The dear Aunt.—"Then I am miserably disappointed. When I heard it I was in the greatest hope you would have some news to tell me, so I ordered Osman and the brougham, and came here so fast that I am quite in fear for the dear fellow. Cecy, pray let me ask you for a little bread to give him, and do come down and look at him, he is in such beauty that Robert is quite proud of him."
So they all went down to look at the beloved horse, and Robert the groom heard him praised to his heart's content.
The dear Aunt.—"Well, now then, sister, I will say farewell, but we will do what you so kindly wish us, and come to-morrow for the whole week; by this means we shall be on the spot to hear the earliest news if you get any, for I must own I cannot bear suspense, and my Florence being in the Esperanza doubles my anxieties."
The Mother.—"We shall be charmed to see you, dear sister, so, until then, farewell."
On the morrow, the kind aunt and uncle were not the only visitors. Little Winny's father and mother, uncle Parry, the "next heir," all came pouring in, as well as innumerable letters from kind and anxious friends; but still no news by the post.
They had all seen the report of the Esperanza, and all had flocked to B——, as head quarters, to learn what had brought her home so much sooner than was expected. However, they were invited to remain the week out at that ever open most hospitable mansion.
In the middle of the week came Gatty's beloved parents. Zoë's father and mother lived so near that they could have daily intercourse; so daily everybody met, daily everybody talked, and daily everybody agreed that it was all a mistake, and that this Esperanza was not their Esperanza.
The summer is coming on rapidly. It is the 2nd of June, the golden laburnums hang their rich pendant clusters over the fragrant lilacs, all nature seemed rejoicing, and every tree had its living chorus, for no noisy gun or treacherous snare was ever heard or seen in that pretty garden.
"I don't mean to stay in the house this lovely evening," said Gatty's father. "Come Emily, come Julie, let us sit out on the lawn, and smell the fresh wholesome scent of the earth, and hear this delightful evening hymn of the birds. But do you expect company? Here is a carriage, and surely another behind it. No! it stops. But do my eyes deceive me? Who is in this first carriage? The dear crew of the Esperanza! Welcome, welcome. Bertrand too. My dear girls how well you look. Ah, Sir Walter, welcome, welcome home."
They are clasped in the arms of everybody, and welcomed home, as those who go to B—— are generally welcomed. The new brother also, after six years' absence in New Zealand. Everybody seems overwhelmed with delight and pleasure. Whatever curiosity, whatever wonder, whatever fear might have run through the heart of each at seeing the beloved crew of the Esperanza so much sooner than was expected, all was now swallowed up in the joy of seeing them.