CHAPTER XLII.
As soon as Lieutenant Thornton arrived in Plymouth with the Virginie and Vengeance, his first care, after the usual formalities had been gone through, was to get Commander O’Loughlin and Lieutenant Pole on shore, both being so far recovered as to bear moving; and the physician who was consulted on their reaching Plymouth, decided that they should be immediately removed into the country, declaring that a few weeks would completely restore them.
Captain O’Loughlin wrote immediately to his betrothed, Agatha, and made as light of his wounds as possible. He would not allow his friend to remain longer with him; he was able to move about with a crutch, and the surgeon assured him he would not have the least lameness in a month. Lieutenant Pole was also fast recovering.
Excessively anxious concerning Madame Coulancourt and his beloved Mabel, whom he still hoped had safely reached England, Lieutenant Thornton and his friend Julian Arden prepared to leave Plymouth for London, feeling assured that if the party he was so anxious about had reached England, he would surely hear of them there. But Julian Arden, before he left Plymouth, was destined to suffer a severe and stunning misfortune.
To his extreme alarm, he heard a rumour that agitated him greatly. Lieutenant-General Packenham was to have been Governor of Plymouth, but the alarming illness of his eldest daughter, brought on by exposure, it was said, to the pestiferous climate of Sierra Leone, had obliged him to decline the post, and to leave England for some months’ residence in Madeira. This was all he could learn in Plymouth, but it caused him great agony of mind. He feared his betrothed had imbibed the seeds of that fatal fever which raged at the time of their meeting; and became doubly anxious to reach London, where he hoped to hear intelligence from the General’s solicitor, whose address he had.
Need we paint the joy and rapture of the lovers when they met? Many of our fair readers, no doubt, have experienced the same—felt the like intensity only once in life. To those who have not, we can only say we trust it is before them. From joy to sorrow is but a step. Poor Julian Arden learned, with feelings impossible to describe, that General Pakenham’s daughter had died in Madeira, and that her distracted father was remaining there for his own health, to recover from the terrible shock at losing his beloved child.
Minute details, at this period of our story, would only tire the patience of our readers; neither will we inflict on them dull law matters. It will be quite sufficient to say that, after six months’ process in law courts, Julian’s and Mabel’s births and right were fully established, as well as the former’s right to the title and estate of Etherton, though Howard Arden—for to that name he was forced to return—threw every possible difficulty and obstruction in the way. Sir Julian Etherton generously offered to divide the property, which offer was scornfully refused. Mr. Arden, his spouse, and child, retired into Yorkshire, where they lived upon the interest of £10,000, recovered from the wreck of the firm of Brabazon, Brassington, and Blinkiron. Whether they lived happily or not we cannot say; our readers may judge by their knowledge of their characters.
Sir Julian Etherton continued the handsome fortune settled on the widow of the late baronet, who very graciously acknowledged and thankfully enjoyed the gift as long as she lived.
Lieutenant Thornton completely established his claims to the name, estates, and private property of the late Sir Oscar de Bracy. However, before this took place, he was made a commander. With the immense personal property of his lamented father, Sir Oscar purchased a fine estate, not many miles from Etherton Hall. Over his entire property Monsieur Jean Plessis was made agent, whilst Madame Coulancourt bestowed upon that gentleman a sum of £5,000, to be, if necessary, a marriage portion for his daughter Julia. Our hero and his attached friend, O’Loughlin, were united to their fair betrothed in the same place and at the same time.
Julian was sad and dispirited, but strove all in his power not to show his deep and heartfelt affliction at the loss of his tenderly-loved Cherry Packenham.
Some eight months after his marriage, to the intense grief of his beloved Mabel, our hero accepted the command of the captured Virginie, accounted one of the handsomest frigates in either the English or French service. Post-Captain O’Loughlin was also to take the command of a forty-four gun frigate, and both sailed for the Mediterranean to join the fleet under Rear-Admiral Nelson. They were present at the battle of the Nile, where the gallantry and skill with which Sir Oscar brought his ship into action, and the part he performed, elicited the admiration of all, and won the praise of the gallant Nelson himself.
Sir Julian Etherton so distinguished himself in his character of volunteer, that he was offered a commission, but he begged to remain as he was; his devoted attachment to Sir Oscar would not allow him to leave him. The year following, the renowned Virginie was at Acre, and there our hero once more embraced his friend, Sir Sidney Smith.
Peace being concluded, the Virginie returned to England, when Sir Oscar retired, to the heartfelt joy of his still fair and beautiful wife, from the service; and, shortly after, Captain O’Loughlin did the same. Time and active service had softened the grief of Sir Julian Etherton. Constantly in the society of the amiable and engaging Julia Plessis, the young baronet finally, from feeling and association, became tenderly attached to her, and ended by making the devoted and always attached Julia his wife—an act he never regretted.
Let not our readers imagine for a moment that the generous and simple-hearted coxswain, William Thornton, was forgotten by our hero, who would have loaded him with gifts, and built him a house on his own estate, but the old and happy coxswain loved his little cottage. The wish of his heart was gratified; his darling protégée was the pride of the service he loved, and every year, as long as his powers remained, he became an honoured guest at Sir Oscar’s.
Honest Bill Saunders accompanied Sir Oscar through all his perils as his favourite and attached coxswain, receiving many a sword from conquered ships, and proud he was on those occasions. Sir Oscar had purchased the famous lugger, the Vengeance; she was fitted out after the peace as a schooner-yacht, with Bill for skipper. For many years Bill was the admiration of all the jolly tars he encountered in his frequent rambles. To them he used to relate his adventures in France, and especially he recounted the scientific manner in which he performed the part of a deaf and dumb Frenchman, and, in giving illustrations, he uttered such a succession of guttural sounds as startled his hearers. At length, Bill married, and then his rambles were confined to his comfortable home on his master’s estate. The young De Bracys, in after years, dearly loved to visit Bill, his smiling wife, and his children; to listen to the wonderful yarns he spun of his master’s and his own adventures.
Many were the presents and marriage portions sent over to France to good Dame Moret and her daughters.
Now, gentle reader, our yarn is spun. If this unpretending story enables you to pass an hour free from the cares of the world, our object will have been accomplished.
THE END.
LONDON:
B. C. BARRETT, ROUPELL STREET, BLACKFRIARS.
WELL-TIMED SERIES
Of Select Illustrated Three-and-Sixpenny Volumes.
Suitable for Presents and School Prizes, and especially adapted for Young People.
Each Volume beautifully Illustrated, well Printed, efficiently Edited, and handsomely Bound in extra cloth, gilt sides, back, and edges.
1 The Wonders of the World. Uncle John.
2 Fifty Celebrated Men; Their Lives and Trials, and the Deeds that made them Famous.
3 Fifty Celebrated Women; Their Virtues and Failings, and the Lessons of their Lives.
4 The Life and Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. Daniel Defoe.
5 The History of Sandford and Merton. Thomas Day.
6 A Boy’s Life Aboard Ship, as it is Told by Himself. Full of Adventure and Daring Deeds.
7 Life in a Whaler; or, Perils and Adventures in the Tropical Seas. Sailor Charley.
8 Great Inventors; the Sources of their Usefulness, and the Results of their Efforts.
9 Household Stories. Collected by the Brothers Grimm. To which is added “The Caravan;” an Eastern Tale. William Hauff.
10 The Marvels of Nature; or, Outlines of Creation. Elisha Noyce.
11 Evenings at Home; or, The Juvenile Budget Opened. Dr. Aikin & Mrs. Barbauld.
12 The Boy’s Book of Industrial Information. Elisha Noyce.
13 Fern Leaves from Fanny’s Portfolio. First and Second Series, complete. Fanny Fern.
14 Pilgrim’s Progress (from this World to that which is to Come). John Bunyan.
15 Famous Boys, and How they became Famous Men. Author of “Clever Boys.”
16 The Triumphs of Perseverance and Enterprise. Thomas Cooper.
17 Boy’s Book of Travel and Adventure. Meredith Jones.
18 Edgar’s Crusades and Crusaders. J. G. Edgar.
19 Fanny Fern’s New Stories for Children. Author of “Fern Leaves.”
20 Cliffethorpe; or, The Progress of Character. Harriet Power.
21 Lessons at Home; or, Pleasure and Profit. A Tale for Boys and Girls.
22 The Long Holidays; or, Learning Without Lessons. H. A. Ford.
23 The Four Homes. Adapted from the French of Madame de Gasparin. Gothin Mann.
24 Roses and Thorns; or, Five Tales of the Start in Life.
25 The Book of Children’s Hymns and Rhymes. Collected by the Daughter of a Clergyman.
26 The Carterets; or, Country Pleasures. E. A. R.
27 The Story of Herbert Lovell. Rev. F. W. B. Bouverie.
28 Blanche Cleveland; or, The Sunshine of Youth. E. A. W.
29 The Piety of Daily Life. Jane C. Simpson.
London: Ward, Lock, & Tyler, Warwick House, Paternoster Row.
THE “HOME-READING” LIBRARY.
Of Sound, Healthy, and Improving Works, of a good moral tendency, well adapted for Prizes and Presents.
Each Volume clearly printed in fcap. 8vo, nicely Illustrated, and well bound in cloth extra, gilt edges, bevelled boards, price 2s. 6d.
1 Light on the Ocean. Author of “Nellie of Truro.”
2 Faithful unto Death. Rev. Richard Cobbold, A. M.
3 Mary Bunyan. Sallie R. Ford.
4 Who is My Neighbour? Prothesia S. Elton.
5 Modern Accomplishments. Catherine Sinclair.
6 History of Margaret Catchpole. Rev. Richard Cobbold.
7 The Bud and the Flower. Mrs. Saville Sheppard.
8 Principle Developed. S. Selby Coppard.
9 Faith Gartney’s Girlhood. Author of “The Gayworthys.”
10 The Gayworthys. Author of “Faith Gartney’s Girlhood.”
11 A Summer in Leslie Goldthwaite’s Life. Author of “The Gayworthys.”
12 Agnes Selby. Lady Lushington.
13 Happy Days at Fernbank. Emma Marshall.
14 The Story of Alice Cullis. Ellen Brown.
15 The Mother’s Fables in Verse. E. L. Aveline.
16 Home Sketches. Author of “Quiet Thoughts for Quiet Hours.”
17 The Knights of the Red Cross. R. F. Shields.
18 The Gates Ajar. Elizabeth Stuart Phelps.
ILLUSTRATED FIVE SHILLING VOLUMES.
Crown 8vo, cloth gilt.
Useful for School Prizes, Gift Books, &c., &c.
1 Brave Ballads.
2 Nursery Songs and Ballads.
3 Nursery Tales and Stories.
4 The Boy’s Handy Book of Games.
5 Half-Hours with the Bible.
6 Our Nursery Story Book.
7 Nursery Rhymes, Old and New.
8 New Comical Nursery Rhymes Coloured Plates.
9 Little Mary’s Nursery Story-Book.
10 Robinson Crusoe.
11 Musings about Men.
12 Harry’s Ladder to Learning.
13 Songs for the Little Ones at Home.
14 Boy’s Handy-Book of Natural History.
15 Household Amusements and Enjoyments.
16 Boy’s Sea Stories.
17 Unsentimental Journeys.
18 Aunt Fanny’s Pretty Picture-Book. Mounted, cloth.
19 Ditto, Nursery Tales. Mounted, cloth.
20 Pilgrim’s Progress.
21 Sandford and Merton.
22 Evenings at Home.
23 Ernest and Albert.
London: Ward, Lock, & Tyler, Warwick House, Paternoster Row.
THE SHILLING LIBRARY.
⁂The extremely Cheap, Interesting, and Amusing Volumes issued in this Series are all written by Authors of Popularity and High Standing.
1 Pic Nic Papers, Parts 1 to 4. 1s. each. Charles Dickens.
2 How to Invest Money with Safety and Profit.
3 Clever Criminals. John Lang.
4 Captain Macdonald. Ditto.
5 Forger’s Wife. Ditto.
6 Too Clever by Half. Ditto.
7 Secret Police. Ditto.
8 My Friend’s Wife. Ditto.
9 Too Much Alike. Ditto.
10 Story with a Vengeance. Shirley Brooks.
11 Yankee Humour. Jerdan.
12 Brilliant Marriage. E. Carlen.
13 Strange Adventures of Two Single Gentlemen. C. H. Ross.
14 The Great Mr. Gun. Ditto.
15 The Eldest Miss Simpson. Ditto.
16 The Young Lady’s Wedding Bonnet. C. H. Ross.
17 Love Letters of Eminent Persons. C. Martell.
18 Wild Tribes of London. Watts Phillips.
19 Artemus Ward: His Book.
20 Autocrat of the Breakfast Table. Wendell Holmes.
21 Major Jack Downing.
22 Biglow Papers.
23 Railway and Parlour Song Book.
24 The Three Scouts.
25 Cudjo’s Cave.
26 The Great Battle of Patchumup. Major Skunks, B. T., of the Volunteers.
27 The Confidential Adviser. Robert Greene, of the Middle Temple.
New Editions, and New Wrappers Printed in Colours.
BEETON’S COUNTRY BOOKS.
One Shilling Each.
⁂These Books contain ample instruction for all who keep Birds, Poultry, Pigeons, Rabbits, Squirrels, Bees, Silkworms, or Dogs and Cats, and for those who are Collectors of Birds’ Nests and Eggs.
1 Poultry and Pigeons. How to Rear and Manage Them. Coloured Plates.
2 British Song and Talking Birds. How to Rear and Manage Them. Coloured Plates.
3 British Song Birds. How to Rear and Manage Them. Coloured Plates.
4 The Parrot Book. How to Rear and Manage Them. Coloured Plates.
5 Birds’ Nests and Eggs, and Bird-Stuffing. Coloured Plates.
6 Rabbits and Squirrels. How to Rear and Manage Them. Coloured Plate.
7 Bees, Silkworms, and the Aquarium. How to Rear and Manage Them. Coloured Plate.
8 Dogs and Cats. How to Rear and Manage Them. Coloured Plate.
London: Ward, Lock, & Tyler, Warwick House, Paternoster Row.
THE
LIBRARY OF POPULAR AUTHORS.
PRICE TWO SHILLINGS PER VOLUME.
Under this title, Messrs. WARD, LOCK, and TYLER will issue from time to time Popular Works of Fiction by well-known Authors. Each Volume is clearly printed on good paper, and strongly bound in boards, with linen back.
Mildred’s Wedding.
Three Scouts and Cudjo’s Cave.
Adventures of Mr. Wilderspin.
Handy Andy.
The Morals of Mayfair.
The Sailor Hero. Armstrong.
The Cruise of the Daring. Ditto.
Margaret Catchpole. R. Cobbold.
John Steggall. Ditto.
Stuart of Dunleath.
Wild Oats. Sir Lascelles Wraxall.
The Jilt.
The French Detective. “Waters.”
Love and Jealousy. Mrs. Trollope.
The Attractive Man. Ditto.
Marian. Mrs. C. Hall.
The Opera Singer’s Wife. Grey.
Emilia Wyndham. Mrs. Marsh.
Life of a Beauty.
He Would be a Gentleman.
Father Darcy. Mrs. Marsh.
Marrying Man. Author of “Jilt.”
My Pretty Cousin. Ditto.
Lady Evelyn. Mrs. Marsh.
Mary Rock. Percy B. St. John.
Peep o’ Day. Banim (O’Hara).
Mordaunt Hall. Mrs. Marsh.
Confessions of a Pretty Woman.
Young Husband. Mrs. Grey.
Amy Moss. Percy B. St. John.
Poe’s Tales of Mystery, &c.
Time the Avenger. Mrs. Marsh.
Leah, the Jewish Maiden.
Nick of the Woods. R. Bird.
Disgrace to the Family. Jerrold.
Twelve Months of Matrimony.
Gambler’s Wife. Mrs. Grey.
Bride Elect. Author of “The Jilt.”
Breach of Promise. Ditto.
History of a Flirt. Ditto.
Pic Nic Papers. Charles Dickens.
Pirates of the Foam. Armstrong.
The Sunny South. Ditto.
Perils by Sea and Land. Ditto.
The Queen of the Seas. Ditto.
Poe’s Poetical Works.
Guilty or Not Guilty.
Friend Eli’s Daughter, &c.
Harry Hamilton.
Long Look Ahead.
Miranda. Percy B. St. John.
The Wilmingtons. Mrs. Marsh.
Old Dower House. Mrs. Grey.
Parsons and Widows.
A Country Ghost Story.
Mountain Marriage. Mayne Reid.
Money and Misery.
Paid in Full.
Eccentric Personages.
SOLD BY ALL BOOKSELLERS.