Her loving words and the perfume that hung about the letter
of my betrothed brought Lily back to me in such sort that my heart ached
with a desire to be with her. Moreover I knew that I should be welcome
now, for my fortune was far greater than my brother's would ever be,
and parents do not show the door to suitors who bring more than twelve
thousand golden pieces in their baggage. Also I wished to see my father
again before he passed beyond my reach. But still between me and
my desire lay the shadow of de Garcia and my oath. I had brooded on
vengeance for so long that I felt even in the midst of this strong
temptation that I should have no pleasure in my life if I forsook my
quest. To be happy I must first kill de Garcia. Moreover I had come to
believe that did I so forsake it the curse which I had invoked would
surely fall upon me.
Meanwhile I did this. Going to a notary I caused him to prepare a deed
which I translated into English. By this deed I vested all my fortune
except two hundred pesos that I kept for my own use, in three persons to
hold the same on my behalf till I came to claim it. Those three persons
were my old master, Doctor Grimstone of Bungay, whom I knew for the
honestest of men, my sister Mary Wingfield, and my betrothed, Lily
Bozard. I directed them by this deed, which for greater validity I
signed upon the ship and caused to be witnessed by Captain Bell and
two other Englishmen, to deal with the property according to their
discretion, investing not less than half of it in the purchase of lands
and putting the rest out to interest, which interest with the rent of
the lands was to be paid to the said Lily Bozard for her own use for so
long as she remained unmarried.
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