It was long before the one single fact of Christian's innocence--proved, unquestionable innocence--had become sufficiently real and familiar for the mother and daughter to hear or to tell how the truth had come to light, and the justice of Heaven been swifter and surer than that of man.

But at length all that Mrs.Costello knew was told; and in the deep joy and thankfulness with which they saw that horrible stain of murder wiped out, they were ready to forget even more completely than before, all the disgrace which still clung to the miserable prisoner, and to welcome him on his release with no forced kindness.
"On his release?
Ought he not to be with them now ?" Lucia asked the question.
"He does not yet even know all," Mrs.Costello answered.

"He is so excessively weak that they dared not tell him till to-morrow." "To-morrow, then, he will be here ?" "No, that is impossible.

There is much to be done first; but very soon I hope." Yet both doubted in their hearts whether the shadow--ever deepening--of approaching death could yet be so checked as to suffer the prisoner to breathe the free air for which he pined.
Meanwhile, the story was being told by every fireside in Cacouna with more of wonder and of comment than by that one where it had the deepest interest.

And it was a tale that would be remembered and repeated for years, though no living man could tell it all.
That morning Clarkson had been for some hours at Cacouna.