the secret of her life, was almost a
stranger to her.

She took with her a new book, and contrived as soon as possible to read
instead of talking. It required less effort, and while she read, her
mind could go back to the thoughts which were still in the stir and
commotion of their recent disturbance. But all her efforts could not
bring back to her face and voice the natural joyousness which had died
out of them. A stranger would have seen no signs of emotion or trouble
in her look and manner, but this was the utmost she could accomplish. To
familiar, and above all, to loving eyes, the change was as evident as it
was sorrowful; and Mr. Leigh speculated much on the subject. Guessing
more truly than perhaps others of her associates might do, he wrote to
Maurice that night that he feared some heavy trouble either threatened,
or had come upon Mrs. Costello and Lucia. The same evening Mr.
Strafford came to the Cottage. It was a year since his last visit, and
the events which had taken place in the meantime made him even more than
usually welcome to Mrs. Costello. He scarcely needed to be told that
Lucia had now, at last, heard the story of her birth--he read it in her
face, and rejoiced that there was full confidence between mother and
daughter. As the three sat together round the fire--for the evenings
were already growing chilly, and the leaves in the garden began to
fall--they spoke together of the subject on which Mrs. Costello had been
so anxiously waiting her friend's counsel.

"I am afraid you are right," Mr. Strafford said. "The only way to avoid,
with certainty, any danger of meeting, is for you to leave Canada."

"It is hard for both of us," Mrs. Costello answered. "Our little home is
very pleasant, and we have dear and kind friends here--but I see that we
must go."

"Have you decided where to go to?"

"No. That is one of the things I want you to decide for me."

"You cannot bear to live in a large town?"

"Better now probably than I did years ago," Mrs. Costello said, with a
faint smile. "I am more used now to a civilized life than I was then."

"I think your best security now, as then, would be found in a crowd--or
if you dislike that, you might travel from place to place for a time."

"Are you strong enough for that, mamma?" asked Lucia. "If you are, it is
surely the best plan."

"It is the best plan," Mrs. Costello answered, "because it would be a
sufficient reason for our leaving here. Only it is a