Hope Leslie, or Early Times in the Massachusetts

Earlier in the day, before the lecture, Hope receives a visitor at the door, an Indian woman selling moccasins who reveals herself to be Magawisca. She shows Hope a necklace from her sister and asks Hope to meet her that night in the cemetery at nine o’clock. Mrs. Grafton hears them talking and shouts for her to come in and show her the moccasins. Jennet feels that she knows Magawisca, but cannot be sure.

After the lecture, Hope meets Magawisca at the cemetery, where she is chanting and gesturing over a tombstone. She tells Hope that Nelema made it home to her and died shortly after. She says that Hope will see her sister, but that Faith is now married to Oneco. Hope is shocked that her sister has married an Indian, but Magawisca says she is happy and still a Christian. She then reveals that the tombstone is her mother’s, and that she will return in five days with Faith, as long as Hope tells no one that she has seen Magawisca. Hope asks if she can bring Everell, who still loves Magawisca and would be happy to see her, but the answer is no.

After Magawisca leaves, it begins to rain. On the way home, Sir Philip sees her and insists that she wear his cloak. He is flirtatious and says that he could love her, but she rebuffs his advances, annoying him greatly. When they reach Winthrop’s courtyard, the page Roslin—the boy who had followed Hope after the lecture—is waiting for Sir Philip in the storm. Hope leaves them and, as was discussed earlier, is interrogated about her actions.

After the disaster at the sacrificial rock, Mononotto had lost his reason for a time. He felt his revenge at Bethel had been unsatisfied. He begins to believe he has a greater purpose, and Magawisca supports him. He resolves to unite all of the tribes in New England into one great whole. The meeting of the two sisters is presented as something that will benefit him politically, and he sends Magawisca to make it happen, as she is less likely to attract attention than he is. 

After leaving Hope, Sir Philip and Roslin go to his apartment. Philip sits at a desk and writes a letter to a man named Wilton. He explains why he is in New England and what his underhanded aims are. He hints that he is in league with both a political enemy of the settlement and with a vagabond sailor named Chaddock. He has come to New England to make his fortune by any available means. The letter is gloating and self-serving, and shows that there is more to his relationship with Roslin than was apparent. 

Chapter 4 begins with a description of Esther’s glowing character before transitioning to Everell’s annoyed observations of Hope and Sir Philip. He watches them with the jealousy of a lover, mistaking her passive acceptance of Philip’s attentions as signs of favor. Everell withdraws spending more time with Esther, which makes Hope think he is unhappy with her. She struggles to keep the secret of her interview with Magawisca, and when the day finally arrives for their meeting, she has told no one.

As they all go out for a day on the water, they discuss how Everell delivered a bouquet of rose buds to Esther. Hope blushes and everyone notices. They awkwardly discuss it, and Hope does what she can to appear cheerful and playful. They board a boat together and sail to a small island that has a single residence that happens to belong to Digby. Everell, Esther, and Hope speak with him while the others wander the island. Digby reminisces about their childhood and says he wondered if Everell might have eventually married Magawisca. Then he hints that there is a wedding coming and all will be well. Hope jumps to her feet, takes Esther’s hand, and places it in Everell’s. She wishes them both well, which confuses them both, and then she leaves.

Elsewhere on the island, Sir Philip finds her. He tries to flirt with her and recites poetry. Everell passes by after Philip takes her hand and leaves immediately. Hope tells Philip that his efforts are wasted on her; she is not interested in him. Philip is furious. He was thrilled that Everell had been vanquished as a rival, but without Hope’s affection, his plans might fail. He sees Everell and Hope walking by in conversation.

Hope tells Everell she plans to stay on the island that night. Everell tells her that he must love her, but only as a brother. Further, he says that he does not want her with Sir Philip, of whom he has a low opinion. Everell decides to leave the island, rather than see her with Sir Philip, which sets off a storm of speculation from the others. 

Hope tells Digby that she will want some time to herself that evening. He says he will make an excuse for her if she goes for a walk in the moonlight and reassure everyone that all is well. Hope excuses herself and walks to an outcropping of rock overlooking a cove. A canoe appears with her sister Faith—although Hope still thinks of her as Mary—in it. She is leaning on Oneco and is dressed in Indian clothes. Hope speaks to her of fond memories, but Faith says she does not speak English. Magawisca says she will be their interpreter.

Hope tries to wrap an English dress around her sister, to hide her Indian clothes. Faith shrugs it off, perturbed by the action. Hope asks her if she remembers the slaughter at Bethel, but Faith says she is grateful for that day, which led her to her feelings for Oneco. Hope says that if she will come home with her, she will pledge her life to her, but Faith will not leave her husband. Finally, Hope says that if Faith will come with her, she will see to it that she is always dressed in jewelry and finery. Faith has been admiring her rings, and seems to consider the offer. When she does not agree, Hope gives her the rings as a remembrance. Hope notices Mononotto is waiting in the canoe, and Faith, Oneco, and Magawisca say they have to go.

A boat filled with armed men rounds the bend and they quickly take Faith and Magawisca prisoner. Hope shouts to Oneco that she did not know and was not part of the plot. Oneco seizes her and puts her in his canoe, shouting that he will do to her whatever they do to Faith. Sir Philip appears and urges the men to chase Oneco’s canoe. He goes to tell Digby what has happened. The guards appear with Magawisca and Mary. Everell, who has not yet left, is delighted to see Magawisca, but she ignores him. He pleads with his father and Winthrop to have mercy on her, but Winthrop is determined to send her to a jail cell. Everell learns that Hope was the decoy and has been taken captive.