'What I did,' moaned my mother, 'I did for the best. I prayed and hoped that time would set all things right. I see now that it was impossible, and that I was a weak foolish woman. But I loved you, my darling, and I would shed my heart's blood for you. What sin have I committed that I should be punished by the loss of my dear child's love?' 'No, no, mother,' I cried remorsefully, 'you must not say that. You have not lost it. God forbid that it should ever be so!' I think she did not hear me, for she slid from my arms and knelt before me, imploring me with sobs and broken words to forgive her. Many minutes passed before I succeeded in calming her, and then Josey West and I assisted her upstairs to her room, to the room which Jessie had made bright by her innocent devices. 'Jessie will never sleep here again,' I thought, with a choking sensation in my throat. This was _her_ room, Josey,' I said aloud. Josey nodded gravely, and whispered to me that my mother must go to bed, and that she ought to see a doctor. 'I hope she will not have a fever,' said Josey. My mother's eyes were wandering around her in a strange way; once or twice she looked at me as if she did not know me. The simple sound of my voice, however, recalled her to herself. 'Yes, dear child,' she said, with a smile so sad and sweet as to bring the tears into my eyes. 'Mother,' I whispered, 'you know what has occurred?' She considered for a moment or two; I assisted her memory. 'Jessie,' I said. 'I know now,' she replied, with a look of distress. 'Jessie has gone.' 'Will you be strong for my sake, mother?' 'I will do anything you tell me, my darling child,' she said humbly. 'First I will go and send a doctor to you. Then I want to try and find Jessie.' 'Dear child, do you know where she is?' 'No; and I have no hope of inducing her to return. I know she will never come back, but I cannot rest without doing something. I shall go mad if I stop in the house all night and make no effort to discover her.' 'Go, then, dear child,' she said; and added imploringly, You will come back, my darling, will you not? You will not desert me after all these years?' 'How can you think it, mother? I will come back, but it may be late.' 'I will keep awake for you, my darling. Say nothing more to your uncle. Promise me that, dear child.' 'I will not speak another word to him.' I turned to Josey West; she divined what I was about to say. 'I'll stop with your mother, if you _must_ go. Run round to my house first, and say I sha'n't be home to-night. And look here. If Turk's there, you'd best take him with you. I suppose you are going to Mr. Rackstraw's? 'That was my intention,' I said. 'Of course you know the office will be closed; but I daresay it will relieve your feelings to thump at the door.' She spoke fretfully; but her tone changed when she said, 'Don't think only of yourself. Have some thought for your mother.' 'One word, Josey. _You_ have no idea where Jessie is?'