t," said he, smiling. "But you can go over
in one ship while I am going over in another, and be there as soon as
I, or before."

"I don't know," said Dolly. "I can't tell about father. I don't know
when he will be persuaded to leave England."

She looked doubtful and troubled now. Possible difficulties and
hindrances began to loom up before her, never looked at until then.
What if her father would not go? What if he persisted in staying by the
companions who were his comrades in temptation? Could she go away and
leave him to them? and leave her mother to him? Here offered itself
another sort of self-sacrifice, to which nothing could be objected
except its ruinous effect upon her own future. Nay, not _her_ own
future alone; but what of that? "Fais que dois advienne que pourra." It
all swept through Dolly's head with the speed, and something of the
gloom, of a whirlwind.

"I don't know anything about his movements," she repeated anxiously.
"Only, mother and I cannot get him away."

"In that case, I will come to England for you."

"Oh no!" said Dolly, shaking her head; "_that_ would not do. I could
not leave him and mother here."

"Why not?"

Dolly was silent. She could not tell him why not.

"Would it be more difficult here, than to leave them in America?" Mr.
Shubrick asked, the smile upon his lips checked by the very troubled
expression of Dolly's face.

"It would not be 'difficult' here; it would be _impossible_."

"May I ask, why more impossible, or difficult, than in America?"

Dolly was silent. What could she say?

"Suppose Mr. Copley should prefer to stay in England permanently?"

"Yes," said Dolly in a sort of whisper.

"What then?"

"I do not know," she answered faintly.

"In America it would be different?"

"Yes."

"Do you know, my little Dolly, you are speaking what it is very
difficult for me to understand?"

"Of course," said Dolly. "You cannot understand it."

"Are you not going to give me the grace of an explanation?"

"I cannot."

"Then I shall go to Mr. Copley for it."

"Oh no!" said Dolly, starting, and laying both her hands upon one of
the young officer's, as if in pleading or in hindering. "Oh no, Mr.
Shubrick! Please, _please_, do not speak to mother or father about
this! Please say nothing about it!"

He kissed and clasped the hands, making, however, no promise. For a
moment he paused, seeing that Dolly was very deeply disturbed.

"Do you think father and mother bot