After their separation the young pair corresponded as frequently as possible under the circumstances.
Their letters were not love letters, in the usual acceptation of that term. They were frank, outspoken, affectionate letters, such as might have passed between a brother and sister who loved one another faithfully, and knew no fonder ties; letters which Odalite read with delight to father and mother, governess and sisters.
All went on in this way for the first two years.
The third year was an eventful one in the destiny of the young pair.
Early in the spring of that year occurred the death of Miss Laura Notley, a very aged lady, great-aunt of young Leonidas Force, to whom by will she left her large plantation, known as Greenbushes, appointing Mr. Abel Force trustee of the estate during the minority of the heir.
This rich inheritance constituted the young midshipman a much more eligible _parti_ for the youthful heiress of Mondreer than he had previously been considered.
Even Mrs. Force acknowledged that she was satisfied as she had never quite been before this.
The two plantations of Mondreer and Greenbushes joined, both fronting on the bay, and together would form perhaps the richest estate in the commonwealth.
And now, when Leonidas should return from his voyage, he might resign from the navy, and, as he would by that time have reached his majority, he might marry Odalite, after which the young couple might take up their residence at Greenbushes and live there during the lifetime of their parents.
This would certainly be a most delightful arrangement for all parties.
Letters were promptly written to Leonidas, both by his guardian and by his sweetheart, informing him of his good fortune and congratulating him on his happy prospects.
"I am so wild with delight that I am dancing when I am not writing, and the reason why is this--that now you need never go to sea again, and we shall never, never, never part more this side of heaven!
"You will give up your profession, but you need not be idle. You must not be, father says. You must look after the plantation, which has been neglected during the dear old lady's life; you must reclaim the worn-out soil; farm the land on scientific principles, with the aid of chemistry and machinery and things, and improve the stock by importing new what's-er-names. Oh, you will have plenty to do to keep you from moldering away alive, if you look after your estate as father does after his.