"You may at least depend upon one thing," she answered, "we will do all
we can to take care of him."

"Thank you, that I know. But, Mrs. Costello, I should be so glad if you
would write to me, and so give me the comfort of knowing exactly how he
is."

"Certainly I will. You shall have a regular bulletin every mail if you
like."

"Indeed, I should like it. And you will send me news also of yourself?"

Mrs. Costello sighed.

"I am forgetting," she said, "and making promises I may not be able to
keep. I do not know how long I may be here, or where I may be three
months hence."

Maurice looked at her in surprise. That she, who for twelve years had
never quitted her home for a single night, should speak thus of leaving
it without visible cause or preparation, seemed almost incredible.

She answered his look.

"Yes, I am serious. A dreadful trouble is threatening me, and to save
myself and Lucia, I may have to go away. No one knows anything of it.
Now that you are leaving us, I dare say so much to you."

"This, then, is why you have changed so, lately? Could not you have