in favor of that reality. Why did Woodward's arm tremble, and why did
the man, who was supposed ignorant of fear, exhibit so much terror and
agitation on the occasion? Still, on the other hand, there appeared to
be a conversation, as it were, between them, and a familiarity of manner
considerably at variance with Woodward's version of the circumstances.
Be this as it might, he felt it to be a subject on which he could, by no
process of reasoning, come to anything like a definite conclusion.

Woodward now determined to consult his mother as to the plan of their
future operations. The absence of Alice, and the possible chance of her
recovery, rendered it necessary that some new series of projects should
be adopted; but although several had occurred to him, he had not yet
come to a definite resolution respecting the selection he would make.
With this view he and his conscientious mother closeted themselves in
her room, and discussed the state of affairs in the following dialogue:

"Mother," said he, "this escape of Miss Curds-and-whey is an untoward
business. What, after all, if she should recover?"

"Recover!" exclaimed the lady; "why, did you not assure me that such an
event was impossible--that you were killing her, and that she must die?"

"So I still think; but so long as the notion of her recovery exists,
even only as a dream, so certainly ought we to provide against such a
calamity."

"Ah! Harry," she exclaimed, "you may well term it a calamity, for such
indeed it would be to you."

"Well, but what do you think ought to be done, my dear mother? I
am anxious to have both your advice and opinion upon our future
proceedings. Suppose change of air--the waters of that damned brimstone
spring, and above all things, the confidence she will derive from the
consciousness that she is removed from me and out of my reach--suppose,
I say, that all these circumstances should produce a beneficial effect
upon her, then how do I stand?"

"Why, with very little hope of the property," she replied; "and then
what tenacity of life she has! Why, there are very few girls who would
not have been dead long ago, if they had gone through half what she has
suffered. Well, you wish to ask me how I would advise you to act?"

"Of course I do."

"Well, then, you have heard the old proverb: It is good to have two
strings to one's bow. We shall set all consideration of her aside for a
time, and turn our attention to another object."

"Wha