All Ralph's
old friends on the shore had been made happy with handsome presents.
After a short stay in London they went down, and Ralph took possession
of the Hall. He soon found there was abundance of occupation for his
time on the estate, and that this would be increased when, as would
doubtless be the case, he was placed on the Commission of Peace for
the county, as Herbert Penfold had been before him.
As soon as Ralph had completely recovered his health and strength he
told his mother that she must spare him for a week, as he had promised
that he would on the first opportunity go over to Dunkirk to see his
friend Jacques.
He crossed by the packet from Dover to Calais, and thence by coach to
Dunkirk. Here he inquired among the fishermen for Jacques, and found
that he had returned before Napoleon broke out from Elba, and that he
was owner of a fishing smack which was now at sea. The next day
Jacques returned, and his delight at meeting Ralph was unbounded. He
took him home to his neat cottage where his pretty young wife was
already installed. Ralph remained two days with him, and obtained a
promise from him that he would once a year sail over to Weymouth and
pay him a visit.
"I am a rich man, Jacques, now. At present I see you want nothing, but
should any accident befall your fishing boat, or you have need for
money for any other cause, write to me, and the money for a new boat
or for any other purpose shall be yours at once.
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