Mrs. Camelford was so much affected that it was some time before she could speak, and then embracing Cornelia most tenderly, she said, "You are a dear good girl, and from this instance of obedience and self-denial, at so early an age, I anticipate the most happy results when you are older. If the pleasure of knowing how much gratification your conduct has afforded your mother, and how much more than ever she loves you, can compensate for your disappointment, you may now enjoy that reward." Cornelia threw herself into her mother's arms, and kissing her affectionately, wept in silence while Octavia sobbed aloud, tears dropped on the cheeks of Adrian, and Junius drew his hand across his eyes.
"Oh!" said Octavia, "how little did we think, when we were all enjoying the sight from the gun-boat, with ample room and an uninterrupted view, that our poor sister, after being three months shut up in her chamber, was seeing nothing at all."
Adrian.—Yes, and when we were riding home, I wished that Cornelia were with us, that she might tell us what she thought of it; supposing, of course, that she had seen all that we did.
Junius.—Well, dear Cornelia, be comforted. There is no danger of your having taken cold, since you so scrupulously kept your promise and obeyed your mother; and, as you will now, no doubt, continue well, I hope you will yet be able to see the frigate before she sails on her first cruise, though you have missed the launch, which was certainly one of the finest sights ever seen in the whole world. Do not smile, Octavia. You are not, as I am, one of the "Tars of Columbia."
Adrian.—No, indeed. And if she was a sailor, I hope she would feel like one upon such occasions.
Cornelia continued every day to improve in health, and when the frigate was completely fitted up and ready for sea, Lieutenant Osbrook came to invite the Camelford family on board, and Mrs. Camelford herself was prevailed upon to be one of the party. Junius, taking Cornelia's hand, led her carefully through the vessel, explaining to her its different parts and their uses, and replying, kindly and satisfactorily, to all the various questions which she would not have ventured to ask, except of her brother.
E. L.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Grimshaw's History, p. 213.