or in mine until to-night, and knowing how much depends on it, I do implore you to be quiet and not cry. If Mrs. Geldheraus fails me, I shall enquire everywhere for some good, kind woman who will take care of you till you grow a little older, for of course you must see how impossible it would be for me to go about with a baby of your age. This evening, after dinner, when it is dark, I will try to smuggle you out unobserved to the woman, if I can find one suitable, then give warning, and go to some quiet place where nobody knows us, and where I can perhaps have you back to live with me. Now what do you think of my plan? Do you like it?"
Augusta evidently did not, for she shook her head as vehemently as she could.
"Well," said Prudence crossly, "if you don't you needn't. I can think of nothing better, and you are not able to give me much help or advice. You have only yourself to thank for having brought all this trouble on us. I'm sure I never was so worried in my life."
Augusta was perforce silent, but her eyes followed every movement of her sister.
"Now," continued Prudence, as the breakfast gong sounded, "I must go downstairs.
