"Ready to thank you for all you have done for us, the weary years we have been away. For your kind thoughts, your indefatigable exertions, we are here to thank you, and prove our gratitude by acts as well as thanks." "Thank God, Thank God," he said. "This hour repays me for all my care."
And now what happiness, nothing to mar it, but a few gales of wind, which only blew us nearer to the homes our hearts longed for. Madame was nearly well, Smart only limped a little, and was in high spirits at hearing that not only was Mrs. Smart alive and well, but that Jem had become a young gamekeeper, and they had wanted for nothing during his absence.
"So you were right Master Felix, about the washing, she has done well at that," said Smart, "and a mighty good washer she be, sending me out with shirts as white as any Lord's."
We sailed in company, and it was hard to say which ship contained the merriest party, La Luna or the Esperanza.
We touched at St. Helena, and there picked up another brother to our great delight and pleasure.
The ships were gazetted there as the Esperanza and her consort, that the news of it getting to England before we did might prepare the beloved family in some degree for what was in store.
THE LAST CHAPTER.
Once more we will return to that pretty drawing-room, and visit the kind sisters, the grey-headed father, the loving mother.