Ellen went then as fast as she could go, to Mrs Henry's. She found Antonio in the garden.
"Antonio," said she, "my uncle Randon says that he will take Rodolphus and let him live there with him, on the farm, if we can only get him out of prison."
"But we can't get him out of prison," said Antonio. "It is too late now, he has been condemned and sentenced."
"But the governor can pardon him," said Ellen.
"Can he?" said Antonio.
"Yes," said Ellen.
"Can he?" repeated Antonio. "Then I'll go and see if he will."
Two days after this Antonio was on his way to the town where the governor lived. He met with various adventures on his way, and he felt great solicitude and doubt about the result of the journey. At last he arrived at the place.
He was directed to a large and handsome house, which stood in the centre of the principal street of the village, enveloped in trees and shrubbery. There was a beautiful yard, with a great gate leading to it, on one side of the house.
Antonio looked up this yard and saw an elderly gentleman there, just getting into a chaise. A person who seemed to be his hired man was holding the horse. The gentlemen stopped, with his foot upon the step of the chaise, when he saw Antonio coming, and looked toward him.