We must leave Harry to tell his own wonderful adventures, but Etta had
already recounted to Mr. and Mrs. Aylett how Captain Carew had been
kindness itself to the prisoners of Santa Teresa when he landed at St.
Catherine, and how he had taken all the party on board, and, after
landing the new Governor at Jamaica, had gone to the island where Carlo
and Harry Fenn had been left, helped to find it by the rude chart which
Andreas had drawn. It can be easily understood how happy was the
meeting, and how Doña Elena landed to see her brother’s grave, and heard
how he had died in Carlo’s arms. Then, last, Captain Carew had taken
them all on board again, and had landed the Spaniards in Spain, and Etta
had been comforted at the loss of Felipa by Carlo’s saying that she must
come some day as an honoured guest to his home; that when he was a man
he would travel to England, as he meant to be a Spanish Ambassador at
the Court of King Charles. Then how excited she had been when she first
beheld the shores of England, and knew that she was indeed no longer a
prisoner, but a free English girl. Captain Carew, having relations of
his own near South Benfleet, had himself taken the young people to Mr.
Aylett, as Harry, now thoughtful beyond his years, knew that his sudden
reappearance at home might cause too great a shock to his parents;
besides, he thought Mr. Aylett could best judge what was to be done
about finding Etta Allison’s relations.
You can all imagine the joy of the homecoming; but I must add that there
was a grand harvest-home that year at Pitsea Manor Farm, and such joy as
never had been. What made it seem so wonderful to Harry was that Etta
was there, dressed in a pretty gown of white _sémé_; and that he led off
the country dance with her; and that her sweet, brave face made the
whole hall appear merry; for, as Mrs. Fenn said, ’all could see Etta was
dancing a very Barley Bree o’ mirth.’
Her uncle had been found, and had come over to see her; but, being an
old bachelor, he was glad enough to pay a yearly sum to Mrs. Aylett, and
to let her stay with that excellent lady; saying he should leave her all
his money, and stipulating that she was to pay him yearly visits. No
wonder Etta was happy as she danced with Harry, or told stories of the
past.
――――
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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