The proposition of Michael to put out Henry startled into activity the conscious fear that had for some months been stifled in her bosom; and now she had to look the matter full in the face, and, in spite of all her feelings of reluctance, confess to herself that the effort to keep her children around her must prove unavailing.

But how could she part with her boy?
How could she see him put out among strangers?
How could she bear to let him go away from her side, and be henceforth treated as a servant, and be compelled to perform labor above his years?
The very thought made her sick.
Her frugal meal was soon finished, and then the children were put to bed.

After laying away their clothes, and setting back the table from which their supper had been eaten, Mrs.Gaston seated herself by the already nearly half burned penny candle, whose dim light scarcely enabled her failing eyesight to discern the edges of the dark cloth upon which she was working, and composed herself to her task.

Hour after hour she toiled on, weary and aching in every limb.

But she remitted not her labors until long after midnight, and then not until her last candle had burned away to the socket in which it rested.