anxious to
go down to Cumberland, if it were only to undo the wickedness which this
woman had done, and to make amends to those whom she had so cruelly
treated. I do not feel any spirit of revenge, but I feel that justice
demands it of me."

"And I shall go with you with pleasure, to help you in your good work,"
said Amy, "and also because I want to see how she will now behave to one
whom she has so persecuted, and who has become the arbiter of her fate."

"Well, Amy, I will not trust myself on this question. You shall be the
arbitress of her fate, and what you decide shall be irrevocable."

"I fully appreciate the compliment you pay me," said she, "but I prefer
that it should be decided in council, and we will call in my father to
our assistance."

A fortnight after our marriage, we set off for London, in a coach with
six handsome black horses, and eight armed servants in liveries on
horseback. We arrived safely on the seventh day, and there we reposed
for a time previous to setting out for Cumberland. My aunt was in
London and attending the court, which I was not aware of, and with her
were my two sisters, Janet and Mabel, whom I had not seen for years, and
who warmly embraced me, promising that they would soon come down and
take up their abode at the hall. They expressed their admiration of
Amy, but, in so doing, they only followed the general opinion, for it
was impossible to see and not admire her elegance and beauty. My aunt
showed us every attention, and we were presented to his Majesty, who was
pleased to compliment Lady Musgrave in very flattering terms. We were
joined in London by my brother Philip, who had paid off his ship, and
the day after he joined us I said:

"Philip, there are only you and I left. Do you recollect when you
inquired about the diamond, the day we met on board of your ship, what
reply I made to you?"

"Yes; you said that you were afraid that you could not afford to make me
a present of it."

"At that time I did not think so, Philip, but now I know that I can, and
I have desired Mr Trevannion to put out to good security the 38,000
pounds that the diamond was sold for, in your name, and for your use.
You'll not hesitate to accept it, Philip, for you know that I can afford
it."

"I do not hesitate, my dear Alexander, because I would do the same to
you, and you would not refuse me. At the same time, that is no reason
that I should not thank you kindly for your generous behav