, 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 existence, but on board
of the same vessel with me."

Such was the narrative of my brother Philip in return for mine, and it
was late at night when we parted. Oh! How sincerely did I pray that
night, thanking heaven for all its mercies, and entreating that the cup
might not be again dashed from my lips. When I arose next morning I
found that Philip was on deck, and I followed him.

"We shall soon be in Port Royal with this wind," said he, "and I hope to
find the admiral still there.