had really been worth loving," Mrs. Bellairs
added; and then they left the subject, quite forgetting that reason and
love seldom go hand-in-hand, and that Lucia was still devoutly believing
in two falsities: first, that Percy was capable of a steady and faithful
affection, and secondly, that he must still have something of that
affection for her. Even at this very moment she was comforting her heart
with this belief; and the discovery that her mother's dearest friends
showed no inclination to desert them in their new character, filled her
with a kind of blind sweet confidence in that one whom, as she now
thought, she had treated so ungenerously, and who did not yet know their
secret.

In the parlour, meanwhile, many things were discussed. Mrs. Bellairs
assured her friend that the necessary arrangements for Christian's
release had already been commenced, and that Mr. Bellairs would see that
there was not a moment's delay which could be avoided. On the other
hand, however, there was strong in Mrs. Costello's mind the doubt
whether her husband would live to be removed. The utmost she now hoped
for, with any certainty, was to have liberty to be with him constantly
till the end. Finally, she told Mrs. Bellairs of her intention of going
to the jail that day and announcing her claim to the first place by the
prisoner's sick bed. Mrs. Bellairs thought a little over this plan, then
she said,

"It is impossible that in this weather you can be constantly going
backwards and forwards between here and the jail. At our house you would
be scarcely three minutes' drive away, and there is always the sleigh
and Bob. You and Lucia must come and stay with us."

And to this plan after much opposition and argument they were all
obliged to give in; Mr. Strafford and Lucia were called into council,
but Mrs. Bellairs was resolved.

"You shall see nobody," she said. "You shall be exactly as much at
liberty as if you were at home, and it will spare you both time and
strength for your nursing. It will do Bella good, too; and if we can be
of any use or comfort to you, it will seem a kind of reparation."

CHAPTER XVI.

The end of the conference was that Mr. Strafford started alone for the
jail, while Mrs. Costello and Mrs. Bellairs went together to Mr. Leigh,
to explain to him the new state of affairs; and after that, drove back
to Cacouna, whither Lucia also was to follow later. Mr. Strafford could
at that time spare but one day for