amma, I ought to go."

Mrs. Costello in her turn was silent, thinking whether this new
emergency ought not to hasten the execution of her plans for Lucia.
Finally, she decided that it ought; but it was with some trepidation
that she began the subject.

"I see plainly enough," she said, with an effort to smile, "that I ought
to go, and that my strongest duty at present will be at the jail, but I
am not so sure about you."

"But you do not suppose that I shall let you wear yourself out while I
stay at home doing nothing?"

"I wish you to go away for a time."

"Me! Away from you?"

"Would it be so hard?"

"Impossible. I would not leave you for anything."

"Not even to obey me, Lucia?"

"Mamma, _what_ do you mean?"

"I wish you to go for a little while to England, where you have so often
wished to go."

"And in the meantime what are you going to do?"

"At present you see how I shall be occupied. When the trial is over, I
hope to bring your father here and nurse him as long as he requires
nursing."

"And then?"

"Then we will be together somewhere; I do not yet know where."

"And where am I to go in England?"

"My cousin will take care of you for me. Remember, it is only for a
little while."

"Have you been plotting against me long, mother?"

"My child, I have been obliged to think of your future."

"And you thought that I was a baby still--only an encumbrance, to be
sent away from you when you had other troubles to think of?"

"My best comforter, rather."

"Well then, mother, I have my plan, which is better than yours, and more
practicable, too."

"Mine is perfectly practicable; I have thought well of it."

"It is impracticable; because I am not going to England, or indeed to
leave you at all."

"But, Lucia, I have written to my cousin."

"I am very sorry, mamma, but I cannot help it. Indeed, I do not want to
be disobedient, or to vex you, but you must see that if I _did_ go it
would only make us both wretched, and besides, it would not be _right_."

Mrs. Costello sighed.

"How not right?"

"I think, mother, that when people know who we are--I mean when my
father comes here--there will be a great deal of speculation and gossip
about us all, and people will watch us very closely, and that it would
be better if when you bring him home, everything should be as if he had
never been away from us. Do you know what I mean?"

"I suppose I do," Mrs. Costello answered slowly. "You mean that whe