“No, my poor child; you won’t be worth selling in a land of freedom!” Franconia would answer, jocosely.  After charging Maxwell to be a father and a brother to the fugitive girl,—­to remember that a double duty was to be performed in his guardianship over the being who had just escaped from slavery, they retired below, and on the following morning found themselves safely landed at Wilmington, where, after remaining about six hours, Franconia bid Annette and Maxwell adieu! saw them on their way to New York, and returned to Charleston by the same steamer.

On reaching her home, she was overjoyed at finding a letter from her parents, who, as set forth, had many years resided on the west coast of Mexico, and had amassed a considerable fortune through a connection with some mining operations.  Lorenzo, on the first discovery of gold in California, having joined a marauding party who were traversing that country, was amongst the earliest who enriched themselves from its bountiful yield.  They gave up their wild pursuits, and with energy and prudence stored-up their diggings, and resolved to lead a new life.  With the result of one year’s digging, Lorenzo repaired to San Francisco, entered upon a lucrative business, increased his fortune, and soon became a leading man of the place.  The hope that at some day he would have means wherewith to return home, wipe away the stain which blotted his character, and relieve his parents from the troubles into which his follies had brought them, seemed like a guiding star ever before him.  And then there was his generous-hearted uncle in the hands of Graspum,—­that man who never lost an opportunity of enriching himself while distressing others.  And now, by one of those singularities of fortune which give persons long separated a key to each other’s wayfaring, Lorenzo had found out the residence of his parents on the west coast of Mexico.  Yes; he was with them, enjoying the comforts of their domicile, at the date of their letter.  How happy they would be to see their Franconia, to have her with them, and once more enjoy their social re-unions so pleasantly given on brother Marston’s plantation!  Numberless were the letters they had written her, but not an answer to one had been received.  This had been to them a source of great misgiving; and as a last resource they had sent this letter enclosed to a friend, through whose kindness it reached her.

The happy intelligence brought by this letter so overjoyed Franconia that she could with difficulty restrain her feelings.  Tears of gladness coursed down her cheeks, as she rested her head on Mrs. Rosebrook’s bosom, saying, “Oh, how happy I am!  Sweet is the forgiveness which awaits us,—­strong is the hope that through darkness carries us into brighter prospects of the future.”  Her parents were yet alive-happy and prosperous; her brother, again an honourable man, and regretting that error which cost him many a tear, was with them.  How inscrutable was the will of an all-wise Providence:  but how just!  To be ever sanguine, and hope for the best, is a passion none should be ashamed of, she thought.  Thus elated in spirits she could not resist the temptation of seeking them out, and enjoying the comforts of their parental roof.