," said Philip, "perhaps it was all for the best, for that
poor girl loved you sincerely, and supposing that she was now still
alive and living with Miss Trevannion, and on your return your
marriage should (which of course, unless Heaven decrees otherwise, it
will) take place, that poor creature would have been very unhappy; and
although the idea of her being a rival to Miss Trevannion is something
which may appear absurd to us, yet she had the same feelings, and must
have endured the same pangs as any other woman, let her colour be what
it may. I think, therefore, that her removal was a blessing and a
happy dispensation. I saw Mr. Trevannion and his daughter but once
previous to their receiving your letters from Rio acquainting them
with your misfortunes and happy deliverance from slavery. They were
both very dejected, and Mr. Trevannion talked of retiring from
business, and living upon his property near Liverpool. As I
corresponded regularly with Amy, I learnt that he had done so, and had
just wound up his affairs when your letters arrived from Rio with an
order on the Portuguese Exchequer for a considerable sum. I hardly
need say that the joy occasioned by this intelligence was great. Amy
recovered her good looks, and her father bitterly lamented his having
retired from business, as he had wished to have made the whole over to
you. The money you remitted from Rio he considered as your own, and he
also set apart your share of the business from the time that you were
admitted as a partner. He was not aware that you could carry a diamond
of such immense value about your person, exposed to the view of every
one; among Indians, settlers, and pirates. That my delight was equal
to theirs you will, I am sure, give me credit to believe; and although
I was obliged to sail for the West Indies, every day I anticipated
receiving a letter informing me of your arrival in England. Judge then
my distress at first receiving letters stating that you had not been
heard of for three months after your leaving Rio, and expressions of
fear that some accident had happened, and then month after month many
more and more desponding letters, in which Mr. Trevannion plainly
stated that the xebeque must have foundered; and only Amy clinging to
the hope that you were still alive. I acknowledge that I considered
you dead, and you may therefore imagine my surprise and delight when
your signature on the slip of paper proved that you were not only in
ex