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Richard Carvel: Dolly

I awoke. Where was I? What room was this? Who was this coming to tend me? Who but Mammy Lucy, Dorothy's old nurse, to tell me that I was in London, in Mr. Manners's house? Where was Dolly? I was to see her soon, if the doctor permitted. She came! The little room was heaven, though I was stretched on a bed of pain. Mrs. Manners answered my questions. Jones had contrived to let Dolly know I was wounded and in hospital in Holland, and Comyn had brought me to England. I learned also that my uncle had been deprived of his estate for treachery and that Carvel Hall was mine. And now I was to be smuggled out of England again. This time Fox played smuggler, and soon Dolly to be my wife. But did I not love Patty? she asked me. I told her the truth. "Dear Richard," Dolly said, "I believe I have loved you all my life." We were married on the 15th of June, and Patty dressed the bride. Poor Patty. You have heard your mother speak of Aunt Patty, my dears.

Ere I had regained my health the war for Independence was won. "I pray God that time may soften the bitterness it caused, and heal the breach in that noble race whose motto is Freedom. That the Stars and Stripes and the Union Jack may one day float together to cleanse the world of tyranny!"