underwent swift change.