Hope Leslie, or Early Times in the Massachusetts

A bedraggled sailor arrives at the Winthrop mansion. He speaks no English, but knows Italian. Governor Winthrop charitably feeds him and gives him a place to sleep for the night. Afterwards, Hope convinces Craddock to come with her to visit Magawisca in jail. They convince Barnaby to let them spend ten minutes with her, even though they have no permit. Once they are inside, Magawisca and Craddock switch clothes. In disguise, Hope is able to get her out of jail. 

Jennet had overheard Everell and Hope plotting to free Magawisca, and then related their plan to Sir Philip. Sir Philip is revealed to be in league with the desperado Chaddock, whom he has hired to apprehend Hope during her escape with Magawisca. He waits anxiously for Chaddock to return. When he does, he has Hope with him, but she has been badly beaten. On a boat, Philip apologizes and believes that he will still be able to win her heart. Overcome by everything that has happened, Rosa throws a lantern into the barrels of gunpowder. The ship explodes, throwing them all into the water. 

The reader learns that Oneco was the sailor who appeared at the Governor’s home, speaking a language no one knew. As soon as everyone was asleep, he went to Faith Leslie, and they rejoiced at being together again. Jennet surprises them, however, and threatens to turn them in. Oneco draws a knife and orders her to come with them as they flee. They reach the cove where Oneco left his boat. Jennet sees men coming towards them and believes that they will help her. However, these are Chaddock’s men. They put a shawl over her head and drag her away.

Shortly after escaping from jail, Magawisca and Hope join Everell. Magawisca tells Everell that she had begun to doubt him, but now she knows that her sacrifice for his life so long ago was worth it. She tells him, however, that they will never meet again. There is no way for the Indians and the whites to live together in harmony. They reach the place where Digby is waiting for them. Before parting, they beg her to return to them one day, to teach them how to be as happy as she is. Magawisca says they will make each other happy through their love. Hope gives Magawisca a small painting of Everell to take with her and they say goodbye. When they reach Governor Winthrop’s mansion, Everell kisses her hand and goes to the jail, ostensibly to rectify the situation with Craddock. 

After the explosion of the boat, the family had been in a panic. They are overjoyed to see Hope returned safely to them. It is revealed that Antonio, the Italian man from the boat who believed that Hope was an incarnation of the Holy Virgin, has the packet of letters that Rosa, delivered to Sir Philip in the courtroom. Because they were delivered during the trial, Philip had not been able to read them. Now, when they are finally opened at Winthrop’s mansion, they reveal that Sir Philip is a liar, a Catholic, and a political ally of Thomas Morton, a political enemy of the colony. Jennet is the only one unaccounted for. Hope is sad that her sister is gone, but glad that she is happy.

Magawisca, Faith, and Oneco return to Mononotto. His health and strength return; their presence is a miracle to him. 

At the Winthrop mansion, Hope and Everell receive a letter from Esther, saying she intends to spend a few years in England. It is her fondest wish that Everell and Hope confess their love to each other. With Esther out of the house, the final barrier to their union is gone. Everell’s father is proud and happy that his aims have finally come to pass.