'My own heart assures me of it, my child,' said Lady Annabel weeping; and they mingled their tears together, but tears not of sorrow.
'Poor George!' said Lady Annabel, 'he will have a terrible journey to
Sarzana, and be feeling so much for us! Perhaps he may meet them.'
'I feel assured he will,' said Venetia; 'and perhaps ere long they will all three be here again. Joy! joy!'
'They must never go in that boat again,' said Lady Annabel.
'Oh! they never will, dearest mother, if you ask them not,' said
Venetia.
'We will send to Lerici,' said Lady Annabel.
'Instantly,' said Venetia; 'but I dare say they already sent us a messenger.'
'No!' said Lady Annabel; 'men treat the danger that is past very lightly. We shall not hear from them except in person.'
Time now flew more lightly. They were both easy in their minds. The messenger was despatched to Lerici; but even Lerici was a considerable distance, and hours must elapse before his return. Still there was the hope of seeing them, or hearing from them in the interval.
'I must go out, dear mother,' said Venetia. 'Let us both go out. It is now very fine. Let us go just to the ravine, for indeed it is impossible to remain here.'