Soon after this George and Bella received an invitation from their uncle in London to visit him, as he intended to sail for Australia, with the idea of establishing a branch house of business there, where he intended to remain.
Thinking this might revive his sister's spirits, George accepted the invitation, and both set out on their journey.
On their arrival, an occurrence took place which promised future happiness to Mary Grant, and which gave great satisfaction to others. This was that the housemaid, whom Brown had sent out of the way at the time of Donald's trial, was now in the service of Mr. McKay. On her and Mary becoming acquainted, the latter, among the confidential gossip, related her misfortune in losing her lover through the villany of Brown and his accomplices, and how the valet persecuted her with his addresses afterwards.
The girl was ignorant of Donald's conviction through the evidence of the pistol, and now understood Brown's motives for getting Donald out of the way, and told Mary the whole truth. Another circumstance which established this statement, as well as Donald's innocence, was the conviction of Williams for highway robbery, and who had confessed his complicity with Brown in giving false evidence against Donald; the reason of Williams's confession being, that he always extorted money from Brown for keeping the secret, but the valet getting tired of these incessant demands upon his purse, had left Williams to his fate, without engaging counsel for him at his trial as he had promised, being glad to get the troublesome highwayman out of the way. He was, however, forced to abscond, on hearing of Williams's confession, in order to evade punishment.
The reader may well imagine Mary Grant's joy on getting possession of Donald's free pardon; and, as she was determined to be the bearer of it, she begged Bella to allow her to embark with Mr. McKay.
Bella, although the bereavement would be great, would not allow herself to stand in the way of her maid's happiness, and immediately gave her consent.
Mr. McKay took his departure, after an affecting
