ou, hasn't he?"

Effie nodded.

"Then I needn't go over it. Let's talk of something else. How is
mother?"

"She is very ill indeed--she watched for you all the evening."

"Watched for me? But I told her I shouldn't be back to-night."

"Yes; but she didn't believe you, or she forgot it--anyhow, she watched
for you, and when you didn't come, her mind began suddenly to wander;
she is in bed now--she is very, very ill."

"Go on," said George; "hammer it in hard--I deserve it all."

"Oh, George, why will you talk like that? Don't you believe in my love
for you?"

"I believe in mother's love. It's the only thing I have left to cling
to. I believe she'd go on loving me even after this--I do truly."

"Of course she would--nothing could turn her love from you. Now, won't
you let us consult together when Mr. Lawson comes into the room?"

"There's nothing to be done--nothing; I'm perfectly safe to be committed
for trial, and then I shall get at least two years. Mother will die. And
I shall have gone under forever."

"Nonsense! I have a thought in my head."

"You?" George spoke with almost contempt. "You always thought a great
deal of yourself, Effie, but even you can't pull the ropes on the
present occasion. I'm a thief, and I must suffer the penalty. That's the
long and short of it."

Effie rose suddenly and walked to the door. She called Lawson--he came
in at once.

"I think George will talk over matters now," she said. "But before we
begin any discussion, I wish to say what I have made up my mind to do. I
don't know Mr. Gering, but that does not matter. I mean to go to see him
the first thing to-morrow morning, and beg of him not to prosecute
George. That is the only chance for mother's life, and I mean to try
it."

CHAPTER XXII.

When Effie said these words, Lawson gave her a startled glance, and
George's sulkiness seemed to vanish magically. He opened his lips as if
to speak, then closed them again; a rush of color spread over his face,
and he turned his head aside.

"I fear it is impossible that you can do the least vestige of good, Miss
Staunton," said Lawson. "All the same it is a brave thought, and worthy
of you."

George looked round when Lawson said this; he fully expected Effie to
explain herself more fully, to argue the point, and to give her reasons
for approaching Mr. Gering. To the surprise of both the men, however,
she was silent. After a little pause, she said, turning to Lawson: