164. THE SHIPWRECK,

D’Ermincourt, on the arrival of the Achilles at Rio, had
written to France to announce their melancholy fate.
Since then no opportunity had occurred of contradicting
‘the false tidings; and of consequence the two islanders
carried to France in person the earliest refutation of the
captain’s communication.

Arrived at their native village, Philip was left at his pa-
ternal cottage, while the count drove on to the chateau.
They found their respective families plunged in the depths
of sorrow, which their unexpected arrival instantly changed
into joy unspeakable.

The marquis had been made acquainted with most of
the circumstances under which the two young men had
learned to hate each other so relentlessly, and was. ever
reproaching himself with his instrumentality in robbing
Merville’s parent of his only son, in order to send him to a
watery grave. The return of Philip relieved his mind from
the burthen of remorse, and the natural goodness of his
heart prepared him to welcome him as another son, more
especially as his own stood indebted to Philip for the life he
was now enjoying.

At early dawn Charles was at the gate of Philip’s hum-
ble abode; he came to conduct him to the marquis, by