command of an English ship. He had made two or three short
voyages, and had, some time before, come out on an exploring expedition
to South America, from which he was returning. He was sailing
northward, on his way to England, when he observed Jacques Baville's
signal.
As may be supposed, Nigel and Constance, with honest Jacques, did not
lose the opportunity of returning with him. They parted from Cora with
sincere regret.
"It is but natural that you should wish to dwell in your own country,
and among your own people," said the Indian girl. "My love makes me
wish to accompany you, but my duty compels me to remain with my tribe.
On our hearts your images will remain engraved as long as they beat with
life."
She, with all her people, attended them to the beach, as they put off
towards the ship, which lay at anchor in the harbour. As long as any
object was visible on the shore, Cora was seen waving her adieus. The
sails were spread to the wind, and the ship glided out into the ocean on
her destined course towards the shores of England.
They reached that land of freedom in safety, and Nigel resolved to take
up his residence here, with his young wife, rather than expose her to
the dangers to which she would be subjected in her native land. He
wrote to honest Maitre Leroux, who had heard from the count of
Constance's marriage, and was ready to pay over to Nigel the rents of
the estate.
During the occasional intervals of peace, Nigel paid several visits to
Tourville, and, on the death of the steward, sold the estate, and
invested the money in an English property, both he and his wife agreeing
that it was far better to live on moderate means in a land where they
could enjoy the blessings of civil and religious liberty, than in any
country under the galling yoke of Papal tyranny.
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Villegagnon, by W.H.G. Kingston
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