But she wanted to hear her mother's reasons, so she asked—
"Why cannot we wait till spring?"
Mrs. Costello again paused before answering. She, like Lucia, had more thoughts on the subject than she was willing to express; but she had one powerful reason for losing no time, which she decided that Lucia ought to know.
"Because I am anxious to see my cousin, who is almost our only relation, and to introduce you to him."
"But why, mamma? As we cannot go to England what good will it do us just to see him for a moment?"
"I cannot go to England, but there is nothing to prevent you from doing so."
"Oh, dear, that old idea still! It is quite useless, mamma. You shall not send me away from you."
Lucia knelt by her mother's side, and looked up into her face with eyes full of mingled entreaty and resolution. Mrs. Costello drew her close within her arm.
"No, my darling. I have given up that idea altogether. Indeed, there is no longer any need for it, and I should grudge losing you out of my sight for a single day now. But, don't you understand that a time may be coming when we shall have to part, whether we will or no?"
"Ah! not yet. There is plenty of time to think of that."