4
On leaving Venice, Tacita Mora’s ultimate destination was to go to her mother’s relatives, after some months spent in travel. Elena was to be her companion and guardian on the journey.
Who her mother’s relatives were, and where they were, she did not know. She had once asked her mother, who replied,—
“My child, it is better, for many reasons, that you should not know till you see them. They are quiet, respectable people. You have nothing to disturb your mind about on their account. They know of you. They will keep track of you, and seek you at the proper time.
“But, as I do not wish others, who would be unfriendly, should know of them, it is better that you should remain ignorant for the present. People may ask you questions, and you will thus be spared the trouble of evading, or ref
