As for himself, the doubt he had expressed was merely a doubt--a matter of speculation, not of feeling.

Still, while it remained in his mind, it was a sufficient reason for using every possible means of discovering the truth, and scarcely needed the additional impulse given by his warm regard for Mrs.Costello and Lucia, to induce him to devote himself, as far as his other duties would allow, to the unfortunate Christian.

He was anxious to bring the long separated husband and wife together, not merely for the reason he had spoken of, but because he thought that if their meetings promised comfort or benefit to the prisoner, it would be his wife's duty to continue them; while if they proved useless, she might be released from all obligation to remain at Cacouna..