we succeed? Is not his insanity the best thing that could happen?"

"I think not in this case. People seem to have made up their minds that
he was sane enough, on that day, to be accountable for what he did; and
if we could only recall him to himself, he might be able to give us
some clue to the truth."

"I will go then," she answered; and Lucia saw that it would be only
inflicting useless pain, to make any further objections. But she was not
satisfied.

Mr. Strafford saw her concerned and uneasy look, and said,

"It is an experiment worth trying, Lucia. If it does not succeed, I
promise that I will not recommend it to be repeated."

"But, Mr. Strafford, all Cacouna will know of my mother's going to the
jail--she who never goes anywhere."

"That has been the great difficulty in the way, certainly, but I think
we can manage it. The jailer, Elton, is a good man, and truly concerned
about the condition of his prisoner. He talked to me to-day about him so
compassionately, that I asked whether it would be possible for any one
residing in the town to be allowed to visit him. He said any one I chose
to bring with me should see him, and therefore there need be no gossip
or surprise at your mother going, first of all."

There was no more to be said; and each of the three was glad to let the
conversation drop and try to turn their thoughts to other and less
painfully absorbing subjects. But to mother and daughter all other