_She's_ all right, if we can but get her on her legs again." This opinion was not altogether a mistaken one.

Lucia went immediately to Bella and told her simply that Doctor Hardy was much concerned about Mrs.Clarkson, and that she herself was going to Beaver Creek to see what could best be done for the poor woman and her family.

A quiver passed over Mrs.Morton's face.

She could not yet quite free herself from the impulse of revenge which would have held her back from help and pity; she had the natural feeling which Mrs.Costello had half unconsciously imputed to her, that she ought to be the last to console the widow and children of the murderer; such feelings, however had but a momentary power over her; the idea which was most at home in her mind and took root to the extinction of the others, was just the simple womanly one that there was somebody in deep trouble whom she could help.
She said shortly and without any exclamations or questions, "I will go with you; Elise wants Bob to take your mamma home, and it will take us too long to walk, so I will send down to Lane's at once for a sleigh.
Tell Mrs.Costello, Lucia, and then get ready." There was nothing for anybody to say against Bella's going.

She had always been decided and independent in her doings, and since her widowhood nobody thought of advising or persuading her.