The fated smugglers were left behind within the cavern, under a strong and watchful guard, until morning, when they were handcuffed and chained in pairs, and then sent from the place to be tried and sentenced by the country’s laws, which for so many years they had boldly and successfully defied. The body of the squire was quietly interred in a wild and secluded spot not far from the sea, the people refusing to allow so wicked a man to be buried in their sacred grounds. A plain shaft of marble, bearing his name, age, and the date of his death, was erected over his lonely grave, and he was left to sleep even as he had lived—alone. For a week after these events the hotel where our friends sojourned was a scene of hilarity and joy, such as the wide old rooms had not witnessed in many a year; then the gay and happy company broke up, and all departed, to go their different ways. The lovely captives, all except Vivien and Enid, were placed under the care and protection of good old Father Francis, together with an abundance of means, to be conveyed to their several homes, where all arrived safely, as Vivien learned through loving letters received from her affectionate and grateful charges. Having satisfactorily accomplished the mission with which he was intrusted, the good father returned to his former duties in a distant convent. Dora claimed Vivien and Enid, declaring that they should accompany her on the remainder of her tour, which she was unwilling to give up, though madam would have preferred going straight home, after receiving such a fearful fright. Vivien consented to make one of their party, but Enid gravely shook her head and said “no; she must go to her own home and attend to her estates, which so long had lain without an owner. But,” she added, trying to smile, though her heart was sad and heavy, “I will return and get everything in order, and be prepared to receive you all when your travels are ended, six months hence, and we will have a joyful reunion before the final separation, and each return to his and her own fireside.” So it was agreed, and lovely Enid Chichester bade them all a tearful farewell, and departed with Nina and Mr. Ellerton, who had promised to see her safely within the halls of her ancestors, and then join his own party in Paris, whither they had decided to go. Poor Ralph was disconsolate enough at this arrangement, for he had come to love the “sparkling little English Gem,” as they called her, with the purest affection of his heart; but he had obtained a promise that she would write to him, and he tried to content himself with that poor consolation, resolving that when his six months’ probation—for he knew she meant it as such by the look she gave him when she bade him good-by—was over that he would tell his love, and win, if possible, the beautiful Enid for his wife.