Charley Laurel Part 24

In vain I attempted to plead my cause. I entreated to see Sophie, but her father replied that that would only be painful and useless; and at length the elder Monsieur de Villereine observing that his carriage was ready, I took the hint, and, feeling as if I was walking in a dream, I got into it. I felt dreadfully cast down. It seemed to me that Sophie was lost to me for ever, and I might not again have an opportunity of seeing her.

"I have some few commissions to perform in the town," said my friend, "and we will drive there. But notwithstanding what has occurred, I must insist on your coming back with me to see Henri: he and his sister will afford you all the consolation they can. But my brother is very determined, and I know him so well that I cannot tell you to keep up your hopes. It would be wiser for you to abandon them altogether."

We reached the town, and when we got there I was much inclined to go on board the s.h.i.+p and remain: but Monsieur de Villereine pressed me so earnestly to return, that, for the sake of Henri, I agreed to do so.

As, however, I wished to go on board for a short time, he undertook to wait for me. Taking a boat from the sh.o.r.e, I pulled out to the _Ellen_.

I had not been long on board before d.i.c.k asked me to step into the cabin, as he had something of interest to communicate to me.

"Well, Captain Laurel," he said, as soon as we were seated, "I went on sh.o.r.e yesterday evening and walked up the town, and I am as sure as I am alive that this is the very place where you came from. As I walked up the street, I came to the very spot where the black woman handed you to me when you were a little chap scarcely higher than my knee--I could swear to it in any court of justice, if it were necessary--and, as I think I have told you, I have always carried about me the very coral you had on at the time; and now I would advise you to lose no time in making inquiries about the matter among your friends."

So wretched did I feel, that I was very little disposed to do this, and had I not promised to rejoin Monsieur de Villereine, I think that I should have remained on board, to get ready for sailing as fast as possible. I however told d.i.c.k that I would do as he recommended.

I found Monsieur de Villereine waiting on the quay for me. As soon as we had got clear of the town, I began to speak to him on the subject.

As I went on, I was surprised at the extraordinary agitation he exhibited.

"Do I understand from you, my dear sir, that you yourself were carried away from this island when about four years of age?" he asked, pulling up his horse, as if he felt unable to guide the animal, and gazing at me earnestly.

"One of my mates, who has acted the part of a father to me, has a.s.sured me so," I answered, "though I myself have a very indistinct recollection even of events which occurred much after that."

"The ways of heaven are indeed mysterious," exclaimed Monsieur de Villereine. "At the time you mention, my second son, two years younger than Henri, while in charge of a black nurse, was lost to us. The poor woman was wounded by a chance shot during an attack from an English squadron, and she died shortly afterwards without being able to give any account of what had become of the child, though we had hopes that he had been carried on board one of the men-of-war. As, however, two of them were afterwards lost, we abandoned all expectation of ever again seeing our son. I must not raise your hopes too high, nor my own, and yet when I look at your features, and think of what my son might have been, I cannot but believe that you are indeed my lost boy. His name, too, was Charles, which may be a remarkable coincidence. You tell me that that name was given you on board the s.h.i.+p."

As may be supposed, my heart beat violently as Monsieur de Villereine said this; yet I could not help trusting that he was indeed my father.

That he might himself make inquiries of d.i.c.k, I offered to send on board at once for my mate. We accordingly drove back into the town. d.i.c.k soon arrived at the hotel, where we remained for him. Monsieur de Villereine cross-questioned him narrowly, and on his producing the coral I spoke of, any doubts he might have entertained vanished.

"My dear boy," he exclaimed, embracing me, "you are indeed my long-lost son. Your recovery will, I trust, be the means of preserving your poor mother's life, for she has, I fear, a great grief in store for her; for, although she hoped for the best, I cannot but see that your poor brother Henri's days are numbered."

I need not repeat what more my father said. Taking d.i.c.k in the carriage, we drove rapidly home. My father hurried in first to prepare my mother, and in a few minutes I had the happiness of being clasped in her arms, and receiving the affectionate kisses of my sister Emilie and the warm congratulations of poor Henri.

"I always loved you as a brother," he exclaimed; "and now I am indeed delighted to find that you are so in reality."

I was scarcely aware how quickly the time had gone by, when carriage wheels were heard approaching the house.

"I sent off a note to your uncle and aunt," said Emilie to me, "as I was sure they would be glad to hear the news, and here they are."

They entered the room directly afterwards, followed by Sophie. The formal manner my uncle had a.s.sumed had vanished. After he and my aunt had cordially welcomed me, the whole party disappeared from the room with the exception of Sophie.

"Papa has withdrawn his objection," she whispered; "and I told him I would never marry any one but you."

I must bring my yarn to a conclusion.

My first mate was so trustworthy a man, that I felt justified in sending the _Ellen_ back to Barbadoes under his charge to receive her cargo.

Poor Henri entreated that I would not delay my marriage, and Sophie having no objections, in the course of a few weeks we were united. My brother's death, which all expected, took place, to our great grief, a short time afterwards.

I was thankful to find that the consignees of the _Ellen_ consented to allow my mate to take her home. On her next voyage my parents and sister, as well as my uncle and aunt, agreed to accompany me to England, leaving my brothers-in-law in charge of their two estates.

We had a prosperous pa.s.sage, and having been invited by Mr and Mrs Dear to pay them a visit, we on our arrival repaired to their house, where Captain and Mrs Falconer had come to receive us; and I had the happiness of introducing my old friend, and now my cousin Kitty, to her aunt and to the rest of her relations.

THE END.