In Search of the Castaways Book One Chapter IV - Lady Glenarvan's Proposal

**Jules Verne** (0:19)
CHAPTER IV.
LADY GLENARVAN'S PROPOSAL Lady Helena thought it best to say nothing to the children about the fears Lord Glenarvan had expressed in his letters respecting the decisions of the lords of the Admiralty with regard to the document. Nor did she mention the probable captivity of Captain Grant among the Indians of South America. Why sadden the poor children and damp their newly cherished hopes? It would not in the least alter the actual state of the case, so not a word was said, and after answering all Miss Grant's questions Lady Helena began to interrogate in her turn, asking her about her past life and her present circumstances. It was a touching, simple story she had heard in reply, and one which increased her sympathy for the young girl.
Mary and Robert were the captain's only children. Harry Grant lost his wife when Robert was born, and during his long voyages he left his little ones in charge of his cousin, a good old lady. Captain Grant was a fearless sailor. He not only thoroughly understood navigation, but commerce also, a twofold qualification eminently useful to skippers in the merchant service. He lived in Dundee, in Perthshire, Scotland. His father, a minister of St. Catrine's Church, had given him a thorough education, as he believed that could never hurt anybody.
Harry's voyages were prosperous from the first, and a few years after Robert was born he found himself possessed of a considerable fortune.
It was then that he proposed the grand scheme which made him popular in Scotland. Like Glenarvan and a few noble families in the Lowlands, he had no heart for the union with England. In his eyes the interests of his country were not identified with those of the Anglo-Saxons, and to give scope for personal development he resolved to found an immense Scotch colony on one of the ocean continents. Possibly he might have thought that some day they would achieve their independence, as the United States did, an example doubtless to be followed eventually by Australia and India. But whatever might be his secret motives, such was his dream of colonization. But as is easily understood, the government opposed his plans, and put difficulties enough in his way to have killed an ordinary man. But Harry would not be beaten. He appealed to the patriotism of his countrymen, placed his fortune at the service of the cause, built a ship and manned it with a picked crew, and, leaving his children to the care of his old cousin, set off to explore the great islands of the Pacific. This was in 1861, and for twelve months, or up to May 1862, letters were regularly received from him, but no tidings whatever had come since his departure from Calot in June, and the name of the Britannia never appeared in the shipping list.
Just at this juncture the old cousin died, and Harry Grant's two children were left alone in the world. Mary Grant was then only fourteen, but she resolved to face her situation bravely, and to devote herself entirely to her little brother, who was still a mere child. By dent of close economy, combined with tact and prudence, she managed to support and educate him, working day and night, denying herself everything that she might give him all he needed, watching over him and caring for him like a mother. The two children were living in this touching manor in Dundee, struggling patiently and courageously with their poverty. Mary thought only of her brother and indulged in dreams of a prosperous future for him. She had long given up all hope of the Britannia, and was fully persuaded that her father was dead. What then was her emotion when she accidentally saw the notice in The Times? She never hesitated for an instant as to the course she should adopt, but determined to go to Dumbartonshire immediately, and learn the best and worst. Even if she were to be told that her father's lifeless body had been found on a distant shore, or in the bottom of some abandoned ship, it would be a relief from incessant doubt and torturing suspense. She told her brother about the advertisement, and the two children started off together that same day for Perth, where they took the train and arrived in the evening at Malcolm Castle. Such was Mary Grant's sorrowful story, and she recounted it in so simple and unaffected a manner that it was evident that she never thought her conduct had been that of a heroin through those long, trying years. But Lady Helena thought it for her, and more than once she put her arms round both the children and could not restrain her tears.
As for Robert, he seemed to have heard these particulars for the first time. All the while his sister was speaking, he gazed at her with wide open eyes, only knowing how much she had done and suffered for him, and as she ended he flung herself on her neck, and exclaimed, Oh, Mama, my dear little Mama!