Mrs Courtney did not know what to answer, but Jessica was ready with the information.
‘No, Missy Quita, he not dead. Governor’s Sambo tell me all de news just now. De guard go after him, and take him prisoner, and shut him up in Fort cell, where he can’t come out. And so my missy quite safe, and can go to sleep comfortable.’
‘There, my darling, you hear what old Jessica says,’ interposed Mrs Courtney soothingly. ‘They have got him in prison. It was like his insolence to speak to you as he did; but you have given him so much encouragement, that the creature is beside himself. But he has overleapt the mark this time, and will never trouble you again.’
‘Will they—kill him?’ said Quita, with a shiver.
‘I hope so, I’m sure. It would be the best thing for all of us, and drive this romantic nonsense out of your head, Maraquita. Why, what is this, my dear? You are surely not weeping for the fate of this murderer, who has instigated his fellows to kill half your friends, and would have killed you, and your husband, and your parents, if he had had the opportunity? I shall begin to think you have very little love for your father or myself, if you can prefer his life to ours.’
‘Oh, no, mamma, it isn’t that! I am very thankful to think you are all safe. Only—only—Henri, who used to love me so—to die! Oh, it must not be! It is too shocking!’
‘If a man sets all the laws of his country at naught, he must pay the penalty of his wrong-doing,’ said Mrs Courtney sententiously.
‘Yes; but there is some excuse for him, mamma. Think of his grief for my loss, his jealousy, his revenge. It was I who drove him to it. I should have been true to him at all hazards, and then this terrible business would never have happened. Oh, mamma, he must not die, or his spirit will haunt me all my days,’ said Quita, trembling, with closed eyes.
‘Maraquita, you are exaggerating the blame that is due to you in this matter. In the first place, we don’t know that the mutiny was organised on your account at all. The negroes are disaffected, I am sorry to say, all over San Diego. And if it were, it is an outrage which should call forth nothing but resentment on your part. You have been foolishly weak in former times with regard to this man; but he must have been insane if he ever believed you would marry him. You followed your parents’ wishes in accepting Sir Russell Johnstone, and have nothing to reproach yourself with in regard to it. Now, leave the rest of the matter to him, and don’t worry your head about it. You may depend upon it, the Governor will do what is just and right, and such a dreadful affair will never be allowed to happen again.’
‘But Henri—what will they do to Henri?’ moaned Maraquita.