y very ill,
poor creature."

"What is it? Anything new, or only an increase of weakness?"

"Just that, ma'am. Always a fever, and every day less strength to stand
against it. The doctor says he can't last long in the way he's going
on."

"And can _nothing_ be done?"

"Well, you see, he can't take food; and more air than he has we can't
give him. It is hard on those that have spent most of their lives out of
doors to be shut up anywhere, and naturally he feels stifled."

"Do you say he takes no food?"

"Next to none. It is not to say that he can't take the regular meals,
but we have tried everything we could think of, and it is all much the
same."

"I should like to see him again. Can I do so?"

"Oh yes, ma'am. There need be no difficulty about that; but he knows
nobody."

Elton got up to leave.

"I will write to Mr. Strafford," Mrs. Costello said, "and meantime I
will come myself to-morrow, if you can admit me then."

"Certainly, ma'am, and I am much obliged to you."

Mrs. Costello sank back into her chair when he was gone, and covered her
face with her hands. Disease and death then would not wait for that
trial, to which she had looked as the inevitable first step towards the
prisoner's release. He was about perhaps to be emancipated in a speedier
way than by man's justice. But if so, would not he be always supposed
guilty? Would not the blot upon her and her child be ineffaceable?
Whether or not, he must not die alone, untended by those who were
nearest to him, and dependent on the charity and kindness of strangers.
She called Lucia, and told her what she had just heard.

"I shall write to Mr. Strafford," she said, "and if there seems no
special reason for doing otherwise, I will wait for his coming before I
make any change; but if he cannot come just now, or if I should find it
needful for--for your father's sake, Lucia, our secret must be told at
once."

At that word "your father" a sudden flush had risen to the cheeks of
both mother and child. They had both been learning lately to _think_ of
the father and husband by his rightful titles, but this was perhaps the
first time he had been so spoken of; each felt it as the first step
towards his full recognition.

Lucia was silent for a moment, and Mrs. Costello asked, "Do you think
that is being too hasty?"

"Oh! _no_, mamma. I think it should be done at once. But you will let me
go with you?"

"Not to-morrow, darling; perhaps afterwards."

"M