"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."
Mrs. Costello in her turn was silent, thinking whether this new emergency ought not to hasten the execution of her plans for Lucia. Finally, she decided that it ought; but it was with some trepidation that she began the subject.
"I see plainly enough," she said, with an effort to smile, "that I ought to go, and that my strongest duty at present will be at the jail, but I am not so sure about you."
"But you do not suppose that I shall let you wear yourself out while I stay at home doing nothing?"
"Impossible. I would not leave you for anything."
"I wish you to go for a little while to England, where you have so often wished to go."
"And in the meantime what are you going to do?"
"At present you see how I shall be occupied. When the trial is over, I hope to bring your father here and nurse him as long as he requires nursing."
"Then we will be together somewhere; I do not yet know where."
"My cousin will take care of you for me. Remember, it is only for a little while."
"Have you been plotting against me long, mother?"
"My child, I have been obliged to think of your future."
"And you thought that I was a baby still--only an encumbrance, to be sent away from you when you had other troubles to think of?"
"Well then, mother, I have my plan, which is better than yours, and more practicable, too."
"Mine is perfectly practicable; I have thought well of it."
"It is impracticable; because I am not going to England, or indeed to leave you at all."