Mr. Campbell then asked me a few questions, to which I replied satisfactorily, and then for the first time he saluted me with my title, saying, “Sir Alexander, I will now take my leave.”
The next morning I set off on my journey, and travelled with as much speed as the horses would permit. I arrived on the fifth day at Mr. Trevannion’s seat, about nine miles from Liverpool. As I rode up the avenue of chestnut trees, I perceived a female form looking out from an upper window, which soon afterwards made a precipitate retreat. I alighted, and was received at the door in the embrace of Mr. Trevannion, who welcomed me with tears, and taking me by the hand he led me into an apartment where I found my adored Amy, who threw herself into my arms and wept as if her heart would break; but her sobs were the sobs of joy, and when she did raise her head and look at me, it was with eyes beaming with pleasure, and with smiles upon her beautiful lips. I clasped her to my bosom, and felt that I was more than repaid for all I had suffered, and my heart was throbbing with gratitude and love.
It was some time before we could sufficiently compose ourselves to enter into lengthened conversation, and then Amy inquired what had occurred to me to occasion such a lengthened absence. We sat down on a sofa, and with Amy on one side of me and her father on the other, I entered into my narrative.
“And so you have been married since we last heard from you?” said Amy, smiling, when I had finished my history.
“Yes,” replied I, “I have been; but I hope I shall treat my second wife a little better than I did my first.”
“I hope so too,” replied Amy; “but I have great fear that your Virginian mistress may come over and claim you.”
“I do not think that likely. From the Indians having followed me to the beach, they must have fallen in with her.”
“And what do you think became of her?”
“Of course I cannot exactly say; but I presume she died gallantly, and fought with her axe to the last.”
That evening I had a long conversation with Mr. Trevannion. He told me what he had done with the money, which he considered as mine, and I put into his care the sum I had received for the diamond. I then spoke to him about our marriage, and requested that it might not be postponed.