I assure you I won't answer for the consequences if she does not." "Lucia shall go if she wishes it." Mrs.Costello spoke gravely, and stopped abruptly.

She resumed, "You know I never leave home; and it may be excused to a mother who sees nothing of the world, to fear it a little for her only child." "_Such_ a child, too! She is growing perfectly lovely.

But, then, dear Mrs.Costello, the very idea of calling our tiny backwood's society, 'the world;' and as for Lucia, if you _will_ not come with her, I promise, at any rate, to take the same care of her as I will of my Flo when she is big enough to face our great world." She spoke laughing, but with some earnestness under the sparkle of her bright eyes; and immediately afterwards rose, saying, "I suppose Bella cannot leave Bob, and Lucia will not leave Bella, so I must go to them; and if Lucia pleases, she may come to-morrow ?" "Yes, yes; I am foolish.

She shall come, I promise you for her.

And, indeed, I ought to thank you also." "No, no; I can't expect to be thanked for committing a theft.