"What is your wish, good woman?" continued the first speaker.
"I want to see my children."
Her voice was so low and mournful, and her pale face, which still retained many traces of former beauty, expressed so strongly her maternal anxiety, that the hearts of all were touched.
They looked at each other for a few moments, and after some whispered words, directed that she should be allowed to see her children for half an hour each day.
The keeper now called their attention to certain of their proceedings, some weeks past, and they found that places had been obtained for two of them, the oldest boy, and the little girl, scarce ten years old.
"We have obtained good places for two of your children, madam; the other, aged two years, you can have under your own care, while here."
"And all without allowing me one word, as to who should take them, or where they should go! My poor little Mary, what can you do as a servant?"
"They are well provided for, madam. You can now retire."
Mrs. Warburton did retire, and with a bleeding heart. Her little Emma was restored to her, and was constantly by her side. She had been two months in the alms-house, when she was strong enough to work, and by a rule of he place, she had to work two months, to pay for her keeping while sick, before she would be allowed to go out, and maintain herself.
Slowly and heavily passed the hours for two weary months, when she presented herself for a release from imprisonment.