"Of course—hope is tenacious!"
Turning to the mother she took her by the hand, leaned her head on her shoulder, and said in a new, simple voice, near to the heart of the mother:
"But I'll tell you after all, mamma, you're waiting in vain—he won't try to escape!"
"My dear darling!" exclaimed the mother, pressing Sasha to her tremulously. "Take me; I won't interfere with you; I don't believe it is possible—to escape!"
"She'll go," said the girl simply to Nikolay.
"That's your affair!" he answered, bowing his head.
"We mustn't be together, mamma. You go to the garden in the lot. From there you can see the wall of the prison. But suppose they ask you what you are doing there?"
Rejoiced, the mother answered confidently:
"I'll think of what to say."
"Don't forget that the overseers of the prison know you," said Sasha; "and if they see you there——"