University of Virginia Library

SEQUEL;

The scene of our story now re-opens
in `merrie England,' the land which is
the fountain of all our romance, the
source of all our ideas of the past, our
mother indeed, whom we still love, though
separated and independent of her. What
American heart throbs not with pride and
pleasure at the name of England? What
Amertcan loves not to talk of his old
English ancestors, whether noble or simple,
tenants of the palace or the cot?—
What American loves not England next
to his own native land? She is dear to
us for a thousand associations. Her language
is our language. Her poets are
ours. So are the painters and historirians.
Scott belongs as much to us as to
her, and to the lyre of Moore our hearts
respond as if he were an American. We
love England, her palaces and castles,
and parks; her nobles and knights, and
country gentlemen; her great men by
sea and land—her Wellington and her
Nelson are ours as well.

Let us go to England then from where
we and our fathers have all come, and
follow over the sea our hero and heroine
and witness the issue of their various and
adventurous fortunes.

The return voyage of the beautiful
vessel `The Sea-Shell,' was as prosperous
as her outward passage. Fair winds
and smooth seas seemed to combine to
waft in safety and with celerity the over-happy
voyagers to their destination.

On the nineteenth day after leaving the
harbor and lights of the Portsmouth head
and before night, was safely anchored in
port. At the sight, once more, of the
shores of her nativity, the heart of Flora
bounded with the most joyful emotions,
in which her husband sympathized. The
Sea-Shell had no sooner come to anchor
than a boat from a revenue schooner,
and another from a frigate on the starboard
quarter, boarded her almost simultaneously.
Bonfield quickly showed his
papers of protection signed by Lord Percival,
and endorsed at the Admiralty office,
when he was left alone. He immediately
landed with his party, leaving the
old man on board with his son, who had
charge of the vessel until he should return.
A post-chaise took them at once
to London, where they arrived at ten the
next morning. Bonfield drove directly
to a hotel, and then wrote a note as follows
to Lord Percival:

The Earl was with the King when this
note was sent into him by his page. He
had no sooner opened it than he gave utterance
to an exclamation of joy, and
cried with enthusiasm,

`Your Majesty, Bonfield has found her,
and is at the S— hotel.'

`Is it possible. This is new indeed,'
exclaimed the King with surprise and
deep emotion. Go to him at once, my
lord, I pray you, and bring them hither
In the meanwhile I will go and communicate
the information to my mother, who
has already heard from me all the previous
circumstances. If you see the Duke

do not at once tell him. I would like to
have him here, and see her. If she resembles
me, his grace will detect it; and
thus be convinced.'

`It is a good idea, your majesty,' answered
lord Percival as he hurried much
excited from the presence.

Without delay or hesitation he sprang
into one of the royal carriages in waiting
and drove to the hotel. He had no need
to inquire for those he sought, as Bonfield
met him at the carriage-window.

`You have done well, Captain,' he
cried. `Have you been to America?'

`Yes, my lord, and not quite six weeks
absent.'

`And have you brought her with you?'

`Yes. You shall see her.'

The earl alighted and followed him to
the drawing-room. Instantly upon seeing
Flora he started back with an exclamation
of astonishment.

`It is both the king and the Dutchess
of —!'

`This, Flora, is the earl of Percival,'
said the captain. `He is a friend of your
brother.'

`You need not introduce me, captain.
I should know her from the resemblance
anywhere's!'

As he spoke he bowed with great respect
and taking her hand said,

`Permit me to conduct you to your
brother, lady!' As he said this he looked
inquisitively at Edgar.

`This is my husband, my lord!' she
said with sweet dignity and the slight
blush that became a bride.

`Are you then married?' exclaimed
the earl, and looking at Bonfield with an
air of diappointment.

`It couldn't be helped, my lord. They
had settled the whole matter before I got
there. She wouldn't come without her
lover and so I had them married the day
we sailed. But your lordship can see
for yourself that they are well-mated!'

The king was in his cabinet. Near
him sat the queen-mother, with a look
earnest and pale. The Duke, who knew
not what was expected, was reading the
morning Times quite unconcerned. Suddenly
the earl entered, leading in the
surprised, bewildered Flora, alone. Instantly
upon beholding her the king exclaimed,
`It is the face of my aunt the
Dutchess! It must be my sister.'

The duke looked up and seeing her
gazed for an instant in amazement. He
looked from her to the earl, caught a
glimpse of Bonfield through the half open
door, and cried,

`If this be the maiden, she is the king's
sister. Never was such a likeness!'

The king hastened towards her and
folded her to his heart.

`My sister—my long-lost, dear sister!'

The Queen-mother embraced her child
with deep-hearted language of recogninition.
The duke knelt and kissed her
hand. Edgar, Bonfield, and Mary witnessed
this scene with surprise. The earl
led them into the Cabinet, and in a few
minutes Flora and all were made to understand
that the long lost and found was
a King's sister—a royal princess.

Who shall describe the amazed wonder
and joy of Bonfield? The deep gratitude
of Mary? The hopes and fears
of the young bridegroom?

The whole story of her life was now
told to the whole party by the earl. Flora
was offered the crown by the King; but
refused it, disclaiming it altogether. The
young husband was offered an earldom
and estates in keeping with his rank, but
he begged leave to decline them. Both
he and Flora preferred the retirement of
private life. The King settled upon his
sister one hundred thousand pounds, and
she in a few weeks returned to the
United Statss with her republican husband.
The secret, at Flora's request,

was hept by the King and all present. It
was only divulged at Bonfield's death,
who had written the whole story and left
it among his papers. He was enriched
by the King, and died at Boston under
the name of Captain Sart. Mary returned
to America with Flora, and still shines
like a pleasant spirit-star upon her domestic
hearth.

The royal bride and bridegroom returned
to the United States under the
name of Mr. and Mrs. Channing simply,
and put up in the Exchange, in that day
the fashionable and best hotel in the city
of Boston.

The old merchant soon learned that
his son and wife had got back again after
four months' absence, and he stoutly resolved
that he would not receive him into
his house, if he came out to pay him a
visit. Master Frederick met him the day
after his arrival and gave him a decided
cut. Margaret sat down and addressed
to her brother the following note:—

This letter caused both Edgar and his
wife to smile sadly; but, as the reader
may well suppose, it gave them no uneasiness.
They were, fortunately, above
the need of his father's estate.

It was not many days before it leaked
out that Edgar Channing was a noble of
high rank, and his fair wife allied closely
to the royal family of England. This
rumor was at length fully authenticated,
and attentions from the `first people'
poured in upon them. Parties were given,
and although Edgar and Flora would
gladly have kept retired from the gay
whirl of society, they were compelled for
a few days to give themselves up to it.

`What! an English nobleman? Is it
possible?' exclaimed the old merchant
when, pale and eager with the news,
Frederick bore it to his ears and those of
Margaret.

Their chastisement was severe for all
they had done, for not an invitation reached
Hawthorn Lodge from any of the palatial
mansions wherein Edgar and his
bride were entertained.

At length our hero and heroine, wearied
with the attentions they received, and
sighing for retirement, removed to a beautiful
suborban villa, where they passed
their days in elegant seclusion.

Edgar with that native generosity of
character which always distinguished his
conduct, understanding fully his sister's
motives in writing her note to him and
pitying her chagrin, called and was reconciled
to her and to his father. Frederick
was exiled from the house, and
ordered to seek a livelihood, and so following
the natural bent of his character,
he took to the high-way to replenish a
purse filled by his uncle, and emptied in
riotous living.

Edgar and Flora are still living at their
country-house, and are something in the
decline of life. They are surrounded by
a family of noble sons and fair daughters,
who little suspect that they are the grand
children of a King!