The absence of Alice, and the possible chance of her recovery, rendered it necessary that some new series of projects should be adopted; but although several had occurred to him, he had not yet come to a definite resolution respecting the selection he would make.
With this view he and his conscientious mother closeted themselves in her room, and discussed the state of affairs in the following dialogue: "Mother," said he, "this escape of Miss Curds-and-whey is an untoward business.

What, after all, if she should recover ?" "Recover!" exclaimed the lady; "why, did you not assure me that such an event was impossible--that you were killing her, and that she must die ?" "So I still think; but so long as the notion of her recovery exists, even only as a dream, so certainly ought we to provide against such a calamity." "Ah! Harry," she exclaimed, "you may well term it a calamity, for such indeed it would be to you." "Well, but what do you think ought to be done, my dear mother?
I am anxious to have both your advice and opinion upon our future proceedings.

Suppose change of air--the waters of that damned brimstone spring, and above all things, the confidence she will derive from the consciousness that she is removed from me and out of my reach--suppose, I say, that all these circumstances should produce a beneficial effect upon her, then how do I stand ?" "Why, with very little hope of the property," she replied; "and then what tenacity of life she has! Why, there are very few girls who would not have been dead long ago, if they had gone through half what she has suffered.

Well, you wish to ask me how I would advise you to act ?" "Of course I do." "Well, then, you have heard the old proverb: It is good to have two strings to one's bow.

We shall set all consideration of her aside for a time, and turn our attention to another object." "What or who is that, mother ?" "You remember I mentioned some time ago the names of a neighboring nobleman and his niece, who lives with him.