For your own sake I have not yet shared my troubles, such as they are, with you; for your own sake I see that I must soon do so.

Leave me at present to decide, if I can, what is best for us both." Lucia was silent.

She saw that even this short conversation had disturbed, instead of comforting her mother; she dared not therefore say more, and could only busy herself in arranging everything with affectionate care for her comfort during the night.
Next morning when Maurice came, he was surprised to find Mrs.Costello up, and looking as usual.

Lucia's uneasiness had almost melted away in the daylight; she was more gentle and attentive than usual to her mother, but had persuaded herself that with her care, and, above all, with her sympathy, when the promised "long story" should be told, all would come right.

She had still, however, enough need of sympathy to make her manner to Maurice such as he liked best.