d to alter our decision."

"You are right in saying '_we_.' I helped you to decide once, and I
wish to change your decision now; for we yielded then to what we both
believed to be the claim of duty, arising out of Christian's
imprisonment and danger. Now, however, that he is quite safe, and that
his very imprisonment proves to be one of the very best things that
could happen to him, the case is reversed; and he is no longer the first
person to be thought of."

"You do not wish to prevent me from nursing him?"

"Certainly not. I only think that you can nurse him just as effectually
and tenderly without all the world knowing the claim he has upon you."

"You are quite certain that his memory and power of recognition will not
return?"

Mr. Strafford repeated what Dr. Hardy had said.

"I must think," Mrs. Costello answered. "Everything has come upon me so
quickly and confusingly, that I cannot decide all at once. Give me a
little while to consider."

She leaned back wearily, and Mr. Strafford, taking a book, went and sat
down at the further end of the room. So they remained till Mrs. Bellairs
and Mrs. Morton came in together.

When they did so, Mrs. Costello looked up with a half smile,

"I am something like the old man in the fable," she said, "every new
piece of advice I receive alters my plans."

"How?" asked Mrs. Bellairs. "Who has been advising you now?"

"No new adviser, at any rate. My old and tried friend there, who, I
believe, gives quite as much thought to my affairs as if they were his
own."

Mr. Strafford came forward.

"I have been trying to persuade Mrs. Costello," he said, "that a secret
which half-a-dozen people know may yet be a secret."

"Even when half the half-dozen are women? I am sure, Mr. Strafford, we
are indebted to you, if I guess truly what you mean."

A look, grave enough, passed between the two, though they spoke lightly.

"I have been thinking over all you say," Mrs. Costello went on,
addressing Mr. Strafford, "and I have decided to follow your advice. But
if at any moment, even the last, there should seem sufficient reason for
changing my opinion, remember that I do not promise not to do so."

Mr. Strafford was fully satisfied with this; he knew, or thought he
knew, perfectly, that Christian's condition was such as to ensure no
further change of conduct regarding him; and not long after, he and Mrs.
Costello returned together to the prison.

For two or three hours they sa