CHAPTER XXII.
TO GO ON A VISIT.
A month must have passed since Henry had sought to investigate the standing of Dr.Linmarck, when, one evening, Ellen astonished her father with the news that old Mrs.Colton was to be taken on a visit to her sister, who lived in New Jersey.

The sister had written an urgent letter to Mrs.Brooks, begging that the old lady might straightway be sent to her, and offering to relieve Mr.Brooks of all the trouble and responsibility that might be incurred by the journey.
She would send her son and her family physician.

Witherspoon grunted at so absurd a request and was surprised that Brooks should grant it.
The old woman might die on the train, and besides, what possible pleasure could she extract from such a visit?
It was nonsense.
"But suppose the poor old creature wants to go ?" said Mrs.
Witherspoon.
"Ah, but how is any one to know whether she does or not ?" "Of course no one can tell what she thinks, but it is reasonable to suppose that she would like to see her sister." "Oh, yes, it is reasonable to suppose almost anything when you start out on that line; but it's not common sense to act upon almost any supposition.

Of course, the old lady can live but a short time, and I think that if she were given her own choice she would prefer to die in her own bed.

I shall advise Brooks not to let her go." "I hope you'll not do that," said Henry, and he spoke with an eagerness that caused the merchant to give him a look of sharp inquiry.