danger, that he was only
returning home to die.

I had asked Sophie whether she had mentioned our engagement to her
father and mother.

"I will do so immediately we get home," she answered; "it would be
better than saying anything at present."

Monsieur de Villereine's house stood on elevated ground, with extensive
sugar plantations below it. It was of a considerable size, surrounded
by a broad verandah. The handsome appearance of the interior, and the
numerous domestic slaves, gave me an idea of the wealth of the owners.
I could not help asking myself, "Will Sophie be content to exchange all
this luxury for the limited income and small house which I should alone
have the power of offering her?" I had but one moment to speak to her
alone. She seemed to divine my thoughts.

"I do not value all these things," she said, pressing my hand; "and I
trust that my brothers will live to occupy this house."

She had already told me of her two brothers, who were away on the other
side of the island.

After resting some time, we continued our journey to the house of
Henri's father and mother. A messenger had been sent on to warn them of
our coming.

I was much pleased with the elder Monsieur de Villereine and his wife.
They received me in the most kind and cordial way, but I saw how deeply
they were grieved at the altered appearance of poor Henri, and that they
were evidently far more alarmed than Emilie had been, who had constantly
watched him. Their house was even handsomer than that of Sophie's
father, though built in the same style. It commanded a beautiful view
of the town and harbour and the blue sea beyond it, while on every side
below stretched out the numerous sugar plantations; while here and there
were seen the whitewashed houses of the inhabitants, with their
gaily-painted verandahs and window blinds.

Though her manner was gentle and kind in the extreme, Madame de
Villereine's countenance wore an expression of sadness which seemed
habitual to it. I concluded, however, that this arose very much from
her anxiety about the health of her only son. Emilie tried to cheer up
her parents by assuring them that Henri was better than he had been, and
she hoped that before long they should be able to carry out their
project of visiting England.

"Though not our native air, it is yours, you know, mamma, and I am sure
it will effectually restore his health."

Madame de Villereine shook her head.

"I had thoug