It must also be admitted that Uncle Gilbert was not quite honest with Lucy, for when he proposed to her to get her father to Ireland as soon as possible, she understood that Chester was lawfully detained, but would meet them perhaps in Liverpool.  Though she, too, felt keenly the parting, yet she mistrusted no one.

So it came about that Lucy and her father were hurried to the station early next morning to catch a train for Liverpool.  The minister was physically strong enough to stand the journey, but he mutely questioned the reason for this hasty move.  Chester had absented himself all the previous day, and he did not even see them off at the station.  Lucy could not keep back the tears, though she tried to hide them as she tucked her father comfortably about with cushions in the first class compartment which they had reserved.

Uncle Gilbert’s victory was short lived, however; no sooner did the ailing man realize that Chester was not with them than he become visibly affected.  He tried hard to talk, but to no avail.  He looked pleadingly at Lucy and at his brother as if for information, but without results.  Lucy’s pinched, tear-stained face added to his restlessness, and there was a note of insincerity in Uncle Gilbert’s reassuring talk that his brother did not fail to discern.

That ride, usually so pleasant over the beautiful green country, was a most miserable one.  It was so painful to see the expression on the minister’s face that Uncle Gilbert began to doubt the wisdom of the plan he was trying.  Lucy became quite alarmed, and asked if they ought not to stop at one of the midland cities; but Uncle Gilbert said they could surely go on to Liverpool.

“But we can’t cross over to Ireland.  Father could not possibly stand the trip,” she said.

The uncle agreed to that.  “We’ll have to stop at Liverpool for a day or so—­I have it!” he exclaimed, “Captain Andrew Brown is now at home.  He told me to be sure to call, and bring you all with me.  He has a very nice house up the Mersey—­a fine restful place.  We’ll go there.”

And they did.  Lucy could say nothing for or against, and the father was so ill by the time they reached Liverpool that he did not seem to realize what he was doing or where he was going.  A cab took them all out from the noises of the city to the quiet of the countryside.  It was afternoon, and the sun shone slantingly on the waters of the river, above which on the hills amid trees and flowering gardens stood the house of Captain Andrew Brown.

As the carriage rolled along the graveled path to the house, the captain himself came to meet them, expressing his surprise and delight, and welcoming them most heartily.  The minister was helped out and into the house, where he was made comfortable.  Lucy was shown to her room by the housekeeper.  Uncle Gilbert made explanations to the captain of the reason for this untoward raid on his hospitality.