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CAPTURE OF' THE PIRATE AT QUEBEC

. V

PREFACE.

CoJLD I think that tho lollovring pages contained any
merit suflScient to atone for their many faults, I should
pen these introductory lines with a less unfaltering
hand. As it is, I can only commend my book to the
indulgence of the reader. If I have any satisfaction in
sending it forth, the qualities productive of that satis-
faction are merely of a negative character-— consisting
of an absence of the false philosophies now in vogue,
and the polluting pitch of licentiousness, evils which too
surely convey to the inexperienced mind a poisonous
contagion, more swift and deadly than that the eastern
prince imbibed, while turning over the fatal leaves
bequeathed him by his seer. , , . .

And nonr my bubble is blown. For the evanescence

PREFACE.

of its existence I am fully prepared, and shall be wel '
content if any thing in the form or colouring of the
momentary trifle please even the passing glance of the
condescending beholder. But some will say life has
more serious ends than to be frittered away in creating
or in beholding mere bubbles. This is true to a certain
extent ; yet even in bubbles there may be found matter
of important observation, and touches of beauty sug-
gestives of ideas refining to the taste and softening to
the disposition. The Bard of Avon found " good in
every thing ;" and so will most rightly tempered minds.
If, then, my book wholly fails to yield improvement as
well as gratification, let the reader share the blame.

To those who think that the orders of fiction should
be preserved as distinct from each other as the orders of
architecture, both the treatment and design of this work
will give great offence. It is not strictly a domestic or
a sentimental story, neither is it an humorous or a
fashionable story; nor does it claim kindred with any
decided school whatever, but partakes, perhaps, of all.
Another more serious argument among adverse critics
will be this — that the professed heroine does not chiefly
sustain what interest there may be found here. For (his
license which I have taken I make no plea other than
that the nature of my design required an exception to
what I admit should be held as a general rule.

FRIPACB.

Ill

With respect to the characters I feel that I have not
done justice to my own conceptions. In the Pirate I
aimed to show a man whose vices were all of an open
description, and originated in one single passion, and
that a comparatively rare one — the hve o(rttle. He is
temperate, dignified, firm, but not cruel ; brave, cour-
teous, and always suffering a secret struggle between
his principles and the enthralling power of his master
passion. His son, Clinton^ was drawn from the life, and
therefore should have been more skilfully portrayed.
The goddess to which he s&crifices himself and others
is pleasure. Of a poetical temperament, of a delicate
organisation answering to the faintest play of fancy and
feeling, without any fixed principles to guard these
dangerous gifts, he plunges, upon the first disappoint-
ment he meets in life, into dissipation, and, as an
almost natural consequence, into fraud, to support that
dissipation. His culpable conduct to the artless Lucy,
is a picture of what too frequently takes place in real
life. The proud lords of creation can descend to very
petty vanity, and in order to gratify it will peril the
peace of ^.he young and inexperienced female without
remorse. In suddenly removing Clinton from fortune
and happiness to a grave beside hor, I have performed
an act of poetical justice. Of the other persons who
figure in this story I shall here say nothing more than

1 W

PRBPAOI.

that £ucy is perhaps the female character most likely
to interest the readers* affectioru — Jeme, their e^eem^^
Lad, ffetieVf their imagination.

I have onlj now to request that those persons who
have honoured the present work during its progress
through the press with their very liberal patronage, will
accept from me many heartfelt thanks, and some apolo-
gies. I say some^ because I wish it to be distinctly under-
stood that only once, and that at the commencement of
my task, have I been the cause of those vexatious de-
lays that have occurred in the publication. This grievous
fault, and others more depending on mv own efforts, will,
I trust, be found remedied in the Historical Romance
I have recently undertaken, to which, in conclusion, I
beg to solicit the kmd attention of my well wishen.

I HE

CANADIAN GIRL ;

or., THE

IPQEAITE ©I? T'^MltE LAKES-

CHAPTER I.

She wandered on from morn to night ;
High were the trees— the lake waa broad ;
And not a sheltering roof in sight,
Nor friend to cheer the lonely road.

Toward the close of a warm and bright day, a young
girl was walking alone in one of the sublime wildernesses
of Upper Canada. She might be fourteen or sixteen
years of ace. Her head and feet were uncovered ; and
the tattere^d English frock which she wore, with tight
sleeves, barely hiding her shoulders, left her arms
also exposed, ns she walked slowly, she leaned on a
strong branch of a tree that she had picked up, but it
was evident, that even with the assistance of this, she
could scarcely move om\ rds, so much was she fatigued.
In truth, her solitary journeying had continued nearly

Tin: ( \\.\i i\\ cinr.,

all the (lav ; during \vlii( li time slu* liad not seen une
human habitation. FJonndlcss woods surrounded her;
and, with the lake whoso margin she pursued, were silent
to aw fulness. Scarce a l)ird amonj; the trees or on the
water was seen or heard ; sometimes a lawn darted from
the thicket on her right to slake its thirst in the clear
broad stream, and at the sight of tiie girl, scoured off to
join its companions ^t a distance ; hut the noise the
animal made tended rather to heighten, than disturb, the
deep rej)Ose of the scene. The brief Canadian «nnimer
had opened here all its finest beautic s, which the mois-
ture exhaled from the lake, prevented from becoming
scorched and withered. The soil, always fertile, had
now cast up its rarest productions, which no band of man
had sown or planted. Long grass, of a brilliant green,
covered all th(> wild imdulations of the ground, as far as
the windings of the hike and the woods permitted them
to be seen. Herbage, in luxuriant variety, mingled with
the grass, and exhibited the utmost freshness, its tints
comprising all shades of green, with sometimes a bright
brown or red. Occasionally, openings in the tangled
underwood, revealed spots of fairy-like beauty, sheltered
under the long overhanging branches (tf enormous trees,
and in such spots the few coy flowers Avhich graced the
solitude, were principally gathered.

There were six majestic trees standing apart from the
thicket to which they belonged, like a family growing in
close union, side by side : their far-extending roots
touched the water, and their combined foliage formed a
dark shade upon the grass for a considerable distance
round about them. They were Canadian oaks, of ancient
growth, and of mure than the usual size of that species.

THK CANADIAN UIRL.

As tlic girl {idvaiicod toward theso oaks, sho perceived
that the knotty (ibrcs of their roots mado the ground, on
the lak(! side, very hard and unequal for her blistered
feet, thoreloro she turned aside to the thicket, and fol-
lowed its course instead of that of the stream.

She had not gone many yards forward before she heard
the dick of a rille behind, and turning her head quickly
beheld two Indian hunters in the shade of the detached
group of oaks ; one was on his knee taking aim at some
object on the top of a tall cotton-wood tree, just beyond
the spot where she stood, and the other stood in an easy
attitude by his companion's side, ready to watch the re-
sult of the shot. The next moment the frightfid scream
of a young eagle rang through the air at the same
time with the startling report of the rifle. The noble
bird fell to the earth beating its wide wings with a loud
noise, in the agony of death.

" We have her — we have her!" shouted both the
hunters, in the Indian tongue, springing forward to
seize their prize. " 'Tis the calumet eagle, brother,'*
said the taller hunter, " tliat carried off the red deer
so gallantly, last sunset ; she's as brave a white-head as
ever wore plume. I know her own screech — it is the
loudest and the fiercest I ever heard."

" She has scree( hed her last, poor bird l'' said the
other, who was a twin- brother of the hunter who had just
sicken. " We are i)i luck to day! this has heou the
best shot aimed for these twelve moons paat! Come,
help me to sling it upon my back."

The tallest hunter, however, stood >\ itn his keen black
eyes fixed with awe upon the thicket, and allowed his
brother to buckle the leathern strap diound the body of

4 THn CANADIAN GIRL,

the eagle, unassisted. The two Indians exactly resembled
each other in all points, excepting height. They were
well-made, muscular, and handsome; and apparently
had no more than just reached the period of manhood.
Their countenances expressed openness, honesty, and
darinof : they were inseparable at all times. Their rifles
were made of the same kindof dark wood, of one length,
and of the same weight ; the pouch and horn which each
had hanging from the shoulder, were of one shape and
size; and the scanty, primitive garment of skins, with the
hair outwards, was worn alike upon both figures. In
the deer-skin belt drawn around each waist was placed
a broad knife in a leathern sheath, with a stout handle of
buckhorn, both made of one pattern.

" What is it that my brother sees ?" asked the shorter
Indian, who was stooping over the eagle, and with aston-
ishment perceived the awe-struck looks of his companion,
for which he could discern no adequate cause.

" SoMy!" cried the other, with uneasiness: " 'Twas
a white spirit! No woman of the Pale-faces would be
abroad here — 'tis an impossibility ! If she had the foot
of a hunter, she could not reach the nearest settlement
before to morrow's dawn I"

A few more words passed between the Indians, and
then leaving the bird which thev had had the unusual
good fortune to bring down, they pressed side by side
into the thicket, whore the girl had appeared to the taller
hunter — but she was not to be seen.

" What did I say to ytui ?" said the Indian who had
espied her. '• Did I not see a white spirit that had come
from the Indian's happy hunting-grounds whitlu'r our
fathers are gone?"

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

" We will search further/" said the other, sending a
keen glance around: " there may be some Pale-faces
here, from tl:e farm of the good old white man, the
Pastor, as they call him — he that teaches them out of the
Great Book : they come many days journey to hear him ;
they may be lying shaking in the grass now, for fear,
thinking we are savage hunters who would take them
prisoners and scalp them. These Pale-faces, brother,
have womens hearts, and their women are like the fawns,
they drop down at the sound of a rifle !"

" JNo ; it was a white spirit," said the taller ; " I saw
it pass under these outside trees, alone, before you fired.
Hark ! did not the bushes rustle'?" and he stooped with
his hand in that of his brother, attentively listening for
a considerable time. All was still, however ; and they
both became convinced that no human beinof was near:
fuUv satisfied of this, after the most vijjilant watchfulness,

■J O /

they returned to the spot where they had left the bird of
prey. The taller Indian looked on with quiet exultation,
uliile the other traced the passage of the lead through
its body.

" A clean shot, Sassa !" said he, turning it over, and
pointing with his finger to the ruffled and stained feathers
on the left side of the breast. " It hit her right under
the wing!"

Sassa disdained to express the pleasure he felt, but it
was sufficiently seen in the dancing light of his fearless
eye, and in the proud, but smiling curve, of his lip.
Grasping the legs of the eagle with both hands, and
exerting all his muscles to support the weight, the shorter
Indian swung the bird on his back, and proceeded with
it to the side of the lake. Sassa followed, carrvino- the

TnB CANADIAN GIRL.

two rifles on his right arm, while his left assisted in
supporting the body of the eagle, the left hand affection-
ately resting on the farthest shoulder of his brother.

" This is the first calumet eagle you have touched
since we have hunted together, Sassa," said he who born
the bird. " It is a rare piece of luck ! but who can tell,"
he added, " that it always lived in a nest ? Our peopio
have wonderful traditions ; and the good white Pastor
told us, Sassa, what we know to be true, that the Great
Spirit can do greater things than we know of Who can
tell," he said, turning upon his brother a look of real
seriousness, " long before the crack of a bullet was heard
in the Canadas, or the mocassin on the foot of an Indian
had pressed the grass of the wilderness, the spirit of the
eagle you have killed might have dwelt in another shape
— the shape you have just seen, Sassa ?""

" Would the spirit of an eagle dwell in a woman of
the White race, when it was once so seklom found in
their men ?" asked Sassa. The other did not reply ;
but throwing down his burden at the edge of the water,
stood reflecting; then exclaimed under the sudden im-
pulse of that generous affection for which both these
Indians were remarkable, " I am glad my brother struck
the eagle ! It is fit that Sassa, who has tho steadiest hand,
and sharpest eye, among the braves of our tribe, should
win feathers with his own rifle for his head ! It shall be told
to his honour before the aged hunters in our lodges !"

Sassa stretched out his hand — and his proud lips
quivered with manly s'^wsibility, as, emulating the grace-
ful humility of the other, he said, " The old huntf.rs have
given my brother the nam*> of the Eagle Eye; and the
buffalo, and moose-deer, know that ids hand is stt ady !"

THE CANADIAN GIRL. 7

He paused — leaning in a dignified attitude on his rifle,
then resumed, with something of passion in the depth of
his tones, " Shall I tell the son of my father, that our
hearts are as one ? This eagle which he sees, is his ; and
the buck, whose plump side sheathed his arrow to the
head yesterday — is mine. Have we not one lodge ?
Do we not eat together? The Pale-faces have taken
away our woods on the west, (where Lake Erie, and the
rivers wliich run inland, have borne our fathers canoes,)
but here they come more slowly — ^here they dread more
the snow and the cold. My brother and I, with the few
that remain of our tribe, will hunt here as our fathers
hunted in days past ; and Sassa will die with his fellow
hunter— for he was born with him !" As he concluded, a
canoe, covered with sheets of birch-bark, which had
been hidden under the bushes and weeds of the bank,
shot into sight upon the water. The valuable prize the
hunters had obtained was placed between them in (he
narrow vessel, and they were soon at the opposite side of
the lake, where vast trees formed a dark wall, growing
within the boundary of the stream.

From the hollow trunk of a decayed beech-tree, when
the twin-brothers had disappeared, stepped the girl, half
doubtful that she had indeed concealed herself so effec-
tually. She looked anxiously on all sides ; and then, with
the aid of her branch, again endeavoured to move for-
ward; but her limbs failed to perform their office, and she
sank on the ground.

Night came on, and mists rising from the lake, hung
suspended between the sky and the earth; but the air
was soft and refreshing to the wearied and fevered girl.
She had found a little honev in the tree-hollow which

THE f.A.N/. i;i.\N Gii;i„

had sheltered her, and had spread it over half of a small
cake that had been given to her when she started upon
her extraordinary journey ; with this she drank a little
fresh water, that she obtained in the hollow of her hands
from a rill which bubbled up from the jjround within the
labyrinth of the thicket, and flowed past her temporary
resting place. When the last morsel of her cake was
eaten, she clasped her hands on her knee, and looked
lip fixedly to the darkening heavens. Her lips moved
with inward prayer ; and instead of expressing appre-
hension, her pale countenance was irradiated with a
smile of thankfulness. She next arranged for herself
a couch of balsam-tree boughs, and broad leaves, in a
spot entirely hidden from sight, just within the thicket,
and there yielded to the welcome slumber that stole
swiftly over her senses.

When she awoke, it was with a convulsive start, and
she sprang up crying in shrill tones that sounded far
through the thicket, " Father — father — take me in the
boat! Leave me not in the burning ship 1 O, father, as
you hope for mercy, save me I save me !" The words
died off on her tongue, as, trembling from head to foot,
she revived to consciousness. Looking at her bed of
balsam, her lips moved again with thankful emotions.
She kneeled down, and thanked the Almighty that
she was safe. It was strange that so young a girl,
entirely unprotected, in a place so wild, and lonely,
should be thankful for her safety ! Yet so it was — and
the feeling was ardent too, again producing a flickering
smile on her lips, as she took up her branch with renewed
activity, and proceeded on her toilsome way. The mists
were dissipated by the rising sun, which threw its long

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

tracks of fire on the lake. Wild-ducks were floating out
from their coverts, and arranging their feathers with their
bills ; woodcocks and snipes, in considerable numbers,
added to the exhiliration of the scene ; and, as the lake
narrowed, she heard the loud clarion notes of a pair of
majestic swans, that moved slowly and heavily over the
surface of the water. The heat increased; — but she
walked onwards with the steadiness and speed of one
who had from her birth been inured to danger, hardship,
and fatigue, and who was supported by a resolution
based upon no common motives, which buoyed up her
spirits to a pitch above that usual with woman.

About the time of noon she rested in a sweetly shaded
spot, where she providentially found a piece of bison-
meat and some scraps of renison, which had been cooked
and left by hunters; there were other remnants scattered
around, all of which she collected in the skirt of her frock,
as she acknowledged with tears, the kindness of Him
who feeds the young ravens when they cry. Thus re-
plenished, she felt new vigour, and, hope leading the way,
she pressed on once more, having bound around her feet
some broad leaves which defended them for a time from
the ground. When the leaves wore oflF she replaced them
with fresh ones, but by this time the way had grown much
softei* and easier, lying on a gentle descent, and covered
with a thick layer of turf, and tender grass ; a breeze,
most grateful and refreshing, abated the fervent heat ;
and cascades, and small water courses, delightfully varied
the plain upon which she was now entering, and replied
to the soft murmurings of the breeze with a soothing,
and stilly sound. «

. I

THB CANADIAN OIBU

CHAPTER II.

" I would you did but see how the storm cliaf-'S, how it rages, how it
tali 08 up the shore ! but that's not to the point."— Shakspe ire,

" They hurried us aboard a bark ;
Boro us some loajjups to sea ! whore they prepar'd
A rntteii carcase of a boat, not rigg'd,
Nor laclcle, sail, nor mast ; the very rats
Instinctively had quit it : there they hoist us,
To cry to the sea that roar'd to us ; to sigh
To the winds, whose pity sighing back again,
Did U6 but loving wrong." — Sliakspeare,

The recollections of the young girl just introduced,
went as far back as her fourth birthday. On that day
she was in the interior of a ship which tossed very much
under one o^ those violent storms which are so frequent
and dangerous on Lake Superior. — This lake is the
largest and most elevated, as well as the most remote,
of the singular inland chain of great North American
seas of fresh water, which, says a writer, " may well be
considered the wonder and admiration of the world ;"
beyond this lake, lie interminable wastes of the dreariest
possible description, utterly uninhabitable, and buried
under perpetual winter.

During that storm she remembered lying in her fa-
ther's cabin, while he sat by her, eudeavouring in a very

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

kind manner, to keep down the terror which every now
and then caused her to scream aloud, and to cling round
his neck in convulsions. Frequently he was called
upon deck, by the title of " Mate !" and then an old
sailor, called Toby Haverstraw, took her father's place,
and administered brandy to her. The storm being over,
she was led by her fiither to the forepart of the vessel,
and shown the boiling waves, which, as far as the eye
could see, appeared like mountains of white foam, inter-
sected by pitchy vallies, and gulfs of frightful depth.
The clouds seemed to hang so low as almost to touch the
crests of these dazzling and innumerable heights — ^and
altogether, the spectacle was such as the child could
never forget. It prpcijjitated her mind forwards in intel-
ligence, and roused lier faculties to premature action.
She could retrace with what extraordinary quickness,
after that day, she had imbibed new ideas, and how
swiftly her capacity for affection had enlarged itself Her
father was loved with more and more devotedness ; — the
water and the skv unfolded more and more wonders: —
the ship was more and more a place of strange occur-
rences ; — and these composed her world for several
years. She became pleased with every variation of the
atmosphere. She learnt by degrees to admire the very
phenomena which caused her dread. Isolated from all
but her father, and ignorant of the world, she early en-
tertained the design of devoting her life to his good.
He was a man of proud and careless mien, and of a
reserved, disdainful temper, which had procured him
the nickname of " Seignior," among the crew, who,
nevertheless, paid great deference to his distinguished
nautical skill and courage. He seldom suffered his child

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

to leave his cabin in order to go on deck, unless in company
with him, and then never kept his eye off from her until
she returned to it again. When she was getting dull, he
would send in Toby Ilaverstravv to entertain her by
answering her multitudinous questions concerning such
a coast, such a sea, or such a storm ; and to provoke her
to question him further, the sailor would tell tales of
marvellous events that he had picked up from seamen at
diffbrent periods of his marine life. Hence, Toby be-
came also much loved by Little Jenny, which was the
name he bestowed on her. The use of these two words
was a particular favour permitted to Toby by the mate
her father, and to him only, for none else were allowed
to address her by any other but the English appellation
— Miss Anderson. Her father himself called her Jane,
^s did likewise the captain — a grave, good old man, who
seemed to leave all the active management of the ship
to Leonard Anderson — his mate.

Jane was sometimes left on shore in the care of persons
on whom her father could rely — once she was left at
Quebec, in Lower Canada, in the house of the captain's
lady, where she learnt more of the true nature of right
and wrong, of good and evil — with the addition of the
ordinary rudiments of female education — than ever she
had learnt before. There was an originality about the
little girl that delighted Madame Barry, and she took
considerable pains with her.

This lady was childless, having lost her only son in the
disease known as the March fever. Lonfr-endurinsr
grief for his loss had imparted to her bearing an air of
touching melancholy, which called forth the sympathy of
^11 who approached her. She constantly retained her

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

mourning dress, which she purposed oaring without
chanjre durinjr the remainder of her life. Its never-
varying style, a la Francaise, rather stiff and antique,
but charmingly relieved with snowy-white frills, ker-
chiefs, and ruffles, harmonised with, and expressed her
character; her precise head-dress, composed of white
crape, under the surveillance of a reputed French-
Canadian milliner of Quebec — suited very well the
settled placidity and gravity of her matron features,
which were marked with the sorrows and trials of fifty
years. The captain, her husband, was fifteen years
older than herself, and it was while Jane Anderson
was at his house that he was gone upon what he had
hoped would prove his last expedition, before he finally
gave up a sea life. And his last expedition it proved —
for he never returned more. Madame Barry, leading
Jane by the hand, daily visited the Quebec Harbour in
search of her husband's vessel, or with the expectation of
receiving some intelligence of it; but month after month
passed away, after the period when his return was ex-
pected, and hope was gradually changed into agonising
doubt and apprehension. At length Madame Barry re-
ceived tidings that a vessel had been cast away in the
north channel of the St. Lawrence, between He aux Cou-
dres and Quebec, where many shipwrecks had before
occurred. Further particulars arrived to confirm her
worst fears ; and at length it was proved, beyond all
doubt, that it was Captam Barry's vessel which had sunk
almost in eight of the bay of La Prairie, on the north
side of He aux Coudres, and it was supposed that all
on board had perished.
But in a short time after came still more distressing

THE CANADIAN OmL.

tidings. Tlie weather, at the time of the wrccUInf* of
the Antelope vessel, belonf»inf]r to Captain Barry, had
been particularly calm, and this circumstance, joined
with others of a still more suspicious nature, led to the
appalling supposition that the ship had been purposely
found»!red by some of the crew.

Madame Bar-" no sooner became convinced of the
truth of this report, than she sold olfher few possessions
and entered a convent of Quebec, Ui)j)er Town. Pitying
the forlorn condition of Jane Anderson, whose father she
supposed had perished with the captain, Madame would
have taken the friendless girl into the convent with her,
and would have provided for her educauou ind mainte-
nance there, unti^ she was grown to a mort advanced
age. But her kindly intentions were frustraed, by the
sudden disappearance of the object for whose benefit they
were exerted.

Jane was wandering in the extensive garden adjoining
Madame Barry's residence, when her father and Toby
Haverstraw appeared on the path before her, just within
the gate. She would have screamed for joy, but was
prevented by the former, who immediately took her to the
St. Lawrence river, and placed her in a small boat, which,
rowed by Toby and another sailor, quickly reached a long,
but liglitly-framed ship, that Jane had never seen before.
Upon this vessel she heard her father hailed as " Captain,"
instead of " Mate," the latter office beinir now assijrned to
Tobv Haverstraw. Before she had done wondering at
this and other strange alterations, for which she could
not account, and of which she received no explanation,
Leonard Anderson directed tlie " Vulture " to be set for-
ward up the St. Lawreuce, toward the great Lakes q\

wrecking of
I Barry, had
ance, joined
?, led to the
)n purposely

need of the
V possessions
ivn. Pitying
se father she
dame would
nt with her,
xnd mainte-
t advanced
I' e;l, by the
benefit they

*'A

'^..

n •

,vv;

m adjoining
p and Toby
, just within
)y, but was
k her to the
)oat, which,
)hed a long,
leen before.
" Captain,"
assigned to
)nderinff at
she could
xplanation,
I be set for-
it Lakes oi'

: '

trawn byT!I\Shei ■■•8r>i

a;; -J siKi":

.j\Sh '.AY 1-OW.N hi' ,\ SKTTl.Kvr.

WoBwtfMKTT^ u.ais^oii A- y„-iv •.

THB CANADrAN OinL.

lil

Upper Canada.— It was done ;— and tho Pirato (for such
was Anderson now) contliiiRul navi;jfating on these in-
land soas, his 'hiu;,'htor living in his cahin, until the pe-
riod of tho opening of our story, when Jane had left tho
ship under circumstances of peculiar terror, and had fled
for refuge to the wilderness.

At tho evo of iier second day's journey, being exhausted,
she lay down hy a settlement and slept. She had walked
during those two days from a river connected with tho
Ottawa, a d stance of thirty or foity miles, but had now,
though she know it not, reached tho place of her desti-
nation. She was roused about midnight by tho noise of
a North American rattle-snake, one of which had coiled
itself under some dwarf bank-pines almost close by the
felled tree on which she had pillowed her head. She
arose immediately; but found her joints so stiff and
painful that she could scarcely stand. Now, indeed, her
heart sank fearfully; she stood moveless for a consider-
able time, hardly daring to breathe, but yet all the time
endeavouring to call up sufficient of that energetic
courage, which was native in her heart, to resist the in-
fluences of her dreadful situation ! Presently, while a
clammy dew overspread her face and her hands, while
she appeared under tho starry sky, and amid the dusky
foliage, as a fixed and rigid figure of marble, the cautious
dash of the paddle of a canoe came upon her ear as the
most welcome sound ever heard beneath heaven. She
turned her head in the direction from whence the sound
had come, and beheld a scene of the most picturesque
description : — an oval basin of calm clear water from the
lake lay stretched out in front of numerous log-houses
and cabins, which were backed by lofty pines, firs, and

111

I ;

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

cedars ; its banks were formed of high and wild green
slopes, thickly bordered with bank-ijincs, juniper shrubs,
and other small trees, such as flourish principally in low,
well-watered districts. The dark surface of the water
mirrored these around its edges, while in the centre the
twinkling orbs above were reflected with all their solemn
beauty. But the eye of the girl gazed not at any of those
parts of the picture — neither did she take any notice of
the bold ridge of rocky hills which ran by the settlement
on the right, exhibiting a lofty mass of shade, and an out-
line of positive grandeur — nor did she observe on the left,
an abrupt and deep ravine, which descended from the
level land; — ^but her eye was strained throu 'h the all-
pervading glooraj on perhaps a dozen bright red lights,
which were burning near together — sometimes stationary,
sometimes moving — a few inches above the surface of
the water. She knew they were formed of blazing pine-
knots, placed in iron baskets at the heads of fishing-boats;
and thus she was aware that succour was nigh.

** Ah !" she cried, trembling and weeping with ex-
citement, " I shall yet be safe ! I have reached the
8*»ttlement whereto I was directed. In a few minutes —
only a few minutes — I shall have made the fishers hear
me, and then I need fear no more !" She endeavoured
to call aloud, but her voice was weak and hoarse, with
the heavy cold she had caught by sleeping on the damp
ground. Having walked with pain and difficulty to that
part of the bank nearest the lights, and farthest from the
dangerous rattle-snake which she had espied, she again
strove to attract the attention of the fishers ; but failing,
sat down close to the water and wept aloud, drooping
Iier head on her knees, and clasping her bands over it

vild green
er shrubs,
ly in low,
the water

entro the
^ir solemn
y of those

notice of
settlement
id an out-
)u the left,
I from the
h tlie all-
red lights,
stationary,
surface of
Lzing pine-
ing-boats;

TUB CANADIAN UIRL-

\ <'

••• ; fj:' : .':. ' •/

\\ :.•-.

■: • V uj^.y'

. ;: : ".7

I " • ,

;-■ V' jiA

; CHAPTER III.

" What is my offence?"— iS^Xr«j)e<tr#.

f "^ -^= 7

In this valley stood two principal farms, lying near
to each other, and enjoying a highly prosperous con-
dition. A little beyond them was the romantic resi-
dence of a magistrate of this district, named Wilson,
whose office might be considered almost a sinecure, but
for the circumstauciB that he received no salary. He was
ffae resident pastor also, and engaged himself unceasingly
in the labours belonging to this profession.

A. grandson and grandaughter, Arthur Lee, and Lucy,
his sister, were his endeared companions amid the wil-
derness; the one adorned his small, but interesting
establishment, over which she presided — the other shared
and cheered his study and his mental toil, and also
overlooked the cultivation of his grounds.
, The poor wandering daughter of the Pirate of the
Lakes, a short time after her arrival in the neighbour-
hood of tlio two large farms of this settlement, sat era-
ployed in making nets at one corner of the main apart-
aifnt of that farm which lay nearest to the large nooi oo

'"I

'^U

THK CANADIAN OIRL.

which shtf aad seen the fishers. In this apartment were
at least a dozen persons assembled, to whom Pastor
Wilson was continually exclaiming, " Good people —
peace ! No sense, nor reason, is to be heard in such
confusion. 1 his is worse than Babel ! Will you be
silent — that those may speak who know something of the
matter !" His gold-headed cane was frequently rapped
on the floor to assist the effect of his words; and at
length the hubbub, which had existed for a quarter of an
hour without cessation — began to subside.

" Now, Pastor Wilson," cried the master of the farm,
subduing the rough and vindictive tones of his angry
voice, into a more respectful modulation, " please you,
let ' '' know your mind?"

** If you will hear me, Joshua," said the pastor, " I will.
But hitherto there has been no opportunity for me to
speak one word. Bring the young man hither, and place
your family around my chair, farmer. I must first hear
the statements of you and your's ; then converse with
the accused; and afterwards, I hope to give such a
judgment as shall satisfy all of you." -i > - ■ h',

" Judgment !" muttered the farmer (or backwoods-
man), casting his eye toward a young man of very pre-
possessing exterior, who advanced to the left side of the
arm-chair in which the benevolent pastor sat. " Judg-
ment! were I on the States-frontier, out of reach of
the law — a tough hiccory-branch, and a stout cord,
should soon give the rogue judgment ! There ho stands,
pastor V' continued the half-wild settler aloud, pointing
to the youth, who. with a smile of calm contempt seemed
to defy his threats: — "there he stands — the knave I
»»i!h that cursed care-for-nothing look of his — which I

TVB CANADIAN GIRL.

rtmeut were
horn Pastor
d people —
ard in such
^ill you be
thing of the
ntly rapped
rds; and at
uarter of an

of the farm,
f his angry
please you,

itor, " I win.
y for me to
»r, and place
ist first hear
inverse with
give such a

backwoods-
[)f very pre-
t side of the
t. « Judg-
of reach of
stout cord,
re ho stands,
ud, pointing
empt seemed
-the knave t
lis — which I

gn^ has stolen away the wits of all the foolish gn)$ in
the two farms !" — ...

'* Softly, my godd Joshua," interrupted the pastor ;
♦* we will see justice done to you — do not fear. What
is your name, young man V*

- " Nicholas Clinton," replied the person addressed,
with a peculiarly pleasing tone of voice, accompanied by
a respectful bend of the head.
^ " And your country ?" demanded the venerable pastor.

" Germany "

" Germany — Germany — " repeated the interrogator
— ^your name is not German — T think ! it is more like
one of my own country. Your appearance is English,
too." At these words Nicholas Clinton avoided the pas*
tor's eye, and appeared slightly embarrassed. %:r,( '

" And how long have you been from Germanv V*
said Pastor Wilson. .' - ; . .s>^ ,4

" Nearly four years," replied Clinton.

" And what were your intentions in emigrating
hither r

" I came to see a near relative, my moiuer, who lived
in Lower Canada," was the reply ; " but the ship in
which I sailed was foundered ; its commander, Captain
Barry, and all his crew sank with it. I got to land by
floating on a piece of the wreck, until a passing vessel
picked me up. Afterwards, I made my way with great
difficulty to this part of the country, and then — ^"

" He imposed on me, so that 1 took him into my
farm !'* exclaimod the backwoodsman ; " and here he
has been treated like one of my own sons — let him deny
itifhecanl" ,i i;-'^ ^^.''. ^i ',: ,; ■.*...., >;. i ,f- .,• ^j, ,

" I never will deny it !" said Clinton. " I have found

15; :

TIIS CANADIAN- aiRU

you hospitable and generous — and I have done all thftt
lay in my power to repay you. Certainly — I could not
toil as you and your sons have toiied : my frame/' he
said, stretching out his arms, and surveying his verj
slight figur3 with a smile, " is of a different quality from
your's.— I was never made to wield the hatchet ; — but I
have kept your reckonings — penned your letters — con-
tracted your bargains — and seen your timber floatecl
down the Ottawa, for sale — besides — " ; . .

" Corrupting the household!" cried farmer Joshua,^
with a look of rage. --.! i

" Whom have I corrupted?" asked Clinton, very
coolly. : .., =. ..;,.>. .;,.-•;: ;. - ■ -i It j^.

" Whom !" repeated the backwoodsman. " Here,
Dan — ^Dan, step out into the light, boy) and tell your
tale !" With an air of authority he beckoned as he spoke
to one of his sons, whom the females of the household
were endeavouring to keep back.

"Come hither, Dan — or it will be worse for you !**
exclaimed the fathfir. " Put aside the babbling women,
and tell Pastor Wilson the truth. — Do you hear !"

The last three words were pronounced with startling
|>ower, and they were answered immediately by the ap-
proach of Dan to the head of the room, whither he was
followed close by his mother and sisters.

" If you speak one word more than is true — ^may your
tongue be blistered for a twelvemonth !" said the settler's
wife. *'■ > '■' ''• - ♦tjf i:;> :* ' ^«t^ --.i •

« Go ! — you were always a mischief-maker, and a
trouble-sower, you were, Dan! Could nothing serve
your turn, but you must set this fire raging ?" cried M»
eldvist sister, with bitter emphasis, .a .. ■• ^ . .

TRB CANADIAN OIRL.

** I piirss,'* said Dan, casting a half*Rpol(^elic luok
totrard Clinton, " I have made more stir here than 1
meant to make."

" Why I am glad to hear you say so !" said the pastor,
who felt secretly much interested for the youth. " Well,
then, after all it is some slight offence — nothing of any
consequence, which Nicholas Clinton has committed.*'

" He tells you a lie, if he says it is no more !" cried
the settler. " There was a time when no son of mine
durst stand and speak a lie in my hearing ! and as it is
—I warn him — I warn himl'* . .v< -''• c'^*•' ->'v'

" Father," said Dan, laying his hand on the settler's
arm, " I will tell the pastor every word I told you— only
do not let mother and the girls rail on me. — ^Bid them
not look at me as if I invented the story to drive out
Clinton from our house. As sure as I am standing on
our own 'arth, mother," he continued, turning toward
the females, " I mean Clinton no harm ! You know no
one in the farm had the liking for him I had. Havn't
I taken his part often when my brothers complained
against him? — Havn't I been his friend up to this
present lime V*

*• Its true ! — Its true 1" cried the settler : " I have
noticed it." -v. 'v 'r,^.^., r. j.._ ■ .».;,•,.

" His friebd!" reiterated the mistress of the farm.—
*♦ You havn't man enough in you, Datt, to beany raan's
friend — you know you havn't!' ., y:,rt s

*' Go— go !" exclaimed the three young women,
' with stinging disdain. *' You take his part !"— Ill would
' betidd Clinton's cause— if only Dan were to defend it !"

" There now, father !" cried Dan ; " they mock me
and upbraid me, as ifl — *' ,.*. ,,- *>>fi7-^ • ...

TUB CANADIAN OIRL.

<* Go on r' imperatively exclaimed the settler ; and
his sou hastened to give a tolerably clear account of
Clinton's offence.

The very large apartment in which this animated
scene occurred, was, as we have said, the principal room
of the farm. The praiseworthy industry of the settler's
wife and daughters, had kept this, and every other part
of the building, in a state of thorough cleanliness. The
eye could not rest upon any spot which indicated neglect
All was well ordered, shining, and regular. The com-
monest utensils were made to serve for ornament as well
as use. The three expansive window-benches were loaded
with flowers ; and the white-washed walls were hung
with ranks of implements of husbandry, fishing, and
hunting spears, rifles, knives, shot-pouches, dirks, &c.,
which were kept in admirably neat array — ready for
instant use — by the four sons of the settler. The fire-
place, in the centre of the apartment, consisted only of
a vast hearth, and a chimney ; which, being without fire,
afforded the inmates of the farm another spot for di
playing the flowers of the season. The lower end of the
room, connected with the kitchen, exhibited a goodly
collection of trenchers and drinking cups, in rows, on
each side of the doorway — ^the upper rows being of bright
metal, the under rows of polished horn. The opposite
end of the room led into the sleeping apartments, and it
was at this end that the pastor sat, in a large easy chair,
to decide, in his capacity of magistrate, upon the case
brought before him. He was nearly seventy years of
age, but his cheek was fresh and ruddy, and his frame
bore not the slightest vestige of decay: his silver hairs
were covered with an English clerical hat, looped up at

THE CANADIAN OIBL. V9

Uia ades : his figure was perfectly upright, and one }eg
rested horizontally over the other, neatly coveted with
black cloth gaiters. He retained, in these sohtudes, the
black dress, the white lawn ends depending from his
cravat, and the silver knee and shoe-buckles, which had
together characterised liis appearance when, in former
years, he resided on a benefice of the county of Suffolk,
in England. His countenance expressed the goodness
and mildness of his disposition ; his manners were unas-
suming and kindly; and his speech was particularly
persuasive, affectionate, and instructive. u',' c r.- .-, 7

At his left hand, stood in an easy, careless position,
the young man who was known in the farm as Nicholas
Clinton, " the scholar." His throat had been bared on
account of the heat, and its uncommon fairness con-
trasted the sunburnt tinge of his face, which, however,
added richness to, rather than injured, his almost femi-
nine complexion. His figure was rather below the
middle height, very slenderly formed, but of most ac-
curate proportions, making up in activity what it wanted
in strength. His manners were such as might have
been formed by superior education and society; and
yet, to a very close observer, there was something in
them not easily to be defined, which was not altogether
satisfactory. On the surface, he was all that was pleasing ;
and no one knew better how to adapt himself to different
characters in order to accomplish an object — ^than
Nicholas Clinton. . ^ , .^

Farmer Joshua, the Canadian settlor, from the States,
who was standing opposite Clinton, might bo viewed in
some respects, as a specimen of his class. He stood mora
than six feet in height — sinewy — shrunken— "Of great

h!!

h-. 1

* TRB CANADIAN OIRU

itrength— and unrefined manners. His dress was ft long
broirn surtout, of the coarsest possible manufketnr^
irith leg^ngs of the same sort of cloth. His face hftd
been exposed to the elements until it had become neailj
at dark as that of an Indian, and bu&ay black hair, matted
ftbove it, considerably added to the uncivilised character
of his aspect. A slouching stoop of the shoulders, mftde
his height seem less than it was, and in some measure
disguised the strength which he possessed. There waa
in his features an invincible independence, a perfect re-
liance on his own resources, and a patriarchal authority.
The inroads of civilization into the wilds which he had
penetrated, he viewed with great jealousy ; and his aver-
sion against persons from civilised parts, was easily ez«'
cited, and difficult to be overcome.
- The sons of the settler all more or less resembled him*
Hie eldest, who bore his father*s name, had married the
daughter of a States frontier-man, and had built a farm
vA cleared some acres of land around it, at a convenient
distance firom that in which he had been reared up. On
the present day he had joined his brothers and sisters in
Ms father^s house, to hear the charge which Dan, the
settler^s second son, had brought against the favourite —
Clinton.

The wife of farmer Joshua the elder, was in ^nost re-
spects a partner suitable for him. She w.vs robust, ac-
tive, and cleanly, although violent in her temper, and
rough in her manners. Her daughters inherited her
virtues and infirmities ; but few more healthy, lively
energetic women existed, than those brought up beneath
ihe eeitlor^s roof. Refinement, which so much enhances
the beauty of the sex, is not without many attendant

THE (JANADIAN GIRL

evils, trom which these persons were free. The perfection
of the female condition, perhaps, would be, when, to the
attainments, the soilness, and sensibility of polite society,
were added the advantages of the uncultivated.

The forlorn Jane dropped her netting as Dan spoke
his charge against Clinton. She saw that all parties were
expectant, and as Clinton had behaved to her very kindly,
her sensibility was awakened for him, and she tremblingly
hoped he would be cleared from the threatening dis-
honour. When her eye turned toward the accuser, and
from him to the accused, the contrast between them in-
creased her prepossession for the latter ; and, misled by
fancy and by deceptory appearances, she entertained not
a doubt of his innocence. Her own acquaintance with
misfortune, the sense of her own solitary situation, united
with inexperience, induced her to yield to first impress-
sions in favour of Clinton, without examination.

He had thrilled her youthful heart, when he told the
pastor his brief story, and tears of pity and of sympathy
filled her eyes. She had ill endured to hear and see the
settler's behaviour to him ; her colour came and went ;
she breathed quick <i,nd loud ; and shrank within herself
as one violent, and, as she thought, savage speech, suc-
ceeded to another, from farmer Joshua's lips.

Her attention was now fastened upon the speech of
Dan, which was to this purport : — Clinton had fre-
quently hinted to him how e?^'{ it might be to advance
themselves in one of the pop 'ms cities of the States,
had they but a few hundred dollars. Dan at length be-
gan to think there was more in this than met the eye ;
and, to try the other, pretended to encourage the sug-
gestion, and to invite him to speak with less restraint

;

■ I

26-

THE CANADIAN 01RL.

concerning the moans by which tho sum might be ob-
tained. They were much thrown in each other's way
during tie floating out of a quantity of timber from the
settlement, the rafts being entrusted to their care ; and it
was during these journeys that Clinton, by degrees, pro-
posed to Dan to borrow from the settler, without his
knowledge, a bag of dollars, which they were aware he
had concealed in the farm.

"There!— There! Pastor Wilson!" ciied the infu-
riated settler : '' do you hear that ? Hanging is too good
for him ! A traitor by one's own 'arth ! He has come
in and gone out under this roof of mine, just as free and
welcome as I who built it I He has been idle when it
pleased him — and yet I call all here to witness, he has
hcd as ;nuch of my store as any of the children of my
own flesh and blood, from iny eldest-born to my yotingest ;
and there has not been one of them, though I say it, who
would not have done a week's work, where he has done
a day's !"

" I acknowledge it may be so — and I regret it," said
Clinton, with calmness. " Perhaps to you, pastor, I
scarcely need say, that habits of contemplation and
study, and the indulgence of reveries, for which my tem-
per was always peculiarly fitted, are not easily overcome,
especially amid scenes such as this wilderness supply.
Farmer Joshua has been entirely unable to comprehend
my character, and has had so often to accuse me of inat-
tention to the rougher parts of his occupation, that I
must say, I have feared for some time, an open dismission
from his house."

'' You were formerly accustomed to a sedentary life I
said the pastor.

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

r overcome*

« I was," replied Clinton, colouring, as some secret
remombranco was awakened by the inquiry.

" You have been accustomed to writing, to books,
and to accounts ?" asked the pastor. Clinton replied in
the affirmative. " But for this untoward affair, I should
havelbeen glad to accept your services," said the pastor.

" You honour me," said Clinton, bowing; and while
the receding flush left a paleness on his cheek, a half smile
played on his lips.

" And now, Nicholas Clinton," cried the pastor,
" let us hear your answer to the settler's son."

" No, sir," said Clinton, with a negligent air ; " 1
make no answer to hiniy whom I too perfectly despise !
I would not put myself to the trouble. He has declared
my offence — it is for you to give judgment, (which I trust
will be severe enough to satisfy the farmer,) and so the
matter is concluded."

The pastor deliberated, and found it difficult to en-
tertain a serious belief that Clinton's intentions had really
been of so guilty a nature as Dan described. The lattei
had evidently been reluctant to give his testimony, and
had faltered in different parts of it ; he had contradicted
himself more than once, and both at the commencement
and termination had said with anxiety, that perhaps
Clinton might not have meant exactly what he said.

Then the pastor considered what Clintoa had remarked
concerning his own disposition and habits ; and the good
man could not but feel that the scholar must have been
very much out of his proper element here, where manners
were so rough, language so unpolished, ignorance of
literature so entire. He saw at once that the settler and
Clinton could never have assiml'-tpd, and therefore far-

THK CANADIAN OTRL.

j 1

ill

.1 ''!

mer Joshua's bitterness did not in the least prejudice his
mind against the young man, but on the contrary, rather
disposed him to bo lenient. Suspicions more than
once crossed his mind, that the whole charge was an in-
vention on the part of Dan, and it was under this im-
pression that ho again requested Clinton to defend him-
self if he could do so.

" Sir," said Clinton, " only to yourself will I conde-
scend to make any remarks upon this most extraordinary
accusation ; and I entertain not tho remotest hope that
by them, I shall at all succeed in removing tho stain from
my character. Reputation is a brittle thing, and once
broken, there is no repairing it. But you will perhaps
be surprised if I attempt to turn my enen '- weapons
against himself; in other words, if I chargj him with tho
very design which he has said was mine. He told mo
there were dollars to a considerable amount concealed
here, or I should not have known that circumstance ; and
he needed my counsel how to turn the money to most
account, or he would not have risked a discovery by
placing confidence in me. When I was fully master of
his intentions, I resolutely told him, that, if ho did not
immediately swear to abandon them, I would expose him ;
then, as I imagine, fear drove him upon this supposed
remedy — and I am made the scape-goat of his guilt"

" What depravity !" exclaimed the pastor. " To
whatever part of the world men go, there does evil
flourish among them !"

" Now mav I never handle an axe, or shoulder a riflo

more," cried the settler " if this is not the blackest lie

that ever mortal coined ! Dan ! havn't you a word to say

f'>- yourself? Are you struck dumb 1 I'd wager my

TIIR CANADIAN OIRL.

rlf^ht arm, boy, you shouM speak quick enough, if it
warn't for the law, you should !*'

The jKistor fixed a frowning look on the settler's son,
who displayed to appearance all the signs of guilt on
his face, his eyes being wildly fixed on Clinton, while his
lips moved inarticulately, and a burning red hue ensan-
guined his bronzed visage.

Dan had been the least liked in the settlor's household,
except by his father, who regarded all his children equally
with strict impartiality. At this unexpected turn of af-
fairs, family pride naturally inchncd even those who had
always been jarring with him, to stand forward for his
vindication ; but wht'n t!>oy saw his confused, alarmed
looks, and observed, as they construed it, his guilty si-
lence, one whispered with the other, and no one spoke
for him but the settler himself.

" Where are you, — ^his brothers — his sisters — his
mother?" cried farmer Joshua, casting his eye down the
room : " have you no nat'ral feeling for the boy ! Is
there none among you who will use your tongue for him ?
Shame! — Shame! You .could talk fast enough for a
worthless puppy !"

" Dan's got a tongue of his own, let him deny what
Clinton says," said the eldest daughter. " If it is not
true, let him say so."

" Speak, fool — ^speak !" cried the settler, turning im-
peratively to his spell-bound son. " Tell the gentleman-
rogue he lies !" ' r ; .

«' I darn't father— I darn't," at length articulated
Dan, with difficulty, and then throwing himself down
upon a seat, he hid his face.

The settler groaned, and walked at once into the open

i 't

■'I
4

'J ;

: alK

3i' 1

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

air. TTie pastor arose : — ^** There is no more to be done,"
said he : "I leave you, Daniel, to your conscience, and
to tl 3 natural punishments which wrong-doing brings.
As a justice, I conclude here, I haye no means whereby
to demonstrate your offence more perfectly, neither are
they needed. I am afraid that even your nearest friends
concur in convicting you. My office as a minister, how-
ever, gives md the privilege of entreating you to let this
timely discovery, work your ultimate good. I will not
think you are yet familiar with thoughts of crime — I
would rather suppose that you have been tempted beyond
your strength, and so have let go your honesty only for
a time ; — God knows ! This young man, Nicholas Clin-
ton, was a stranger in your house ; he had been torn by
a mysterious p-ovidence from the society to which he had
been accustomed ; he was far from his relatives and
friends ; and yet you would have laid upon him the im-
putation of guilt he never committed, and have seen him
driven from your father's house, innocent, yet a miserable
and degraded man — branded with your crime !"

The pastor buttoned up his coat, and pressed his hat
on more firmly, then grasped his walking cane in his
right hand, and replaced his cambric handkercliief in his
pocket. " I wish you all good day," said he to the as-
sembled family of the settler. " My Lucy will be this
way I suppose to-morrow, with her brother, and may
step iu among you to dinner, if they will be welcome."

" It is many a month since I saw them," said the set-
tler's wife. " I thought they had clean put us out of
mind. Farmer Joshua will have some plump fruit for
them to taste ; it is as good as any raised by Mr. Arthur,
so you may tell him, pastor," She endeavoured to con-

to be done,"
science, and
oing brings,
ms wbereby
neither are
arest friends
nister, how-
u to let this
I will not
3f crime — I
pted beyond
isty only for
cholas Clin-
een torn by
'hich he had
elatives and
him the im-
ve seen him
a miserable

ssed his hat
cane in his
rchief in his
i to the as-
nll be this
r, and may
ivelcome."
said the set-
t us out of
np fruit for
Mr. Arthur,
ired to con-

''J

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

ceal the pain which the disgrace of her son occasioned
her, and looked as lively as usual, when she came out
at the door to see the pastor depart.

« I had nearly forgot," said he, " the young man
within, dame, will hardly like to stay in the farm after
this occurrence ; and his presence might very possibly
Stand in the way of Daniel's reconciliation with his fa-
ther, besides causing unforeseen unpleasantries. Now
as he is destitute of a home, and as employment suitable
to his attainments does not abound in these districts, I
will take him to assist my grandson and myself in our
little nest among the rocks, if it be agreeable to him, to
you, and to the farmer.'*

" As for me," said the settler's wife, " I shall be
heartily glad to see him so well provided for, and we
can't think old Joshua will be sorry to lose him. To
speak the sober truth, Pastor Wilson, Clinton has been
of very little service to him — ^he is too clever, and too
bookish, for our way of life ; he would never make a far-
mer while the world lasts."

" You are exactly of my opinion," said the pastor ;
** and it happens fortunately that just such an one as
Clinton I have for some time wished to have with me,
to-» ■ " ^^' '■'

" Yes," interrupted the settler's wife, without cere-
mony, " very true ; and as I was saying, Pastor Wilson,
Clinton is no helper to old Joshua ; and I can't say, if
the truth be told, but I shall be glad to sen him away^ tf
I only know he is comfortable ; for he is a gentleman,
that Pll say, and very civil and obliging to me and the
girls. I have lo ig seen something in Dan, pastor," she
said, with a sigh, " that 1 have not liked; and I must

I >

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

say, if the truth be told, I thought that al) was not
right."

" I hope he will see his error, and amend it," said
the pastor.— ■" But here comes Nicholas Clinton."

The pastor found that the latter was taking his leave
of the farm, and that he was about to f;o he knew not
whither. A kind smile from the benevcient old gentle-
man, invited him to pause in his hasty progress from the
house, and to turn back. The pastor held out his hand,
Clinton took it, and bade hi.ii farewell.

"No," was the rejoinder, " you must walk along with
me; and, periiaps, while we improve our acquaintance,
I may persuade you not to forsake the wilderness alto-
gether just yet, because one unpleasant affair has troubled
you in it."

« Clinton appeared to hesitate; but presently, with a
very ingenuous manner, accepted the proposal, and after
exchanging many adieus with the females of the farm,
set forward with the pastor across a romantic country,
to the house which the latter occupied, occasionally
stopping with him to admire some striking feature of the
extensive landscape, some new beauty in the water, the
earth, or the sky.

In front of the settlement of farmer Joshua, they
passed the glassy fishing-water, called the Trout-pool,
on the bank of which Clinton himself had discovered
Jane. The bark in which he was, when he first saw her,
had been a little in advance of the others, and as he
was raising the spear in his hand to strike one of the
fish which were gathered around his boat, attracted by
the lights hung out, the appearance of a female figure
sitting by the edge of the water, close at hand, startled

I-

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

him. He rowed to tlie bank, and her plaintive entreaties
for succour became audible to his ear. In the other
boats were the settler and his sons, and these, being
summoned near, unanimously agreed to take her directly
to the nearest house, which was that of farmer Joshua.
It was done ; and after Jane had a little recovered from
the effects of her long and trying journey, she was per-
mitted to remain in the farm, on condition that she would
assist the females in the labours of the interior. Clinton
pointed out the exact spot where he had first seen her,
and described these particulars to the pastor, who was
much interested in the recital, and wished that he had
spoken to her on his recent visit.

Their route was toward the chain of hills or mountains
which Ijnunded the broad valley on the south and south-
west. The sun was setting in the horizon behind the
most remote of these elevations, and coloured, with the
most splendid tints, the light vapours which played about
tiiem, ;vhile the great plain of the sky was softening into
evening's milder hues. The atmosphere was delightful ;
the sod soft and green ; and the groves which opened
before them, seemed " for contemplation formed.",'

At length they struck into a pine-wood, where trees,
most of whom age had overthrown, lay embedded in the
soil, and formed a natural road a quarter of a mile in
length, all superfluous branches and bushes having been
cut away, and the interstices between the fallen logs filled
up, by the care of the pastor's grandson. The way nar-
rowed beyond this, and became dim and uneven — it had
been left so by the taste of Arthur Lee, who had per-
mitted the feathery evergreens to grow here without
pruning, and the yellow-pines to overshadow the ascend-

! >

i^ilt.,

f i

■¥ ''

, 1 ' ■•

i ■'!

i ill

'!•!

^ it

THK CANADIAN GIRL.

ing ground in their native majesty. A spring of water,
like crystal, murmured pleasantly along by the feet of the
travellers; and the cooing of the American wild-dove
was heard at intervals. The pastor pointed out to his
young companion a pair of these birds, which were
perched on the top of a tall larch tree. Clinton stepped
backwards, and viewed them with admiration as thoy were
defined against the western sky, which showed to advan-
tage their delicate forms, their rich azure down, and the
tints of green, crimson, and gold, which, with every motion
they made, were seen to variegate their breasts and

wings.

■ The ground rose steeper, and the sweet scents of a
garden and orchard mingled upon the air. " I can smell,"
said Clinton, " some of the fruits of England, and could
almost fancy that I were now approaching one of her
happy, rural cottages."

The pastor looked surprised: "England! have you
been in England T'

Clinton wouM have corrected himself, but the pastor
added, " I now /mow you are a countryman of mine — I
feel convinced of it !"

" I am," said Clinton : " but — as my friends there —
move rather in an — elevated circle — I had not wished — "

" Say not a word more," said the pastor : " when you
are disposed to give me your confidence freely, I will re-
ceive it; in tlic meant'me I bid you welcome to my little
domain, for we are now on the borders of it."

The conversation that had taken place between the
pastor and Clinton since they left the farm, had been so
interesting ard various, that it had served very much to
familiarise them with each other. The pastor was na-

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

turally of an unsuspicious temper ; and the easy, fasci-
nating talk of the young man, abounding with sentiment
and poetry, charmed him insensibly ; although he re-
gretted to perceive that he was tinctured with modern
scepticism.

A turn led them to the outskirts of the orchard, which
was spread over the declivity of a dell, and abounded
with the fruits of Europe. Clinton expressed in lively
terms his admiration of the scenery, and the pastor's
eye ranged around with blameless pride and pleasure.
Althoutrh nijiht was just setting in, vet the briohtness of
the sky, and the purity of the air, occasioned all objects
to api)car distinctly defined, the shadows only investing
them with a softness and solemnity peculiarly captivating
to the imagination.

The house stoo<l surrounded by a garden at the bottom
of the doll, its glistening white walls contrasted with the
dark groves that clothed the hill lacing the orchard. On
the riglit, a descent of water, over a precipice, fell into a
circular basin, when' it foamed along the ground in a
deep, but narrow channel, about a hundred yards from
the house, and at a little distance was employed to turn
a picturesque mill.

An irregular path conducted from the elevated spot,
where now stood the pastor and Clinton, to the door of
the house, first passing down a slope of the dell, through
the midst of the orchard, and then through the garden.

" This is a very wilderness of sweets," observed Clin-
ton, as he began to descend.

" Stop !" exclaimed the pastor ; " my grandchildren
are near. Haik! that is Lucy. They are very happy
you hear, Mr. Clinton."

THE CANADIAN GIRL,

The clear, ringing laugh of a youthful female came
upon Clinton's ear ; it sounded from within the recesses
ofthe orchard on his right, and while he looked that way,
the pastor elevated his voice, and called aloud the names
of Arthur and Lucy.

He was directly joined by the delighted brother and
sister, who welcomed him home In the most affectionate
manner. The stranger was then introduced, and in a few
minutes the little party moved toward the house on the
most cordial terms.

But the innocent gaiety, the uncorrupted bliss, of these
attached relatives, had the immediate effect of saddening
Clinton ; therefore perceiving that they had many ques-
tions to ask and answer, which were of no interest to him.
he availodhimself of the opportunity, slackened his steps,
followed more slowly, and gave the reins to his thick-
coming fancies,

Arthur presently noticing his being considerably be-
hind, turned back to him, and the pastor and the young
lady stood still in the garden until both came up with
them again. A seat of curled-maple, within a summer-
house, was approached, and the four sat down on it, while
the pastor related to his grandchildren the occurrence
which'had been the means of separating Clinton from
farmer Joshua, on hearing which, they expressed a gene-
rous indignation and sympathy.

Clinton, while the pastor was speaking, employed him-
self in mentally painting the characters of the persons
among whom his lot was thus unexpectedly cast.

The young lady was about the age of eighteen, her
brother, a few years older : their English dress was neat
and unpretending ; their countenances beamed with in-

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

telligence and virtue, health and happiness; and it' we
would draw the summary of Clinton's conclusions con-
cerning them, it would bo this — that they knew little or
nothing of the actual world, but inhabited a hemisphere
of their own creation — a pure, a bright one — teeming
with truth and joy. Lucy realised Wordsworth's de-
scription —

" She dwelt among the untrodden ways,
Beside the springs of Dove,
A maid whom there were none to praise,
And very few to love.

" A violet by a mossy stone,
Half hidden from the eye ,
A sinfile star, when only one,
Is shining in the sky."

-vt

.- I

THE CANADIAN GIRL,

CHAPTER IV.

" Hear my soul spoak ; —
The very instant that I saw you, did
My heart fly to your service ; there resides.
To make me slave to it ; and for your sake
Ami thus patient." — Shakspcare.

" And I, of ladies most deject and wretched,
That suck'd the honey of his music vows." — Shakrpenr;.

Clinton was not the only stranger introduced about
this time into the pastor's abode. Jane Anderson, the
Pirate's daujjliter, was fortunate enough to be taken
from the farm of the settler by Lucy, to assist in the
household affairs of the isolated lodge ; and as Arthur
Lee became attached to Clinton, so did Lucy to Jane.
Often was the Pirate's daughter reminded here of her
former residence with Madame Barry, and she loved
nothing better than to talk of her to her voung friend
and mistress, and to describe her looks, her dress, and
her discourse, But her father she never could be induced
to speak of If asked concerning him, she sighed ; a kind
jf horror was in her eye, and she '.vonld be ruelancholy
for hours after. Clinton, also, if interrogated on his
early life, if asked to converse about his former iriends

THE CANADIAN Gllll..

iktpenr t.

iduced about
ndersoii, the
to be taken
assist in the
id as Arthur
ucv to Jane.

here of lier
d she loved
k ounfT friend
r dress, and
1 be induced
hed ; a kind

ruelancholy
^ated on his
rroer i'riends

and associates, looked as if suffering hidden pa ^s, the
nature of which were not explained. Thus a mystery
hunff over them both. But still thev advanced in the
lavour and confidence of the pastor, and in the esteem of
his grandchildren.

The employments of Clinton chiefly confined him to
the pastor's study, where he transcribed sermons, letters,
and law papers ; kept the book of general expenses and
receipts ; and assisted his patron to turn over the solid
tomes which burdened the shelves, in search of choice
passages on topics of religion, philosophy, or judicature.
In addition to this, he was a valuable assistant to Arthur,
with respect to agricultural subjects, having so excellent
a memory, that he could bring forward, when necessary,
quotations from writers of authority, to elucidate any
particular branch of the art, and could point to the very
book, and chapter, if not to the page, in which any in-
formation required could be obtained. And though he
had appeared to take so little interest in the Airming
concerns of farmer Joshua, yet, while u i ler the settler's
roof, he had not failed to acquire a gre^.t deal of know-
ledge as to the best means of raising crops of all kinds,
and had made himself expert in the Canadian arts of
spearing fish, of hunting and trapping animals, both lam^e
and small, and of shootiufr birds.

His earliest morning, and his latest evening hours,
were devoted to Lucy. Her favourite walks and seats in
the dell he decorated with considerable taste ; his turn
for poetry was cultivated for her amusement ; and as he
had a fine mellow voice, and she was rapturously partial
to singing, he practised this accomplishment too. There
was an old guitar in the house, which had not been played

'■4 » »

THF. CANAOrAN GIHL.

! »

Tipon for years, Clinton put it in order, and found that it
was really a very superior instrument ; he iiad once taken
lessons from a professor of the guitar in the English
metropolis, and now he turned them to account, so that
shortly many a tender air won the ear of Lucy, at hours
iKOst favourable to such sounds — the beginning and de-
cline of dav.

He had some acquaintance with botany, mineralogy,
and other ornamental sciences, which he now brought
forth to the light. His knowledge on these, and all other
abstract subjects, was very superficial — but Lucy did not
perceive that. She admired his classification of the
plants and flowers which he gathered in her walks; and,
while he was never wearied of drying them, and ar-
ranging theni in her cabinet, she took pleasure in pro-
nouncing the hard Latin names for the different parts of
each /air production, which he had taught he^

Insects, she was too humane to kill by the barbarous
metliod of impaling with pins, which Clinton recommended
as the practice of some European ladies, who esteemed
themselves for fine feelings; but Lucy gratified her cu-
riosity more guiltlessl}', and more perfectly, too, by ob-
serving the fragile creatures in their pleasant haunts,
possessed of freedom and life, sunning their gauze wings
bedecked with splendid colours, and humming aloud with
joy as they pursued their airy sports, among countless
myriads of their kind.

When Clinton was with her, he acted as the interpreter
of her observations on them. Theories recardingf the
cause of the colours thev exhibited, he set before iier in
the most pleasing light. He endeavoured to make her
sensible of the wonders which the misroscope was able

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

to reveal in their minute bodies : he narrated anecdotes
of their habits, of their governments, of the changes they
assumed. The military mancouvres of the ant, the mo-
narchical empire of the bees, the transformation of the
chrysalis to the butterfly, and similar ivonders of the in-
sect world, were his delightful themes.

He gave such names as Lucy approved to all the most
beautiful parts of the scenery around the house. The
basin of the cascade, was called the Marble Fountain — iti
diverging channel, the Milky Way — (alluding to the
colour of the rapid current, which, being pent vithin
confined boundaries, became white as milk under the
concentration of its force) — the dell itself was called the
Happy Valley, (in reference to Dr. Johnson's prose poem
of " Kasselas," which was a favourite book of the young
lady.) A slight bridge was thrown over the Milky Way
by the mill, and just behind, a path wound up the front
of a steep and L"^M rock, to a commanding situation,
where Clinton constructed a couch and table of branches
and moss, and at the edge of the precipice, pile* ' a low
wall of stones covered with sod — this spot was designated
Lucy's Observatory ; and here the guileless girl listened
to the musical tongue of the designing Clinton, when he
pointed out the planets and the fixed stars — explained
the nightly changes in the heavens — the moon's relation
to the earth — and the true nature of planetary systems ;
and when, gradually raising her imagination, he repeate«l
the suppositions of noted astronomers regarding those
immense tracts of the universe which seem unpeopled
and in darkness, and those tracts, which, on the contrary,
are not only strewn thick with innumerable stars or suns,
each the blazing centre of revolving worlds, but also dis-

Tim rAMATilAN OIRf..

' !l

J i\

i ,
11

play misty appearances of liglit (called nebula), w) ich it
is supposed form the material uf which worlds are com-
posed.

Arthur's Seat was a noble crag about half way u) a
mountain, so named, because, when reached from the
yellow-piiio walk above the valley, it uflbrded an admi-
rable bird's-eye view of all the land which Arthur Loo
had cultivated. It was a sublime pinnacle ; overhanging
rocks above, and a tremendous precipice below, inspired
the heart with fearful emotions, yet the prospect would
have lured thither oven the most timid. The dell was
sweetly pictured at the mountain's foot, with its bright
streams, its cascade, its smiling enclosures of Indian
corn, fruit, and flowers. From this remarkable crag was
seen on the right, rising ground, clothed with trees, that
nodded their majestic tops to every wind ; on the left,
the gentle ascent was odoriferous with fruit-trees ; and
opposite to the spectator was reared a rugged elevation
of granite, (yielding in point of grandeur only to Ar-
thur's Seat,) bearing Lucy's Observatory, raised on its
front, at a comparatively small height above the level of
tlie ground. Thus was the Happy Valley shut in by
hills ; and on whatever side it was viewed, apjieared com-
bining sublimity with beauty, romantic wildncss with
rural simplicity.

The house was small but convenient, tvith an oven-
house, and sheds for the cattle, adjoining it. As the
polished windows became yellowed with the evening or
morning sunbeams, stages of geraniums, myrtles, musk,
and lemon -plants, reared against the walls, were watered
by the gentle Lucy, and rewarded her for the nourish-
ment imparted, by a richer fragrance, and by morft

THE CANADIAN OIRL. ip

charming tints. Nor was tho humbler, but tlolightful
mignionotte, witli other plants, overlooked, but all alike
rejoiced under the grateful moisture her hand distributed.
Next, she fed her fowls, and after that arranged tho do-
mestic operations of the day.

Jane was very serious, and always scorned to bo full
of thought. The pastor took a growii _; interest in her,
and sometimes endeavoured to load her into religious
conversation, bnt she was so excessively humble that ho
could scarcely draw anything from her. Ho observed
that at family prayers she seemed usually much affectea,
and sometimes he found her sitting by the marble foun-
tain in tears, reading the Scriptures. She perused all
the memoirs of pious individuals that the house afforded ;
she gathered from Lucy and Arthur all the examples of
living persons worthily professing religion, which their
memory could supply, and especially sought accounts of
such persons as had ventured much, and sufTerod much,
for the sake of doing good.

In the affections she was tho same. Lukewarm feel-
ings had no part in her ; and yet she was not at all of
that sort of character to be termed impassioned or en-
thusiastic; certainly it would be difficult to draw tho
line which separated her from those, but it was to bo
drawn. She was meek in the highest degree, of simple
manners, and absolutely impenetrable to provocation.
Filial devotedness was the virtue which she most loved
to hear of, and any story illustrative of this virtue seemed
to open all the springs of her heart. She embraced the
doctrine that love, oixcefixed^ should not be removed on
account of any guilt in tho object, but should be steady,
unchangeable, immortal ; " /or," said she to Lucy,

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

*' oth3rwise 'love has no grandeur, no dignity, and Ui un-
wortliy of the praises bestowed upon it."

" I think," said Arthur, who was sitting by her side
on this occasion, " that when the object of affection ceases
to bt} worthy, our love should cease."

" If it does cease," said Jane, " call it not love — call
it by some other name. Esteem may cease — respect
may cease ; — ^but true, unadulterated love — never."

" What would be the result of that principle upon the
morals of communities ?" asked Artliur.

" What would be the result '" she repeated : " hap-
piness — peace — these would be the result at last. Did
you ever know any thing but love, reform the bad 1
Who are the bad, but people who do not, cannot, love
truly, any but themselves ? Evil, is selfishness ! — take
away selfishness, all would be happy. And can indif-
ference, dislike, proud contempt, and hard reproaches,
ever subdue one grain of selfishness ? No — no ; L n^. love
every day will soften it, and subdue it."

Arthur meditated, gazing upon her countenance, which
was sufiused with blushes for the ardour with which she
had expressed herself; her eyes were cast down, and she
pressed the hand of Lucy, which lay upon her lap, as if
entreating pardon for her boldness. There was another
person on whom her words made much impression —
Clinton — yihota eye sparkled with ill-concealed pleasure
as he persuaded himself her heart was secretly inclined
to him ; and rejoiced that whatever she might eventually
discover to his prejudice, would not destroy his power
over her. But he greatly deceived himself: Jane thought
only of her father, who was the sole object of her solici-
tude. Xhe dangerous interest she had at first- uken In

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

Clinton, had subsided ; particularly ,'ts his attentions to
Lucy appeared to her .»o unequivocal, and as she was
aware that the latter had already fixed her aflfections on
him beyond the possibility of recall.

Of Lucy's prepossession for him, unfortunately, Clinton
was aware, for she was too artless to conceal it entirely.
He continued his tender attentions to her, omitting no
means for fixing her attachment, except that of a posi-
tive declaration, which he guardedly avoided.

On this day he reclined by her side, after having
amused her with some of her favourite strains : the guitar
upon which he had played wb.. on her knee, and every
now and then he whispered to her, and touched the
strings with gaiety.

" Leave them to finish their dfibates, Lucy," said he,
in a low, bland voice, bending his head toward Arthur
and Jane, who still continued to converse, ** and let us
go to the spice-wood thicket in search of some specimens
of those plants I told you of yesterday."

** O go, sister, go !" cried Arthur ; " we can very well
spare you both. — I have something particUar to say to
Jane."

" No doubt," said Clinton, afiecting to laugh, but
inwardly chafed.

Lucy pressed the hand of Jane ; an open basket of
roots and wild-flowers hung on her arm, which Clinton
transferred to his own, taking the guitar also, and then
agreed with Arthur and Jane to meet them at Arthur's
Seat in a half an hour. Arthur, with a thoughtful and
anxious look, watched them slowly ascend to the top of
the orchard, where they stopped a moment, and smilingly
waved their hands to him. As soon as they were out of

f ! ::;i

THU CANADIAN GIRL.

1^1

sight, Jane would have returned at once to the house,
but Arthur gently detained her.

" Stay a kvt minutes," said he : "I have for some
time sought a private conversation with you, and I must
not lose the present opportunity. How long have you
And Clinton been here, Jane ?"

" Two years this month,'* she answered, and sigheU
abstractedly. • . .'

" Do I mistake the mc&ning of that sigh ?" said he j
" Are you not wearied of the Happy Valley ?" ; '

"Wearied!" she repeated, half unconscious of her
words : " Oh no— not wearied ; if I could only hear some-
thing of my father I should not wish to leave it ; but — "

"Go on," he said.

** I have said too much," she cried. " Let me go, I
beg of you!"

" You shall not go, Jane," said Arthur, "until I know
from your own lips whether you will be my wife or no."

Jane turned away from him with confusion and sur«
prise. He followed her, and said, "■* I have not the ac-
complishments of Clinton, or I would have wooed you
differently ; but if you will accept a plain offer from a
plain man, Jane, as you are a sensible girl, say so ? I
have already spoken to my grandfather, and you must
not think that our engagement would want his favour.
He only wishes for the true happiness of my sister and
myself ; and I have his own authority for saying, that he
b«?lieves you, dearest Jane, can, if you will, make me
permanently happy for the rest of my life." ;

Jane was distressed : she seemed to wish to say some-
lliing of moment, but checked herself. She was not
totally indifferent to his suit, yet her demeanour forbad

THE CANADIAN 01 RL.

him to hoi>n. After a brief silence Arthur -esumect :—
** Since the first time I saw you I have been attracted
toward you : I have !^atched closely your conduct, your
habitsj your sentiments, your principles. You will not
think me bold when I say you have improved essentially
in all these since you came here, especially during the
last year. I am sure you will make such a wife as lean
repose my heart upon ; such an one, as I can truly
cherish, because I can truly honour her."

" I am poor," said Jane ; " I have nothing — ^not even
any relatives, which the most wretched persons have."

" What vio you say, Jane !" — exclaimed Arthur.—
" Have you njt a father, and a brother?"

" Yes, I believe I have," answered she ; " but all
the time I have been here, I have heard nothing of my
father, and ray brother I never saw. My mother took
him to England with her, when he was very young, and
there left him at school, under the care of her father's
friends. She returned to Canada, where she died, whilst
I was an infant ; her remains lie at Quebec ; I have seen
her grave, and mourned over it."

" And where is your father ?" asked Arthur. " I will
see him, and ask his consent to our union. I love a
filial spirit : I would not marry you, Jane, until I had
paid him the honour, which in such a case is due to
him."

" I know your principles, sir," said Jane, " and 1
cannot tell you how much I respect them ; — but oh ! my
father is — "

• = She broke off, and was much agitated. Arthur was
;uuch affected, and, forgetting self, he exclaimed, catch-
ing her hand to his heart, " Dear, dear Jane, end this

; 1

i' i

THE CANADIAN OTIIL.

^ ]

\ I

il'iflf

I'ffai

mystery. Put confidence in me. Tell me what your
father is. Tell me why you are always so disturbed when
he is named ; and if to serve you, I am even required to
give up my fondest hopes, I will pledge myself to do it"

" I do need a friend," said Jane, weeping ; " and if
this promise of yours is sincere, and sacred — "

** Both sincere and sacred, rely upon it, Jane," cried
Arthur ; " and my word was never yet broken to man
or woman."

** Remember," said Jane, after a painful hesitation,
** to what you pledge yourself. — You will serve me in
regard to my father, though even to the loss of — ^your
hopes ?"

" I will," he cried firmly ; " not but I think you will
require less for pity's sake."

** Perhaps I may — perhaps I may not," said Jane :
** however, Arthur, I will tell you all, if you will keep
my secret"

" I promise you this, too I" cried Arthur.

" I will not ask you, when you have heard my story,
to pity the poor Canadiaii Oirl," she. said, " nor to re-
frain from visiting upon her head, her father's sins. I
know you will pity me. I know you will not blame me."

*' Blame you, Jane 1" ejaculated Arthur.

*' Hush, until I have told my story," said Jane, then
sitting down on the side of the little bridge by the loill,
she began thus : —

" My mother was bom in England, she was the
daughter of a country clergyman, and in opposition to
her father's entreaties and arguments, as I have heard,
married the mate of a North Ame ican vessel, and
came out with him to the Canadas, where his parents

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

knii friends lived. After a few years she became verj
ttahappy, and determined to return to England to her
father's house.

" As I before told you, she fulfilled this design, taking
triy brother with her, but, when she arrived at the par-
sonage where her early years had been spent, what was
her disappointment and grief to find a stranger filling her
father's place ; and what was her astonishment tu learn,
that having had an annui y of four hundred pounds a
year bequeathed to him, he had sold his houses and fur-
niture, and was gone out with the money to the very
country from which she had just returned, in order to
settle there permanently. My poor mother then sought
out the residence of her only sister, who was much her
senior in years, and who had been married early in life
to a worthy gentleman of small fortune, with her father's
consent, but my aunt was dead ; and this fresh sorrow
almost overwhelmed my mother.

" Her sister's husband was also dead, and some dis-
tant relations only were left to her. These persons, being
in excellent circumstances, treated her kindly, and un-
dertook to educate and provide for my brother if she
would leave him ; it cost her much suffering, but she
acquiescedj and being almost penniless was compelled to
accept from them the means by which to pay for her own
voyage back to Canada, whither she returned, broken in
spirits, with decaying health, and with no more money
than would just maintain her a month."

Jane stopped, and her eyes flowed with tears for her
mother's sorrows ; while Arthur listened with profound
attention, and with the kindest pity. -'She proceeded : —

" I cannot remember my mother ; but I know that I

THK CANADIAN GIRL.

■|_tL

: !

liave inherited her principal f?iief, which was this — that
she was devoted by duty and affection to an erring man,
her husband, and my father. Yes, 1 have inherited her
grief, but with this difference — he deserted her, and I
have been compelled to desert him. For several years
I was with him on board the Antelope, that very vesse.
in which Clinton tells us he was wrecked, and in which
he lost his property. During its last voyage only, I was
on shore, and when I again found my father, he was
captain of a pirate cruiser." Here she spread her hands
over her face, and sobbed vehemently. Arthur was
startled, and it cannot be denied that his heart misgave
him at the thought of uniting himself to the daughter of
a proscribed ruffian. Walking up and down the bridge,
he was at first incapable of consoling her, but after the
first shock was over, made full amends by the judicious
and ffeling manner with which he pressed her to un-
burden her mind without reserve, and to roiy on his se-
cresy and counsel.

" My father was always kind to me,'' she resumed,
" and took much care of me, although he would not al-
low me to leave him. In all weathers, during whatever
peril, I was retained in his ship, so long as he was in it."

•' What!" exclaimed Arthur " in a pirate's ship! —
among a lawless band ! He must have taken great care
of you, indeed — very great. To retain a young girl in
such a situation, under such circumstances, for years —
that was an evidence of his care of you, was it not ?"

Jane was silent ; and he again paced the bridge dis-
quieted, then stopping abruptly, said—" And this is true,
Jane, that you were kept in a piratical vessel by your
father for — how long ?"

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

liis—that
ing man,
rited her
r, and 1
ral years
ry vesse.
in which
ily, I was
, he was
ler hands
thur was
t misgave
jghter of
he bridge,
after the
judicious
3r to un-
»n his se-

resumed,
Id not al-
<; whatever
vas in it."
*s ship! —
nrreat care
ng girl in
»r years —

not?"
)ridge dis-
:his is true,
el by your

" About tVTec years," said Jane, with a shudder.
Arthur was transported with indignation.

" He must have been a villain indeed !" cried he.
'* Bless me, to what has he exposed you ! This was
worse than all his other crimes, of however deep a dye
they might have been ! An innocent, sensitive being
like you, three years among a pirate horde! — Good
heavens ! I could not have believed it had t/ou not said
it. I could not imagine that a man could have existed
so insensible to the proper feelings of a father, however,
in other respects, he might be depraved. For my own
part this is what I never could pardon."

Jane saw that he was yet greatly disturbed, and knew
not how to abate the storm she had raised. " O father,
father !" she exclaimed mentally, " how much I may
yet have to suffer for your errors !" In her excitement
she wrung her hands, and longed to die.

" Go on Jane — I implore you tell me all!" said Ar-
thur, sitting by her with a gloomy countenance. " How
did you get away from this father who vook so much
care of you ?" His ironical tone increased her pain, and
some minutes passed before she was able to proceed, du-
ring which, Arthur said not a word to her. - : •

" My father at one time haa," she said, " a pretty
cabin fitted up for me within his own, there I had every
thing necessary for my use, and not a week passed without
his bringing me some present; — sometimes pieces of cot-
ton or muslin, silk or velvet ; sometimer beads, hand-
kerchiefs, shawls, or trinkets. — "

" Plundered, I suppose," quickly interrupted Arthur.
Jane was humbled to the dust — pang was succeeding
pang — but she went on :~" An old sailor, old Tobv, ac

,,. 'Mi

I I ■

'^i

i*m

h 1*

■i

THB O.NADIAN GIRL.

he was called, or else my father, constantly kept guard,
a. it were, so that my cal5n could not be approached by
any but themselves. A negro woman was brought on
board to attend on me, and I only went on deck at par-
ticular times \vhen my father was with me, and then there
were seldom more than one or two men about. I am
sure I knew little more of what was going forward in the
vessel than if I had been on shore, and it was many
months before I discovered the true character of the
cruiser. When I did, I was very much frighiened, and
not without reason, for presently after, occurred more
than one fight between the crew of the Vulture, my fa-
ther's vessel, and the crew of a ship he had attacked."

" The Vulture ?" cried Arthur. " I have heard of a
pirate-vessel by that name — but I interrupt you."

" The noise of the guns," she continued, " of the shrill
winds in the sails and cordage — of the splitting of the
masts — of the giving and receiving of orders for firing —
and of the loud, impatient tramp of my father's fe. t on
the planks over my head — 1 can tliiik I hear now. It
was after the second of these dreadful conflicts, that an
old missionary, who had travelled many thousands of
miles to spread the knowledge of his belief, and had un-
dergone great hardbhips, and passed through «•. number-
less successio a of dangers, was brought from the conquered
ship, in which he had been been sailing across Lake Su-
perior, and with several persons, whom I did not see,
confined in the cruiser. This remarkable old man, during
a heavy gale, heard my screams, and in the confusion of
the time, v.as allowed to pass into my cabin, where 1 sat
on the ground almost beside mysself with fear. I think,
Arthur: I never can forget tnat old man ! — his composed.

THE CANADIAN CIRL.

t guard,
ached by
(Ught on
k at par-
lien there
t. I am
rd in the
IS many
T of the
ned, and
ed more
, my ra-
cked."
;ard of a

[he shrill
g of the
firing —
! fe\ t on
now. It
that an
sands of
had un-
number-
nquered
ake Su-
Qot see,
, during
:usion of
!re 1 sat
I think,
mposed,

ills collected manner, the solemnity of his remarks, and
the hope, which even at such a moment, when an unex-
^>ected death appalled the stoutest-hearted, beamed in
his eye. He soothed me, taught me, begged me to be re-
signed to my Maker's will, and repeated sublime verses
from the worn Bible he carried wi*h him, addressing me
in the name of God. The Scriptures I had never before
thought of, and his quotations from them affected me in
such a manner as I cannot describe ; it was as if, in the
midst of the wild roar of the elements, I had seen a glo-
rious angel, who, lifting me from the horrors of the deep,
gave me assurance of safety, and ba^*? me be in peace.
The storm over, the old man still obtained access to me
occasionally, and every time he came he taught me more
of myself, the world, and eternity.

" One day he was standing on the deck, looking over
the edge of the vessel, and speaking to a fellow captive,
when, by some false movement, as he all at once turned
his head, he was precipitated into the lake ; his last words
were * Friend — go hence ;' and the sailor to whom he
had been addressing himself when he was drowned, never
forgot them ; he left off his bad habits, and, after being
the ridicule of the rest of the crew for some time, went
on shore, parted from the Vulture finally, and from all
belonging to it, an'', settled at the bay, which lies about
forty miles from this valley, in an honest way of life as a
fisherman.

" The Pirate's crew, some time after, mutinied against
him, and against three men next in command, and set the
holds on fire, after securing to themselves the boats, filled
with the riches of the vessel ; but my father, who had been
partly aware of the stratagem, and had been taking mea-

II'

iiiip

1 !

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

sures to prevent its success, immediately secureil llio
principal ortenders, whereupon the rest yielded without
making any opposition. When the flames began to as-
cend he was horror-struck, but instantly manned the
boats with those seamen who had adhered to him. These
were for pushing oiF in haste, when 1 flew upon deck
shrieking. There I saw the most liorrible spectacle that
you could imagine. The mutivieers were left to perish
in the fire they had kindled. They prayed, they cursed.
Some struggling in mad desperation, <j;ot loose. One of
these jumped into the lake ; one ran up the rope-ladders
and fell headlong from a mast ; one darted up and down
the deck amidst the eddying smoke ; two others grovelled
on their knees, shouting to the men in the boats for
mercy, but they would not listen to them; and the rest
of the mutineers, who were still bound, with shocking
oaths defied God and man.

" I can recall all this ; I can see the rising flames, and
hear the awful clamour, then around me; I can see the
boats rising and sinking on the waves but a few yards off*;
and can distinguish my father standing in the centre of
one, holding two pistols, and threatening to shoot the
seamen with him, if they would not return to the edge of
the sinking Vulture to save me — but what occurred after
that is all a blank — I felt dizzy, and instantly became
insensible.

" The next day I found myself in a neat bed in a cot-
tage, tended by the good-natured wile of the fisherman
who had formerly sailed among the })irates of the Vul-
ture. He had been fishing at a long distance from the
Ottawa, having crossed Lake Nipissing, and the French
lliver, to Lake Huron^ when a small blazc>, in the distant

THE (ANAUIAN Oi](I.

cureil llio
3(1 witiiout
Tan to as-
iinnetl tho
m. Theso
ipon deck
:taclo that
, to perish
ey cursed.
!. Que of
pe-ladders
and down
firovelled

boats for
id tho rest

shocking

[aincs, and
m SCO the
yards oflT;
centre of
shoot the
lie edge of
jrred after
ly became

I in a cot-
fisherman
• the Vul-
5 from the
he French
.he distant

Horizon of Huron, informed him of a ship on fire.
Jacques, for that was the fisherman's name, immediately
went out to the assistance of the vessel, and had nearly
reached it, when it went down stern-foremost, hissing and
roaring, in one unbroken sheet of fiame, until the waters
closed above it.

" Jacques was going to return, melancholy enough, to
the shore, when he saw a drowninsr sailor clinorinsr to a
plank with one arm, and with the other, supporting the
body of a senseless girl. From Jacques' description I
thi«k this sailor must have been Toby, the old mariner
whom I have remembered ever since my infancy. How
he had taken me from the burning ship I cannot tell ;
when last I saw him he was in one of the boats. A strono-
billow bore away the plank, and the sailor with it, a
counter wave sweeping the figure he had held in a con-
trary direction, close by the fishing-boat. Jacques suc-
ceeded in rescuing me from the waters, sailed back to
the shore, and gave me into thu ,,] ige of his wife. By
these kind persons I was conveyed with care on the water
to the bay where they dwelt. I remained with them for
several weeks, until my father found out my place of
refuge, and would have induced me to trust myself a^^ain
with him in another pirate vessel, which he had by some
means obtained, but I could not— dismay seized me at
the thought. He then said he must compel me ; but
still his manner was kind."

'* Very kind !" muttered Arthur.

" Greatly distressed, I consulted with the wife of
Jacques. She advised me to hire myself in some farm, of
the district under Pastor Wilson. The idea pleased me,
and I set my mind upon it, but I had no fit clothino- in

t4p-

f •'

ih :'\»

III

I'll

THE ( AVADIAN fimi..

vvhicli to prosout mysolf for liiro; tlio dress wliicli I liad
on when the sliij) wont down was all my stock, and that
was spoiled. Jii this dilcintna tho fisherman's wife of-
fered, poor as she was, to divide her scanty wardrobe
with me. I hecatno then qtiito hopeful of my future
prospects. Jacques, with unaffected jrood will, imdertook
to guide me through tho woods to the most likely settle-
ment, accompanied by his wife's father, who had somo
knowledge of the persons by whom I hoped to bo hired.

" Tho next morning early, as I was dressing, thinking
of my journey, anticipating, and pre|mring for, the ques-
tions that might bo put to me when I should roach the
farm, I overheard my father and his second mate speaking
beneath tho window. All without and within the house
was so quiet, that I could easily hear their words. A
serious alarm obliged them to prepare for flight from this
part of America ; one of the mutineers had been saved,
and had given testimony against Ca{)tain Anderson, so
that the lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada had set a
price upon the Pirate's life."

" Then it is as I thought," said Arthur, " this is tho
same renegade whom my grandfather has long been com-
missioned to take prisoner. But proceed."

" I next heard my father express doubts of Jacques,
notwithstanding the latter had made oath on board the
Vulture never to impugn any of those individuals with
whom he had been connected. My father then gave
direetions to his mate to remove me, by force if necessary,
from the cottage to the ship. I staid to hear no more.
Forgetting every thing but my new hopes and my former
danger, I stole in great agitation down stairs, and pas'-
sing out by a back door, ran along a road which led to

TUB CANADIAN GlIIL.

the interior country, leaving behind me all my little stock
of apparel which had been given me, with my bonnet
and shoes. I lingered near the bay for an hour in hopea
of seeing either Jacques, his wife, or some one of her
relatives, but as this expectation died off, I became reso-
lute to fear nothing, and to go on my journey as 1 was,
alone. Seeing a barefoot and bareheaded Irish girl
singing along under the trees, I was inspirited by her
example, and having slept through the warm night, con-
cealed in a heap of hay, set off by daylight, my heart
being so fixed upon the end I had in view, that the diffi-
culties of the way seemed light."

" You surprise me, my dear Jane !'* said Arthur ;
" you must have great strength of character hid under
that seeming passiveness we see in your manners. Poor
girl ! what a variety of trying adventures she has passed
through ! But you may comfort yourself now, Jane, with
the thought that they are passed. And so," he added,
sitting down by her side, and taking her hand, " banish
these clouds from your face — smile as I have never yet
seen you smile — cast your eyw round on your own
Happy Valley — and toward yon house, which is to be
your riglitful home. See, Jane, how luxuriant and
beautiful every thing is about us ; and you behold no-
thing that shall rot belong to you. It has been my own
resources — my own thought — my own hands — which have
cultivated these slopes, which have built the lodge, the
mill, and this bridge ; therefore I can say to you — they
are your own. But, ray dear, I hope you will not object
to my grandfather and my sister Lucy remaining with us
in the same lodge, at least until I have time to construct
another.'*

^N'

Is 1

11-

THK CAXAUlAiN OIRL.

" Arthur," said Jane, without withdrawing her hand,
" I came hither a poor, desolite girl, and yet you would
give nie your affection : I have told you that I am the
daughter of a man to whom the laws have affixed infamy
— and still you will not takeaway your regard from me*
I am neither beautiful, nor learned, witty, nor rich — but
you make up your mind to press upon me the acceptance
of your hand. You have asked from me a ])lain answer,
I will give it to you. I never yet did love any one, not
oven yourself, so well as I have loved my miserable
father." She wept violently, then checking herself, cou-
tinued, " that is the sincere truth, and I hope [ do not
pain you when I say it."

" Not pain me !" exclaimed Arthur. " Love a father
like that!"

" No," she cried, " not pain you — for you should not
suffer yourself to be pained by it. I may — I think I shall
— one day — perhaps — regard you exclusively — better
than all the world beside — but that cannot be while my
father lives, unless he should be brought out of his present
way of life, and be seen living virtuously before the world
and heaven."

*' This is enthusiasm, Jane ; you cannot seriously
mean what you say. You will not so sacrifice me to mere
imaginary dreams that may never be realised ? For ah,
my dear girl ! you know little of ^ ) true character of
mankind — how difficult, nay, how almost .iiipossiblc, it
is, to bring about any thorough reformation in men who
have been Ijng habituated to vice. Beside, only con-
sider, you have no means to put in operation for such a
puq>ose." . '

" I kno-y I have not," said Jane, looking, however,

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

.no lass determined. " I know I must wait, perhaps long,
before I can — "

" I will tell you what I think is the case, now, Jane ;
you really think you never shall esteem me, and you are
anxious to rid yourself of my suit — perhaps you may have
loved sorao other person — perhaps may love him still."

Jane arose as he was speaking, and walked forward
beyond the bridge. Arthur followed her.

" You are every way my superior," said she ; " but
you should think that though I am lowly, I am yet not
capable of deceiving you by false hopes. To set the
matter entirely at rest, Arthur, hear nie say, I never
will unite myself to any but you."

*' Thanks, dear, dear, Jane ! — unmeasured thanks !*'

" But, though I will keep this engagement, believe
me, I will also keep the other. My father is first — Ar-
thur second ; — never forget that. A time, as I said,
may come, whan you will be first, and all the wotld
beside, secondary." • ' ' '

" Hasten that time, for pity's sake, Jane !'*

They shortly ascended to Arthur's Seat, and finding
that Clinton and his charge were not yet arrived, sat
down to wait for them, conversing together with more
freedom and cheerfulness than before. They six>ke with
confidence to each other, and Arthur mentioned the at-
tention of Clinton to his sister, concerning which he did
not feci perfectly at ease.

" He is still a stranger," said Arthur, " as regards
his connexions and birth, for he keeps these sedulously
concealed ; and latterly 1 have not been at all satisfied
that he was innocent in that affair with the Settler's son.
Dan is but a simple fellow, and it is haidly likely that

1 !

. ' 'I'l

THR CANADIAN OIRl.

he could have invented the charge, so as to produce all
the circumstances which he now narrates with such ac-
curacy. You were present, Jane, at the time when the
accusation was made before my grandfather — and you
felt satisfied of Clinton's innocence V*

<* Yes," replied Jane ; " but I think little of what was
my opinion on that occasion, for I was rather guided by
feeling than judgment. I felt very much for Clinton—
but I am sure I know not why. When I look back I
can see no reason why I should not have felt just as much
for Dan. Two years has made a great diiTerence, Ar-
thur, in my mind. I suspect now, where at that time I
should never have suspected — and distrust appearances,
that I could then have laid down my life for. Though
my poor father was a Pirate, and I knew that he was so
— ^though I dwelt so long on a vessel filled with reckless,
abandoned men — ^yet my early years were like those
of many other girls, marked by a disbelief of evil.
How could I think the fair-seerains: Clinton could har-
hour one base thought, when, even in a man like my
father, I have found noble feelings, fine sentiments, and
at least the recollection of former principles, that he had
entertained in the days of goc d Captain Barry. He v/as
rendered very unhappy by the wild and turbulent life he
led. 1 have seen him weep sadly, sir, when he has been
talking to me alone ; and he has said he would give the
world, were it his, to live over again the last ten years of
his life. When I have entreated him to forsake his men,
and to hire himself on some foreign ship, or to cruise for
himself in a lawful way of trade, on the Canadian waters,
he would shake his head, and say, * No, no, Jenny An-
derson, it is too late now — it is too late now ;' or, ' Go

nil

M 111 1 1

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

to your book, my child— think of your poor mother— we
will talk of this at a future day.' And so, Arthur, having
seen good in /«Vn, who was oi)oiilv settiuir law at jU'fiance,
could I think one like Clinton, was in the least de-
praved ?"

" My dear Jane," said Arthur, " I myself, when I
have heard Clinton speak of the occurrence with Dan,
would have staked all I had on his guiltlessness. His
proud carelessness — his plausible statement of what had
passed between him and the Settler's son at different
times — the becoming forbearance with which he pre-
tended to excuse his iklse accuser — completely satisfied
me; and yet, upon examination, I must say with you, I
cannot tell why I should feel so satisfied. Impressions
in a person's favour, are not evidences — neither are his
own representations. We may have been leceived. I,
like you, also, have much altered in my views of human
nature during the last two years, since Clinton came here.
In private talk with him I have heard such things as I
never heard before, that have made me suspicious
of the world. He has evidently mixed with all sorts of
metropolitan society in England. He has described to
me the splendid gaming saloons, and many other places
of public resort (which I call by one name— infamous),
with the circumstantiality of one who has been familiar
with them, and partaken of their spirit ; his acquaintance
with i)laces, where none but the vicious congregate, first
rendered me uneasy, and set me upon drawing out more
of his recollections, and with them, more of his principles,
but he has beco ne more on his guard of late. For one
so young, it is strange, what a medley of scenes and cha-
racters he can bring before the eye ; it seems to me, as

i
(

'I'M : '

1, .

t" ,a.

fi2

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

I hear him, that he has had the full experience of a man
who had lived a life of incessant change in London. How
he has contrived to learn all he knows, amid such glare,
bustle, and confusion, as he describes, I cannot tell.
Though by the b^e he is rather an elegant, than a pro-
found scholar. I find little solidity in his attainments.
Psrhaps a very quick fancy, and a very strong memory,
such as he possesses, might have enabled him to pick up,
and treasure, a quantity of shining facts, such as lie most
on the surface of the arts and sciences, without much
trouble, which the constant play of London talk, in lively
society, kept in use. I can see it is not the amount of
learning, but the method of using it, which makes a man
agreeable. Deep study may be requisite for a scholar,
bat certainly is not requisite for a man of the world. He
may dazzle without it ; his object not being to enlarge
his own immortal mind, but to charm his fellow-men, and
gratify his self-love."

Arthur was leaning on the ground, raised on his right
«rm, and his face turned toward Jane, who sat on a low
scat of sod, her hands crossed on her knee. He extended
his left arm frequently in his earnestness as he continued
to speak, and she heard him with increasing fears foi the
happiness of Lucy.

" I could not oppose him if he is really attached to my
sister,'^ continued Arthur, " although he is without any
means ofdependance separate from us; and although I
should never wish to see her deprived of those indulgences
she has hitherto enjoyed, I know that a woman who
loves can bear any sorrow better than losing the object
of hor tenderness; and what right have I, or anyone, to
inflict upon her the greater sorrow, in order to spare her

: <"i

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

the lesser — No. I perceive too well she is strongly at-
tached to Clinton, and I suppose that he would have it
thouirht that he returns her affection with equal f'trce.
And were it so indeed, 1 should not speak against it. I
should pray for her welfare, do her all the good I could,
and allow her the natural privilege of woman, to decide
whom she will have for the partner (^f her joys and sor-
rows, without interference. But what think you, Jane,
speak freely, for I am very anxious on this matter, do yon
think Clinton sincerely prefers Lucy to every other wo-
man ?" He fixed his eye very attentively on her until
p' 9 ans'Vfad, which she did, e^ter a brief reflection, du-
l"-;isly:- -

'' 1 t' ink — he does: his behaviour is very particular —
he is scarcely ever absent from her side when out of the
study — he is always striving to amuse her — " she stopped,
and Arthur observed —

" You are not perfectly satisfied yourself, Jane. Your
misgivings keep pace with mine."

She did not wish to increase his doubts, not knowing
how it might terminate for LuRy, therefore she said —
" Clinton must see that Lucy re«jards him, and surely we
ought to be satisfied ; for what must he be, who encourages
an affection, which he is conscious he cannot return ?
There cannot exist a more dishonourable man than one
capable of such a piece of duplicity ; he deserves never
to be loved ; he deserves the severest treatment ; he is
the worst enemy of woman. I would not think Clinton
was such a man."

" You express yourself strongly, Jane," said Arthur,
but to my nind not too strongly. It is bitter to entertain
even the most distant probability, that Clinton is such a

*54

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

man. Yet he makes no open avowal. Week after week
goes on — my sister pines and wastes — she is unhappy-
she is restless. She cannot long bear the excitement of
suspense, anil the conflict of hope with fear — ^her health
is not strong enough for that. I have borne this suspense
and conflict for you, Jane ; but I am not the fragile
being she is ; hardly the butterfly now fluttering on your
shoulder, is more tender th ,0 Lucy ; hardly yon thin,
soft cloud which lies upo;^ the bosom of the blue sky, is
more delicate. Let the cold arise, and where is the
butterfly ? — let the wind blow, and where is the thin
cloud? — let disappointment in this, her first love, fall
upon my sister's heart, and where is she ? The spot
which you see yonder, below in the dell, Jane, under
those melancholy trees, near the Marble Foimtain, I have
planned for a burial place for the settlements that may
spring up in and about the Happy Valley ; and I have,
you jierceive, provided an enclosure for it; in that spot,
if Ciuton is vvraring a mask, mark mo, before lon^, will
my sister be laid, and the earth which I have left untilled
for the reception of mortality, will receive her pur©
corpse." • .

" Oh, do not say so !" said Jane, costing her eyes in
the direction which his extended arm pointed out, and
at the same time, secretly sharing in his forebodings.
"No — heaven forbid !"

** The Majesty which created these scenes knows with
wliaif sad reluctance I do say it !" exclaimed Arthur.
" My sister I love most tenderly. Her fine sensibility
has knit our hearts in one — yet the excess of that
quality will, I fear, destroy hor. She has not the least
strength of mind, not the least fortitude with which to

fAn CANADIAN OIRL.

iler week

inhappy—

itement of

•her health

s suspense

ie fragile

ng on your

yon thin,

)lue sky, is

lere is the

s the thin

love, fall

The spot

ane, under

:ain, I have

s tliat may

ind I have,

1 that spot,

?■ lon^, will

[eft untilled

} her pur©

her eyes in
d out, and
brebodings.

knows with
ed Arthur.
» sensibility
ss of that
>t the least
1 which to

bear guffering.*^ Had she passed through your trials,
Jane* she would long ago have been a sleeper in the cold
ground. AH her character is soft, exceedingly soft, and
tender to excess. Her gaiety is but like that of the white
convc Ivulus, which flower, you know, laughs on its stem
with its beautiful pink blushes, but which is so very frail,
that the least change of atmosphere, the least unwary
touch withers it Her mother died of deeUne, and Lucy
inherits a tendency to that fatal English disease. Have
you not seen the hectic crimson on her alabaster cheek ?
You have admired it, and so has Clinton'; but I and ny
grandfather hav« trembled to lool upon it We n^Qg^
aise the sign ; we leel that she who iisplaya >t, is marked
16t an early grvre. The fine scarlet of .her nps».|QO„ is
a concurrent witness of the malady ; and ner figure, or
I am deceived, Jane, slight as it always was, has become
slighter of late ; and her eye, more brilliant than formerly.
— Oh, I grieve to see such brilliancy !" —

*' Hush," cried Jane, raising her hand in the act of
listening, " they are near."

Lucy*s laugh, so peculiar to herself, so silvery, so
gushing — ^like a quick, and sparkling run of waters, for
the first time breaking from a verdured rock — like the
laugh of an untainted child, but more intelligent and
subdued — rang from a height near; and Arthur and
Jane saw the delicate gi.:l of whom they had been
speaking, advancing down a path that had been cut deep
between two bold elevations. Clinton was by her sic'e.

Tv'o soft and long ringlets, of a ligut brown, half out
of ciirl, were blown over her face from each side of her
forehead; her backhair was knotted simply up; a plain
white frock, and a white silk scarf, composed her dress

I I I

rm f?A4^AT;;.iM OIHt..'

" See," wL jpeii'd Ari; ur, briefly to Jane, " she is
much wasted.**

It was so, indeed — ^Lucy ivas much wasted. His fore-
bodings had been too correct — she was sinking under the
excitement, and watchfulness, which had of bte possessed
her. A slight cough, and a quick, fevered breath, as
she came near, gave further tokens that the insidious foe
was gaining fast on her constitution, though concealed
under an aspect of increased attractiveness. She fre-
quently looked up into the face of Clinton, and as fre-
quent^, with smiling bashfulness, turned her eye away.
miat mnocent blue eye, was languid in its motions, too
brin^t for health, and too fullof exqmsite ibeli^gtogivo
pronbe of permtikcat happmesa on earth.

I 8{ '

TUB CANADIAN OIRL.

€UAPTEA Y.

Soft was the vale ! Ui gentle habitaaU
mm^rtm^Xj. Wildwoocb
Sarered them from the world ; and tliey
fMId only feel sweet naturals softflsl auM^
And only sought her guiltless joys '

" Sbb, my dear brother/* said Lucy, taking tlie smaA
basket from Clinton, with a half-suppressed sigh, ** we
have found many varieties of flowers since we left you.
Here is a very large wild peach, too, Clinton plucked
it for Jane, he said, but I shall give it to my broflier, and
if he will, he shall gi/e U to Jane."

Jane nused her eyes to Clinton, and saw him gazing
at her with a peculiar expression of the eye. He then
looked at the peach, and again at her, giving her to un-
derstand by his glance, that he wished her to take it But
Jane, when the fruit was offered to her by Arthur, at
once refused it, with such a manner as she hoped would
convey to Clinton her strong sense of dislike at his con-
duct.

The Pastor was now seen walking deliberately up to
the elevation. Lucy went to meet him, but Clinton re-
mained, leaning against the rock that rose at the back
of Jane,

I HI

6»

THB CANiAlAN OlIIL.

" Well, children," said the Pastor smilingly, when ho
had reached the summit of the crag, "You are enjoying
this fine weather in a very grand situation. Well, well.
Do not let me disturb you. Nay, Jane, sit still. I see
.^i-^!iur has been entertaining you here with the sublime
and the beautiful. He has been, I niake no doubt, pointing
out to your notice every object of the surprising prospect
before you, and has grsfiHj fiMtraeted you by very pru-
f ' i homilies on them. — Very well — ^very well."

Arthur laughed, a little confused, while Jane looked
down, and espeeially wh«n the Sat .«er openly took her
hand and drew her back to the seat of sod on which she
had been sitting, not altering in the least his position by
her side. Emotions of happiness arose in her breast as
ibe marked this evidence of his sincerity, nor were they
diminished when the Pastor himself sat down close by
her, and spoke to her more familiarly than ever he had
done before.

'' " I came home," said he, " about a half an hour ago,
and inquiring for my children, heard that they were all
out on a ramble; and, said Irish Deborah, who was
stirring, with all the strength of her strong red arms, a
pot of preserves in the kitchen, they have got the kitar
with 'em, your worship, and the rush basket, so I douH
expict 'em afore dark at any rate. Hearing this, I turned
about, and bidding her prepare the tea, came away to
look after my nmaways." He then talked of a farm he
had been visiting.

" Have you had no refreshments, grandfather, since
you came back?" inquired Arthur. On being answered
in the negative, he called to Lucy, who was standing at
the farthest end of the broad rocky platform, harkeninjr

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

to Clinton, who ivas quoting from English poets passages
in unison ivith the scene, and asked her if she was willing
to go do)vn now to the lodge. Lucy sent Clinton to de-
sire Jane to go first, and see that the pre{>arations for
the afternoon meal were mule in the garden Jane waf
in the act of rising in obedience to the request, but Ar-
thur neld her back.

" Grandfather," said he, ** Jane Anderson must not
be looked upon in the character of a servant afler this
moment." His tone was decisive — ^his manner no less
so. The Pastor looked neither surprised nor displeased.

^* As you will, my son," said he, with much feeling.
" I hope you will, both of you, behave to each other with
honour and aHection ;" and added, after a minute's si-
lence, ** that all your lives henceforth may be as guilt-
less and as bright as this. Jane," he laid his hand on
her head, '* I give you my blessing ; and, if a mutual
love exists between you and my son, there is no in*
equality of circumstances should sever you. My son,
I hope as this maiden appears so destitute of friends,
and of fortune, you will supply to her the place of
both."

" That I will," said Arthur, calmly, but with affecting
energy.

-' Dear sir," said Jane, tremulously, to the Pastor,
" I wish to speak with vcu alone, when you will give
me leave."

" Come to my study this evening," said the Pastor ;
" there, indeed, I should like to meet with you both
together." ' .

" Vou can have nothing to say, my dear Jane, that
1 mar not hear.** said Arthur, " if you have really

Tim CANADIAN OinL.

entire confidonco in me, and liavo opened jfour heart to
mo without reserve."

** I have done bo/' said Jane, quietly ; " yet, if you
please, I must speak with the Pastor alone."

" So you shall, my child," said the Pastor. " Como
to me alone, then, directly after tea *

" Thank you sir," said Jane.
[I Lucy and Clinton had heard nothing of this short con-
versation, he had rejoined her as soon as his message
was delivered, and she was now turning over, uncon-
sciously, the specimens in her basket, which stood before
her, on a little projection of the rock. Clinton was
speaking with much caution of Jane. He asked Lucy if
she was aware of her brother's attachment to the latter.
Lucy answered Yes. Clinton then wishetl to know if
the Pastor approved his choice. This Lncy could not
tell, but she thought Arthur had made him acquainted
with it.

- " Has he indeed!" exclaimed Clinton, biting his lip.
" He was bold to take such a step— I should not have
had the same hardihood, had I been situated as he is.
Jane is very fortunate, too. I fear, Miss Lee, I should
not have met the same favour, had my ambition led mc
to seek tfie hand of the sister of Arthur." This was said
in a passionate manner, and Lucy artlessly rejoined —

" You cannot tell — you think too hardly of my grand-
father," and there stopped.

Clinton took no notice of the direct encouragement
she had thus given him, but struck off into another sub-
ject, while her mild face gradually assumed a deep pale-
ness, as the shock of wounded pride agitated her spirit*

*• Jane, I thoupht you were gone to the lodgO;^'' said

i ..

Tire CANAniAN OTRl.

Lucy, stopping forward, and addressing the (brmvtf M %
sort of relief from the oppressive sensations she felt. ^

" No — no," said the Pastor, " I could not let her go
without us. Aid how does your guitar sound, Bfr>
Clinton, among these tremendous rocks ? Suppose jon
tune a few stanzas on it, before we return home. Yoi
cau handle the poet's lyre, as well as the musiciao^e ia*
strument, I have heard, so perhaps we shall hare a few
verses of your own, to some favourite air of the Britifh
isles."

Clinton placed his guitar beneath his arm, and, touching
it soflly and tenderly, sang in a superior style, slowly,
the following irregular lines, as he stood near the edge of
the precipice; —

> Come hither, come hither, my own true lo?e I

On the Bhell-strewed shore we'll roam ;
Where the billows play, through the lirelong day, <* >
In their coronals of foam i

While the gentle kin of the giant blast, . ' ' .:; ,
Prom the groren tweet odours bring, /

Lulling young evt s they wander past.
With their dream y murmuring.

There is a cave, where -lie sleepy vtvo

For ages hath sought to rest;
It may not be, yet still wearily ' ', 'i

It creeps to that darksome nest.

And its querulous 'plaint is all that'll Iieard. / \ < ',
' Oh, thither love hie with mo ! ^

There dwells with its maiu the wild sea-bird, ' * *

Shunning the world— like thee.

Arthur, springing up, drew the arm of Jane through h»
own, then looking at Lucy with affection, said to he»— .
" 1^ «» your bonnet, sister, and draw the scarf doubk

THB CANADIAN OIRC

tvar jfour breast, the breeze is growing stronger,
though it is warm, yet yov. had better not meet it with-

out a coTering.'* *• , j

. " You are very tender to me»*' said Lucy, restraining
the tears which pressed upwards to her eyes.
< Thi Putor led the way down an irregular mountain
psth, and the younger persons followed. Then' steps
were slow, and they spoke tc one another as they went
with gaiety and fireedom. Few would have surmised that
(he heart of either had ever felt a wound. 1 et even
now, what loubts — ^what apprdiensions — what jealousies
— >what anguish — what poignant regret — rankled beneath
foose five seemingly happy countenances. The Pastor
sighing for his departed children, and trembling for the
U/s of his granddaughter — ^Lucy suffering the pangs of
a breaking heart — Arthur the anxieties of a brother and
a suitor — Clinton tortured by jealousy, and the secret
stings of conscience — and Jane, although enjoying the
unequalled luxury of a first affection, enduring more
real distress of mind than either of the others. In the
most blissful fi'tuations, " the ills that flesh is heir to,"
will find out their victims — the most beautiful scenes of
nature, aud the most retired, nourish human troubles.

High above the valley towered the noble mountain
which the party had newly left, whose vast summit was
nearly flat, and loaded with pines, and whose lower half
formed a perpendicular wall of granite, extending along
the side of the dell to some distance.

Wheat-fields were laid out along the base of that
mountara in sofl beauty; the breeze gliding ovor the
full ears, caused thorn to bend on their long stalka, and
they appeared to Jane, who was expert in such

TIIK CANADIAN Oini..

aliouK, to i\ seiiible oxactly the wavos of a quiet sea un-
iliilatinjj in jjontlo swells.

The Pastor and the young person-^ crossed the slender
br!d>;e, and passed a shallow |)ool, studded with little
patclins of verdure, and surrounded with beautiful wil-
lows. Several horned cattle grazed in an enclosurn close
bv, with some sheep and swine. The mill, which was
but small, and only employed for the use of the lod^re,
had just ceased to play, and the man who performed the
office of a miller, was shutting the door on the outside;
he touched his hat to the Pastor and Arthur as they passed
him, and walked leisurely to the house by a bye path.

The garden gii -. was opened by the Paptor, and he
held it back until his young fri' nds had passed through,
then stood leaning against it with Clinton and his grand-
son, while Ltjcy and Jane went Ibrward to see tho tab.e
spread for the last meal of the day, which included tea
and sup|)er.

The garden covered a large space of ground around the
house, and, though arranged with very little regidarity,
was both useful and ornamental in a hij^h degree. Tin
flfwei-s were mixed with many wee4ls,»but such as were
iu themselves so charming, that the person must have
iiad little taste who would have wished them awav
Abundant vegetables were cultivated beyond the flower-
plots, and beyond these again, next the palisades, wore
sheds and hay-ricks, a plough, rude carts, and oLlitr farm
appurtenances.

In front of the kitchen door of the lodge many tuns
and pans might be seen, filie<l \\ itli delicious fruit, tnostly
wild, which Deborah, the prli.f ipal woman st-rv ant, wan
jusit aUiut to preserve for winter use. ? ,

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

Deborah was sittin<?on a stool, sinsfinjr to herself with
much untutored pathos, one of the ohl ballads of her
country; occasionally she stopped to sigh, «nd lookiuj;
on vacancy a few seconds, suffered her memory to dwell
"vith regret on past scenes.

" What are you thinking of Debby?" said the Piistor,
with that unformal kindness which had won him the af-
fections of every domestic of the lodge. " Have you
not forijot Ireland, vet ?"

" No, indeed, ycur worship," said Del)by, examining
with double dilifronco the hiscions plums and raspberries
heaped by her side, in the state in which they had boon
gathered in the wt):)ds. " How sliould I ever forget the
bonnie land wheu; the bones of my father and mother
lie? The mud walls of their cabin, are they not still
seen u})iight by the bogs of Kilfen/i a ? 'Tis the wind
ol' Ireland ftwe('i)S over their cold hearth, and tiuit same
wind sin<T^ in my i-arsnow. I'll never sec the place again,
i know, where the c;ibin is. 1 know I'll never kneel to
the priest of the parish to s-, my confessions a»ain — I'll
never daiulle on my knees my dear little brothers and
sisters— i'i I never k«sstlu! cross at the head of my parents
grave— as 1 have come over sea so far from Ireland, I
must never go back to it again — that 1 know at any rate,
your worship; — but it is not asy to forget her, and I never
shall forget her."

" Bdt yon are hapjjv here, Del)by, are you not ?" '

" Yes, your worship, happier than i could be any
v/hero else out of Irehuul." sdi In !ii«,jt ;ii

" And how, my good giri, since you loved your country
^o snKMM'ely, rame you to h-ave it ?'*

Deborali's hotnoly face was ail on tire at the question :

h ih

THK CANADIAN OIRL.

iceafTiun,

a cljdid was touched that vibrated painfully :— " Ah, your
worship !" said she, " most persons have a tale to tell ;
and every one, higli or low, at my age, have had a taste
of affliction. I came out to be married, your worehip;
but my husband that was to be, united himself to a Ca-
nadian-French peasant, instead of to the girl he had sworn
faith to in Ireland, and that was me. I broke a piece
of silver with him, twelve years ago next autumn, and
here it is ;" so sjiying she drew from her breast the token
she named, which was suspended from her neck by a
piece of black ribbon. " He was a playmate of mine,
youc worship, and went to America to seek a situation.
And indeed O'Reilly did send for me, your worship, I
have his letter in my pocket now," — she groped in that
expansive receptacle, and brought to the Pastor's view
an old sheet of paper, written over, which had been
evidently preserved with great care. The Pastor, as if
the circumstances she related were of the highest conse-
quence to him, read the reUc to the bottom (though this
was no easy matter, the writing and spelling being very
bad, the ink pale, and the creases of the paper nu-
merous,) then returned it to her, with as much real
respect as if she had been a lady of the first order of
rank and refinement. " But he decaived me, ' said
Deborah, and wiped her eyes, "• and I have never scon
the face of him since the first week I landed, when ho
told me himself he was wedded to another."

" Ho behaved very ill to you, Debby," said the Pastor.
" But why not accept the miller, who is so siucero in his
regard for you ?" f V'Wk ni.

" O'Reilly has broken his troth," said the girl, " but
1 h<*ve not broken mine: and I'll wear this bit of a sil-

if ^1?'*

i ■ ^

!'■ '^

lil:)ii

" M ■

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

ver tokon till 1 He down in my grave, at any rate, your
worship."

" The beantifui flower of constancy can grow, you
see, in rough soils," said the Pastor, to Clinton and Ar-
thur, then sbutt'nor the gate the three walked forwards.

The summer-house was large, and delightfully shaded
in front with a maple tree, which, as it was now July, was
fast becoming clothed with richly-tinted foliage, that
drooped upon the roof of shingles. Tlje ..ong table, of
black walnut-wood, was in the middle, clliairs of the same
material, and of easy shape, stood at the upper end, and
♦ools at the lower. The Pastor occupied the chief place :
Lucy was on his right, a. bubbling English tea-urn, and
a silver teapot, being before her ; from the latter she
filled the cups with the incomparable and far -celebrated
Chinese decoction ; Arthur, on the Pastor's left, dispensed
small cakes, of different sorts, some hot, casting up thin
smoke, whi h blended with the fumes of the tea, inviting
the unsophisticated appetite with the most pleasing smell.
Clinton sat near Lucy, lower down the board, and cut
for the domestics and labourers as they came in from the
fields, the house, and the outhouses, liberal slices from a
majestic pile of beef, that had been salted and boiled to
the exact point r f perfection. Opposite him Jane helped
p!>»rt'ovt3 horn a stately round of messed pork. On the
ottf r I arts of the table were grouped moist new cheeses,
tail Irjtt; r frts.]; from the cl urn, rich creams, omelets of
ec"3, ru'^ftardis, I'.ttermi'^ , syrup of molasses (or maple-
sue ': :i» a lalf liquid J:\te)^ honey of a pure tint, rolls
of ryo, siwr'ey, a!j& wheal, and sweet cyder.

The* ♦■onversatiion was cheerful, and every one at table
con.i. ..ed *."■ it^ each possessing information on one or

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

itl

more |)oiiits of domestic interest. The principil topics
had reference to the sugar that had been taken from the
maple trees of the valley in the late month of May, which
was compared with that procured in past years from the
same trees, and with that laid in by other settlers irom
other maples, in distant woods. The merits of the new
apples were next examined, and the worth of the quan-
tity expected to be gathered in roughly estimated at
market price. The approaching wheat-harvest was of
great importance in the colloquies cf >uc table, but in
its turn gave way for the introduction of other produce
./ the season, in field, omhard, and g»n\ m.

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THU CANAUIAN OIBb.

inU ,1!

'■• «/ .J.J. Cf

CHAPTER VL

(A.

•' Farewrll ! nnd when fhy days tre Uild,
ttOir^fij tRMi Ill-fated Ruth ! hi hallowM mooi'ri
'i'iiy uorpatf shall buried be;
For thee A t'nneral °n«i. thali lUiK,
And all the congregation sing
A Christian psalm for theo."— If'ordfwotA.

,•1*5

After tea, Jane conversed privately with the Pastor
m his study, and was leaving him, when Clinton met
her.

" Jane," he said softly, " step into the garden with
me, I have something part^^ular to communicate to you
— I beseech you do not deny me."

Jane stood still ; she was perfectly aware of the nature
of thai which he had to communicate to her ; yet she
hop{3d, the opportunity here afforded her, might be turned
to Lucy*s advantage, and be made the means of sparing
the family much sorrow. Under this sudden impression
she walked out to a path between high rose-bushes, and
there stopped an instant until Clinton had joined her.
She repelled his vehement gratitude for this concession,
and gravely assured him, that it was only a principle of
duty which led her to speak with him thus, alone.

'' Then 1 am still more bound to thank you/' said he ;

TWK iJANADrATJ OIRL.

" an.i first, while wp nve iinint«rnipteH, tell i.ie, I copjuiw
you, if you "have sjivcn oncourajjeroent to Mr. Lee?'*

Jane was silent. He entreated her ajra-n with im-
passioned languajre to tell him. She then replied in a
low. bnt distinct voice-—

" I havp;" and added, "havinp^ answered your ques-
tion, I take the liberty, Clinton, to require an ani>wer to
mine. Have you not jfiven Miss Lee reason to thinir
that you ha"o an unbounded esteem for her ?"

«* Dear .lane, you are far more sensible than she i«. I
have an unbounded esteem for you. She has a triflinjr
annuity of tliirfy pounds a year ; but you have superior
gfoodness, superior talents — my soul assimilates with
yours ; witli hers it cannot. Many such girls as Lucy I
hiive seen, \mt nover one like you. When first I found
you, Jane, liy Farmer Josl)ua's trout-pool, (you re-
member the hour) I felt my heart affected for you most
strongly; and when, afterwards, I saw your eye kindly
bent upon me, at the time when that fool, the Settler's
son, attempted to injure me, I knew Jane, at least, ac-
quitted me, and then I — loved her," The last two words
were pronounced with thrilling emphasis, and immedi-
jifely Jane turned her head, thinking she heard a faint
<ry behind the bushes, but, seeing no one, she supposed
j.|ie had been deceived,

" We have been hero two years,'' resumed Clinton ;
*• have been treated well, and made happy enough. But
can such souls ns yours and mine, Jane, bear to be im-
nuned longer in regions of rocks and woods? 1 am
wearied of solitude and America. I intend to take my
leave of the lodge very shortly. What would be my
transport if 1 could have a companion with me — such as

f ^

Hn TOO CANAOiAN i.ruh.

Jane I Will you go with me ? I will take .mi t*. L'n»fliml,
to mv wiii'ives, wiio *vill welcome us io homos ol styU*
ami splendour. Vou will w .tloreil there. There an-
no people in the wori'J like the English nobility ; the
society in which my I'rientls move is full ol" spirit. Abun-
dance oi'wit, ami elegant repartee, will give zest to the
refine*! conversation you will partake in. They are'lch,
and YOU will have apartments of your own, decorated
with enchanting furniture, and hung with pier glasses,
that will reflect your image from glass to glass. You will
have a fashionable servant, whose sole duty it will be to
attend to you. And I — " *

" 1 1 ank you, I am quite contented here," said Jane.

Clintoi. still mistaking her character, was emboldened
by her mildness, and went on vehemently urging her to
leave America with him, omitting nothing that he sup-
posed likely to inflame her imagination \u favour of the
journey. *

*' T will give you my answer in writing," said she, ** to-
morrow morning," thinking this the easiest way of dis-
pcs'ug of the question ; but he declared he could lake
no denial, for his very life was at stake, and she mi$si
agree to go with him.

** Then, not to keep you in doubt," said A\e, " I re-
ply at once — I cannot go from the valley with y;.n — 1
have given my word to Mr. Lee, and I must keep it."

" You speak so coldly, with so much apathy, as if
l«)\e \v;is a set of formal lawyers deeds — a bundle of
wnlk'u promises. But how spoke Shakspoare's Jul-et —

" My bounty is us b unillesb an .he sea ;
" ' i i My lovo u deep.' • '■ -> .

» on are no Juliet— no Suppho— no Dido— 4ane. Ycu

THE CANADIAN UIHU

9 ol style
riicrii an-
ility ; Ihc
t. Abun-
est to the
I' Hro'lch,
iloco rated
(r-ji^l asses.
You will
will bti to

said Jane,
iboldened
ng her to
it he sup-
our ui' tlie

I she, " to-

av of dis-

x)uld lake

she mmt

he, "■ I rc-

ith y;.n — 1
keop it." •
athy, as if
bundle of
j's Jnl'ot —

» "■,. . j
aue. Yiu

8V)uld olevHte vour heart to Jove with more nobdit\'—
more fervency — moro passion."

Jane smih>d. " I do not admiro the two last," she
said: " the other I would not wish to imitate."

" Not admire Sappho and Dido, those wonderful wo-
men ! — not imitate a Juliet! '

" I have road little of the latter," said Jane, " and
nothin<^ of the former ; what I know of them has been
derived from you. You have recited to Lucy and 1 a
great many passages from \'irgil, about Dido, Pome poems
of Sappho, and some of Juliet^s s])eech(>s, all containing
fine beauties, I dare say, but surely dangerous when held
up to young women as cx.iniples. Excuse my presump-
tion ; I give my ouinion — it may be foolish what I say.
Wo like and dislike from ir.ipulse, and often know not
why."

" There is one character you like,** said Clinton
"Madame Cottin's Elizabeth."

" All, yes," said Jane; " she devoted herself to obtain
her father's pardon — went from Siberia to Petersburgh, on
foot, alone. T/iat is such a journey an I should like to
have taken. I wish I had been Elizabeth. How happy
she must have been when she saw her father Crjc !"

*' But that was only an imaginary woman."

" Not imaginary altogether ; Madame Cottin had, I
dare say, seen some one who would have been capable
of filial virtue as great. Simple, unobtrusive goodness,
is to be found in the world as well as in works of fiction."

" I think you would be equal to Elizabeth, in similar
circumstances," said Clinton.

** I fear not," said Jane ; " and yet, for my father, 1
could sacrifice much — and he is not a parent like hen.**

TiiK vauadus girl.

h 1 ■ ,;i
r : t

■ I

** Ami do you admiro (he Virginia of Uornardin St
Pierre ?"

•• She left licr inoti t," said Jofic, " to gain a for-
tune."

** But that was for the sake ofPaul, whom fchoh)vo(l/*
said Clinton. " Did you but love as Virginia loved !'*

** If I did, I should not remain thus convoi'sinur with a
man who would induce mo to break my word," calndv
returned Jane ; "andtliough I do uoi love like Virginia.
yet I should not remain here thus, only with tiic hopu of
doing good. When we first came to this valley, Clinton,
the Pastor's family were happy. — Is it so now I Does
not your heart upbraid you T'

" No," said Clinton, with a short laugh of disdain,
ftnd gratified vanity, which he scarcely troublid himself
to restrain. " I know perfectly to whom you allude — to
Miss Lee. But think you,*' said he, gaily, *' shn is tno
only weak woman who has sigheil for me? Wherever J
have gone, Jane, I have found very little troul)le in per-
suading ladies to break their hearts for ine. Thev con-
strue a few general compliments into confessions of love;
a few gallantries, :<ito a |x)sitive offer; and when our
fancies flit from one to another fair flower — as fancies
are apt to do — tlvere is a great |>otl»er made about no-
thing, and we get all the blame; whereas, you mu.st
confess, the fault all lies with the pretty sentimental
sufferers, themselves. Did thoy never hear that ' Jove
lauuhs at lovers perjuries?' A man of spirit professes
admirati(m for every young lady, that he is pleased with
at all; but how weak those ladies must be if thnv suu-
pose that the gentleman is prepared to ))ut himself in
matrimonialbonds with them all. Folly! Miss Lee woulr*

THB CANADIAN GIRL. m

Dave leen me play a diiferent part had I intended aur
riling serious. To prevent the valley heconiing dull to
Bie, I amused myself as nuicli as I cuuld with singing,
talking, rea(liii(;r, and so on. Miss Leo »viis captivated
directly with wliat sho was pleased to call my genius ;
and I could not, of course, lie so barbarous, as to refrain
from repeating that which gave her deli<;lit. VoUy unlike
Lucy, have been insensible tn all ray ollorfs to entertain
you; pure as ice, and quite as cold, you have been un-
kind to me; no kind glance from you has ever answered
to mine ; even my peach Jane refused, though the fa>
voured Mr. Leo presented it to her."

A second fi'cblo sound reached the ear of Jane from
the bushes^ and she changed countenance, moved by a
painful conjecture. The next instant she was at the spot
whence the sound proceeded, and that conjecture re-
ceived conflrmatiou, for there lay Lticy at the foot of a
tulip-tree. The unhappy girl had stepped aside to pluck
some flowers, which now lay scattered on the soil beside
/ler, and had overheard nearly the whole conversation
iK^tween Clinton and Jane. Shocked, and burning witli
shame, she had remained standing unable to move, until
a fiiintness came over her senses, and she fill.''

" -Mr. Clinton ! Mr. Clinton !" exclaimed Jjuie, In
alarm, and he immediately stepped between the bushes
t',' a small grassy space.

" Heavens!"' he cried; " how came Miss Leo in tills
state?"

" I have no doubt, Mr. Clinton, she has hoard all vou
have said?" exclaimed Jane.

** I hope not," said he, stooping with Jane to ro'se
Lucy from the ground. '* By Jove? J would not navw

IMAGE EVALUATION
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i^ B4£ 12.0

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Photographic

Sdeaces
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, M.Y. 14580

(716) S72-4503

«•» ;

lUm \

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

Iiad her Tiear me for a thousand pounds ! It wouia of»
the death of her!"

' ''But even in that case, you know, Mr. Clinton, it
would be very hard for you to have the blame of the
event — it is all the fault of the pretty sentimental suf-
ferer herself."

" Jane — Jane — a sight like this is sufficient punisli-
ment for me," he cried, then kissing the hand of the
insensible girl, protested, with an agitated countenance,
that he would instantly remedy the evil ho had caused,
were it not too late. Jane said there was no remedy in
his power now. She then left him, with one knee on tlio
ground, supporting Lucy in a sitting posture, while she
hastened toward the house. Seeing Deborah, she beck-
oned her quickly, and turned back to the spot where
Lucy lay.

*' O my young mistress !" exclaimed the warm-hearted
Irish girl ; " it's I will carrj' you to the house, in my
own arms, at any rale ; for I love you with all my heart
for your tindir disposition !" and so saying, she took up
the slight figure as if it had been a child's, and conveyed
it with care to the door of the lodge, where Arthur stood.
He could not see Deborah until she turned an angle of
the wall near the doorway, but as soon as his eye fell
upon her, he started forward, and received his sister from
her breast. Immediately he carried Lucy into the family
apartment, and laid her upon a sofa. The Pastor was
called.

Clinton remained in unpleasant meditation and sus-
pense outside the house, walking backwards and for-
wards, under the windows of the room in which Luc'jras.
jane assisted Deborah in restoring her, while Arthur

THB CANADIAN GIR7>.

sent off a man to the nearest village for a phjsician.
Lucy opened her eyes and gazed around on the anxious
faces collected near her. A long-drawn sigh which she
heaved brought the tears into her brother's eyes.

" Lucy ! — sister !" he exclaimed, " what ails you 1 Do
you know us ?" She placed his hand on her heart:—

" I am so oppressed here, Arthur," she said, and then
closed her eves.

" She has fainted again !" said the Pastor. " I wish
the doctor had arrived. Jane, you went into the garden
immediately after leaving me, and there found Lucy on
the ground, did you not say so ?"

" I was speaking with Clinton, sir, in the little path
by the tulip-trees, when I heard a cry, and going inside
the bushes I saw her lying as she is now."

*'• Well," said he, "it is little use perplexing ourselves
to determine the cause of her illness, when she has re-
covered she herself will inform us of it, and we must have
patience."

The evening wore away, and midnight approached,
none of the inmates of the lodge were retired to rest,
but all awaited the arrival of the physician with anxiety.
The miller and a. field labourer set out about one o'clock
with lights to meet him, and returned at the dawn of
daylight, with a Doctor Bathurst. He ordered his pa-
tient to be immediately undressed and put to bed, which,
having been done, he drew out his lancet and bled her
in the arm. This experiment was attended with so little
satisfactory result, that he was entreated to remain a day
or two in the house, that he might be at hand in case of
any more serious symptoms occurring. To this he con-
tented, and a man was dispatched to the village to in»

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

s 1'..

form the Doctor*s household that his return would }je
uncertain, and should he be wanted they were to give
him notice. During the day, he had private conversation
with Arthur and the Pastor, when he gave it his opinion
that her constitution had been undermined with con-
sumption, which had been hastened, at least, by mental
agitation, and that she was in positive danger.

The Pastor received the tidings with silence, lifting
bis eyes to the sky as he stood by the open window, then
putting on his clerical hat, and grasping his stick by the
wrong end, unconsciously, went out of the house, and
strayed into the most shaded j)arts of the orchard, where
only the eye of heaven could behold the hard struggle in
his soul between faith and grief.

But Arthur, young, impetuous, unused to sorrow, and
indignant against Clinton, after his first burst of distress
was over, sought the man whom, in his haste, he accused
as the destroyer of his sister. He was passing Lucy*s
chamber, and looked in, pushing the door inwards noise-
lessly; the curtains were looped up at the foat of the
bed, so that he could see her half raised on pillows, her
eyes closed ; green blinds, drawn down to the bottom of
the windows, subdued the strong light of the afternoon
sun to a soft hue, just suitable for a sick chamber, and
combined, with the white furniture of the bed, to exhibit
the invalid in the most interesting point of view. The
full borders, edged with English pillow-lace, cf her mus-
lin cap, heightened the soil expression of her now colour-
less features ; and a large shawl formed a simple drapery
for the upper part of her figure.

Arthur beheld her with melancholy and tender admi-
tatioD. No object, to his partial eye, had ever appeared

THE CANADIAN GIUL.

■noftifair — mo re spotless; but ashelooUeil, the reflection
that her days were numbered, smote him with ovpr-
Dowering aTif»uish. He went to her; she opened her
eves Willi a sad smile, and attempted to raise herself: —

" Brother, have you begun harvest yet T' she in*
quired."

" Not yet in earnest," said he ; " but how do you fina
yourself now ?"

" Nearly well again," she answered. " But tell Jane
to make the tea at five o'clock, for the Doctor will not
let me come down to-day."

Arthur felt half choaked with emotion, and kisped her
forehead in silence.

" I feel strangely altered," she said, " since mornins;
" it must be with having been bled, for I see my arm is
oandaged." She presently added, " Brother, look at the
flowers when you go downstairs, if you please, for I am
afraid they have not been watered this raorninff ; to-
morrow I will chansfe some of the geraniums into larger
pots."

He assured her he would .v*ok to them.

*' I am very cold," said she ; " winter will not be un-
welcome to me — I shall be glad to see it come back, and
then Arthur" (she smiled again) " we shall have the
great log burning once more in the broad kitchen chim-
ney, and the heat, and the sparks, and the corn, parching,
under Deborah's eye, in the ashes — and the roasted
hickory-nuts, and apples — and the mince-pies baking on
the hearth — will not all this be delightful ? I am v«ry
cold ; I should be glad to get up before some right large
blazing logs now." .,

*• Mj dear sister," said Arthur, " I will tell Doctor

f !:■

m i

di''^

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

Balmirstthat you are cold; perhaps you are not wrapped
\['j sufficiently ;" and he began tucking the shawl under
her arms, and drawing it more closely about her neck.

"That will do, thank you; yes, you may tell the
Doctor that I am cold, and please say to him, also, that
a jTDod fire is all I want to make me well."

" I will tell him so," said Arthur; and, kissing her
again, he withdrew.

" That coldness — that perfect unconsciousness of her
danger are, my dear sir, unfavourable symptoms, said the
Doctor a short time afterwards to Arthnr; " I must not
disoiiise from you the truth of the case. "

" She says she has felt strangely altered since this

niorninjr

»5

" She certainly has not altered for the better I am
sorry to say," rejoined the Doctor. " Let me take the
lioerty to pour you a glass of wine, Mr. Lee. These are
the periods, sir, when the strength of our fortitude is tried
to the utmost. Believe me, I feel for you. I myself have
passed through the ordeal more than once or twice, having
lost a mother, a wife, and a son."

The Doctor was a wealthy man, of much skill, it was
said, and of delightful manners. His cheerful kindness
to the patient, and his sympathy for the anxious friends
of the patient, pleased wherever he practised ; then ho
had such a fund of anecdotes of medicine, from the old
and new world, that those who could afTord it, would wil-
Xngly pay their fee for the sake of his conversation, H'J
was the sole Doctor of the village in which he lived; and
OS there were few houses, and fewer illnesses, he had the
more leisure to devote to those persons who required his
•ervices. In age he was about tifty, of the middle height,

TtlE rANA"HAN OIRL.

^J9

jftrtnt, but remarkably active, ami always well Jrcssed in
biack. His countenance was portly, and good-humoured;
his eyes quick ; his mouth large but pleasing; and his
forehead broad. He was a Doctor whom every one was
delighted to honour — ^young and old, man, woman, and
cnild, in the village, and its neighbourhood, sounded hlii
praises. He was so entirely the gentleman, that the
poorest labourers of the farms met the same politeness
and affability from him, as their employers did. He at-
tendefl them as carefully, took as much pains to sup-
port theirspirits under the pressure of disease, and showed
them as much sympathy as though they had each been
capable of putting liundieds into his pocket. He haii
emigrated from Britain many 3'ears before the date of
this story, with no other design, he affirmed, than that
of seeing nature under a new aspect ; for llio Doctor
\vas nearly as much distinguished for his taste as ibr hn
•Politeness, and took great pleasure in unfrequented scenes^
where he could dream and talk of the busy world, but
neither see it, nor move in it. He was accustomed to sfi v*
pleasantly, concerning this partiality of his, that he wa''
a lovcrof nature, and preferred the society of his niistres.s
when retired from the public eye.

Arthur would have again sought Clinton, though he
knew not wliat he could say to him ; but Doctor Ba-
thurst detained the former without obviously seeminnr to
do so, and gradually talked him into somethinor like
sftenity. An hour passed — tea was brought in — iind still
the Doctor"'s stories were not exhausted, nor had the Pas-
tor returned from his solitary ramble. Arthur proposed
walkinw to meet him, and the Doctor consented at once,
but said, as ho rose, and looked around for his hat, " I

ifi)

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

will first look in upon my charge, if agreeable, and Me
how she is."

" Do so," said Arthur ; " and if possible, do give me
some hopeful report of her."

" Nothing will make me more happy than to be able
to do so," said the Doctor, bowing in his quick and
friendly manner as he left the room. ^i >^, m:-"^

He found her worse, but longing to get up, which,
to soothe her, ho promised she should do on the followmg
morninsf. While the Doctor was with her on this occa«
sion, and also during the ensuing night, her fancy, all
astray, dwelt upon the coming of winter, and the home-
delights of that season, with pertinacity. Her grand-
lather, who came up to see her after his mournful walk,
was compelled to leave the room, he was so affected to
hear her reckon up, with such preciseness, the months
and weeks that would elapse before next Christmas,
while she entertained not the slightest idea that before
that anniversary of the Redeemer's birth came, she would
be the lonely occupant of a grave.

About midnight she fell into a sleep — a trance-like
sleep — from which the Doctor hoped nuicli ; but in an
hour she started up with so much violence that she had
thrown herself out of bed before she was awake. Jane
was sitting on a chair, half asleep, behind the curtains ;
the Doctor and the Pastor had gone to lie down; and
Arthur and Clinton were up, below. , ^ , ^\

** My dear Miss Lee ! — my dear Lucy ! were ^ou
dreaming, that you started so?" asked Jane, throwing
per arm around the sick girl, intending to assist her back
wito bed.

Dre.

uumg

yes," answered Lucy, loosening herself

m CANADIAN OISL.

Ptorn Jane's arm, and walking rrmly across the floor to
the looking-glass, " I think I have been dreaming — and
such a dream ! Let me see how I look." Here she
drew a chair to the dressing-table, and sat down care-
lessly, as though she had been in perfect health, de-
liberately taking off her cap, and shaking her brown
hair about her, preparatory to putting it in order.

*' Lucy — dearest Lucy ! — come back to bed !'* en-
treated Jane, in vain : " Pray, Miss Lee, come back, or
you will get cold !"

Lucy smiled ; and said, " Don't be afraid of my
health, Jane — I am very well ;" then went on brushing
and combing her hair, and arranging it in her own simple
way, without paying any regard to Jane's remonstrances
and petitions. At length the latter, stepping out on tip-
toe, hurried to the door of the room where the Doctor
and Pastor were enjoying their brief repose, and knocked.
' " How is she ?" anxiously inquired the Pastor, comin^r
to the door in his chintz dressing-gown. • ' 'v^-* '

" Miss Lee is up, sir, sitting at the looking-glass,**
faltered Jane, with looks of agitation. -r -

" Up ! bless me — how is that ? before daylight !— «>
seriously ill ! Doctor — Doctor — do you hear this ? — Lucy
is up sitting at her glass !"

" You do not say so ! I had hoped that her sleep would
have done her good ; but if this is the case she has not
been at all benefittecl by it I am sorry — very sorry,*'
said the Doctor, drawing on [lis coat, and coming out.
** Does she look wild at all- -have you observed her face?"

tfane answered, " She looks very bright, and hand-
some, and I never saw her with so much colour before ;
her eyes are very sparkling, and she is quite lively ; but

i'y

THB CANADIAN O.IRI*:

1 observed no wildncss, that is, sir, not muclb, scwcfe lay

i\\\vf[ to speak of."

*' Bo 80 kind as go back to her, Miss Anderson,'* s*i((
tlie Doctor, " and do not in the least oppose her humour.
J »vill come to you in half a minute."

Juno went ; but returned in alarm — '' Miss Leo has
fiistenod the door !"

The liousevvas greatly disturbed. The Pastor knocked
lirst, ami l)esonght his granddaughter to draw back the
bolt, but rc'coivod no answer. Then Arthur knocked,
and ontroatcd; then Jane ; then the Doctor: aud lastly*
Deborah. The landing-place was filled with persons,
one only of the inmates was not there, this was — Clinton,
who was heard stalking the kitchen in horror of mind ;
presently, however, he was called to bring up some in-
struments to burst the door, and came on the instant ; but
just as tl)(>y were about to be applied to the lock, its bolt
gave way, and Lucy appeared, like a vision, completely
dressed in whito, with nicety and taste. Upon her arm
was her litllo baslict, filled with flowers, and a white rose,
half withorc'il, was fastened in her hair; the brightest
scarlet liotcd on her cheeks, and she stood upright, and
smiling.

*' Oil, you were in very great haste," said she; " but
on a dark winter morning, like this, one is not so quick
to rise." She then bade good morning to every one
whom she saw, Jisked if the fire was kindled in the kit»
chen, if breakfast was prepared, and if the ice haci
broken. Opposition, the Doctor feared, would increase
hor disorder, and therefore dismissing every person
c[n:etly. except Jane and Arthur, he answered Lucy with
Mse, that the fire was not lit down stairs, for it was as

TIIR CANADIAN GIRL.

ydl too early, and that bo hoped she would allow th«
domegticf and her friends to rest a little longer, at least
until the sun was entirely up. To the reasonableness of
this she agreed, but persisted in walking out to see what
quantity of snow had fallen in the night, and put on her
bonnet and gloves. The Doctor now assumed a dif-
ferent manner. ,1 MiiiiiLtiHJij . tidt 1o olhu ■ '.'It
, ** My dear Miss Lee," said he, very imperatively^
•* you must not attempt to go out." Oj^jx.. or»ii
" And why not, Mr. Bathurst ?" said Lucy, taking
the candle to the glass, and setting her bonnet in shape.
" Why not. Miss Lee ? — why not ]" cried the Doctor,
with well-sustained firmness, " why think you I would
suffer my aaughter to go out to see how much snow ia
oa tue grouud — ^before daylight? — No, no. — Indian!
may be about — rattlesnakes may havo crept i'roni thult
dens — ^bears may havo come down from the mountains-
there may be wolves, wild-bulls, wild-cats, and other
fierce animals, of our wild regions abroad, and those
have no respect at all for young ladies, Miss Lee."

** You think your daughter, Sophia, would not go out
now ?" said Lucy, dubious of her purpose.

** I am confident of it — I would not allow her to go
out"

Lucy sighed, looked at the window, and at Doctor
Bathurst, then bursting into tears, allowed herself to be
controlled. The Doctor whispered to Arthur to go and
■end Deborah to assist Jane in taking off Lucy's clothes
as quickly as possible. Lucy remained passive, took a
draught which was administered to her, and, while tha
Doctor waited on the landing outside, was again placed
in bed. A doxcn leeches were immediately applied to

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

her temples ; other active meani were also retorted tii«
and the utmost stillness was maintained throughout the
bouse.

The same morning it was known in the lodge that
Chnton intended, almost immediately, to take leave of
the valley. Here, m at Farmer Joshua's, he had been
a favourite of the subordinate members of the family,
and they all were grieved by the intelligence. They
had expected that he would have been the husband of
Miss Lee, and the announcement, therefore, that he was
going to a distant part of America, would have excited
surprise and disappointment at any period — how much
more, then, at tlie present I It was unaccountable io
them, that, attached to Lucy as he had appeared io
he, he should choose sttch a time for quitting her, and tot
quitting her, as it seemod — for ever.

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OAHADIAN OIRL.

,;; . . ■ ■ ■'■* -

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CHAPTER VXI.

« . . • ' • <

• Tfc« grief that on my quiet preyn.

That rend* my lieart — that ohecka injr tongv*,
' •' it in 'I I ''■'■U' will last me all my dayi,

But reel it will not last me long."

On the third evening of her illness, Lucy, still wag-
tterinj( in mind, contrived to elude the vigilance of her
triends. She persuaded Jane, who sat with her, to go
into an adjoining room, pretending that she wished to
sleep, and could not while any one was in tlie room.
No sooner, however, had Jane disappeared, than Lucy
darted out of bed, and searched the room for her clothes,
making no noise whatever. She was unable to find any
of them, for they had been removed by the orders of the
Doctor. She looked round bewildered and perplexed,
until her eye chanced to light on a white morning dress,
hanging on a nail. Instantly she took It down, put it
on, and whispered, " This will .do — this will do ;" then
tying the strings around her waist, said " though it is
Christmas, the wind is warm, and I know Clinton ad-
mires me in white.*' She sighed twice, and sat down with
an air of frenzied melancholy, taking into her hand a
paper of verses which had been addressed to Mt bf
GUuloB.

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TftE CASATDtXN' dlRL.

All at oncrt she seemed to recollect where Jane wa«,
and adroitly fastened her in, still without making any
noise. Having performed this, she smiled, and, like a

1 bird let loose, ran out to the landing, and listened there.
Jt happened that no one was on the second story, and
she went from room to room without being observed.
She talked to herself, and seemed to enjoy her freedom.
Occasionally, she laughed soflly and joyously. Hero
she opened a window, and there she siiut one. In one
place she turned over a half-filled cask of apples, in
another a box of seeds. She set chairs in their order,
picked up from the straw -matting of the floors whatever
bits of flue had escaped from the bods, then went dowa
^irs, and passed out into the opi'u air unpcrceived.

'»'>'' By cautiously choosing her way, she reached the
Marble Fountain without interruption, and sat down^
listening to the dash of the waterf;!!!, and to the screaming^
of the birds lluttering about it. Her smiles ceased ; she
dropped tears; she shook her head; she sighed; and
spcko pathetically to the objects she saw. "" ■■ '"•***

Clinton had been wandering alono, over the valley,
taking a filial view of the principal beauties it contained,
i-cloro preparing for his departure. lie had reached a

'■ detached height by the cascade, on the top of which
he now stood; tho beautiful sheet of water leaped from
cranio crag, almost within tlio roacli of his hand; its
last fall into the white marble basin below was fifty feet

. in depth, and coloured with brilliant tints as the sun shone
on it. Hardly less beautiful than this fall, wore thefina
vapours, which congregated above it, and the dazzling

^ white foam below. ''-^^ '^ ^"' ■ ' ''' '^ '^''- '">'--

Clinton held by a tree near the edge of a rock oil

THE CANADIAN OIRI.

«f nose sloping sides grew dark pines and cedars, llie
toncheii, leaves, and bark, were ever bathed or sprinkiool
^th brUIiant spray, which the wind had caught up, and
ehed over them. On the other side of the full, also, thick
woods rose on ascending rocks close to the torrent. 'I'ha
•wntrast of colours was truly fine. Here, Clinton feas^od
hi« luxurious imagination, and repeated to himself in a
loua voice, overmastering the din of the waterfall, lines
from Byron's Childe Harold. The wildness of the scene
piieased his lawless humour ; he felt himself as a part of
it; the hurrying rush of the water resembled the quick
tide that rolled in his veins; the eccentric motions of the
spray, spread momently by the breeze to the sunshiiise,
now high as the cascade, now far on the right hand or cm
the left, was like his inconstant fancy.

While he stood gazing, listening, yielding to sensations
npid, vivid, and ecstatic, a darkness came over the sky,
which induced him to turn his eye upwards that he mijgrfat
discover the cause. Two huge clouds, of a fearful biacjc-
ness, were rolling from opposite sides over the valley;
the eye of Clinton was rivetted upon them, filled with
a tumultuous delight. Prudence would have urged him
to descend from the rock and to seek the shelter of the
lodge with speed, for the violence of the Canadian storms
Vie na I before experienced ; but he disdained to listen to
prudence, and stood firm, awaiting the shock of the thunder
which he knew must follow the meeting of the two clouds.
On they moved, majestically slow, until there was only
a navrow fissure between them, from which the sunlight
descended in slanting rays. The lowing of the terrified
•rattle could be hoard from the sheds whither the herds-
JUka had iust driven them ; the wild ducks, that had been

f»»

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

oeacet'uily floating on the marble basin and its aiverg;n((
utream, hastened in flocks to the bunk, and took sneiier
under a clump of willows and alders; several head ol
wild red deer hurried to the woods which clothed the sides
of the valley, and the noble creatures panted for tear;
some fawns were with them, whom they stopped once to
lick with evident signs of anxiety; the beaver looked up
} out of the pond as if putting forth all its sagacity to dis-
cover the cause of the strange closeness of the atmosphere,
and as the thunder reverberated among the hills, it sirucJc
the water with its tail several times, to acquaint its com-
panions in their castles below that some unusual peril was
at hand; birds of splendid plumage flow by liuudreus
and by thousands tlwough the air, giving veutto wild cries
of distress; a shot from an adveuturous and unernng
hand, brought down the largoat of them, on which the
eye of Clinton had been turned, 1I;j pursued with bis
gaze the fall of the fluttering victim, and saw the two
Indian twin- brothers, Sassa and Taota, raise it from the
ground. „,., , ^ ,,f. , :=,.;.,,.,., ,,,.,.;, :. ..Hot mi .:.;.):

*' Ha! they are hardy follows — they are worthy to be
called braves ! Well done — well done !" exclaimed
Clinton in delight. " Tlie tempest, aha, it does not
appal them! they are brave spirits! they know no touch
of fear! Their minds, I swear, are (oiupestuous I and
their blood is not tame and watery ! They I'tke the ro;ir
of the thunder; and when the liglitulngs fl:ir,h, wiiy thoy
help it with the flame of their gtuij«)\vilcr !>> Jjvi'l
that was a conlbimded blaze!" lie hhacicd his eyes lor
the moment, as sheets of eiectricai ilio cuvcldijed tuf
TalJty When he j^igain looked below, he ob^orvcd that
the Indians were running to the lodge, .'\nottier tru-

THE CANADIAN GIRL, W

niendous peal, of thunder, aud ^vith it another descent
of lightning, subdued his daring a little — and but alittle. "
He overmastered his rising terrors, and compelled him-
self to fix his eyes on the line which still marked the "
outline of each cloud from that of its fellow ; and truly
no grander sight had ever man beheld. Momently now
that fissure closed and opened, raining sheets of the most
beautiful rose-tinted fire, vivid aud broad; with these
sheets came deep-red, sharp-angled forks, glancing in
every direction down to the earth. Every second Clinton
expected to see one of those deadly darts aimed at the
buildings of the valley, or at himself; but pride made
bim insensible at present to the fear of death, and he
stood like some young deity of old Greece, defying the
elements with his scornful and yet admiring glance.
The rain burst down as if a general deluge was com-
mencing. The ground smoked every where ; the thunder
and lightning were almost unceasing ; and the pressure
of the atmosphere was nearly suffocating; globes of fire
seemed falling from the clouds, which now lowered them-
selves still more. At times, as the storm raged, Clinton
fancied he heard cries in the valley, as of persons hal-
looing in alarm. Presently he perceived the figure of a
man, whom he thought to be Arthur, running over the
grounds around the house like one distracted.

" ITiere must be something the matter," said CUntoi: ;
and seizing the roots of a tree, at the uttermost extremity
of the rock, he swung himself over upon a projecting shelf^
and there obtained firm footing. With a step as steady
as any mountain hunter could boast, he trode along
to the end of this .shelf, from which he leaped forwards
npon the summit of another rock, that was as soft as

-i;)

yelvet to the foot, and shaded with five or six inoit
ancient trees, standing separate from each other; imtn
here he again heard the shouts of men, which the ram
and the thunder again over{)owered.

** Perhaps the lightning has struck some part ol toe
lodge!" cried Clinton, aloud, pulling his hat on more
firmly. » - • • i- ■'

A solitary woodpeckor was hopping about this verdant
platform, half drowned with the rain ; Clinton caught
the little panting thing and put it within the hollow of a
tree. His deficiencies were not on the side of sentiment,
but principle. The poor bird shrunk instantly to the
vkest part of the hollow trunk, and showed no dis>
position to move. Clinton had not lost half a minute
with it ere he descended with intrepid agility the side of
this rock also, and alighted on a round hill, from which
several rivulets and streams flowed over into the marble
basin. There was a path leading down to the ground
from here, but the violent rain prevented him from
availing himself of it, as it now formed a channel for the
pouring water. He did not hesitate long, but descoiuird
by clinging first to one tree, and then to another, on the
Ride next the cascade, where the hill slanted out. >'••

When he stood on the level ground lie looked up, and
scanned the way by which he had come down with no
small portion of surprise at his own hardihood. Exul-
tation then swelled his breast, and he confronted the
rtorm with a glance that seemed to say, " I who have
accom«?]ished a feat like this, will not tremble before
voul"

Turning round, he saw a figure in white, lying near
*\ie foot of the cascade, apparently dead. He felt a shocK

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

lot

ot fear. At first he could only stand gazing on it^ while
flashes of lightning quivered about the pallid face. The
marble fountain was apt to attract the lightning, by means
of the great height of the trees on its edge, as well as with
the cascade itself, and hence it was considered a dangerous
spot in a thunder storm. Poor Lucy, in her bewildered
state, fancying it was Christmas, had watched the storm
come on, and expected a fall of snow When she found
the valley grow so dark, she said to herself, *' Christmas
is likely to be severe this year ; hail may be coming — I
will get under the thickest branches of these trees, and
Clinton will seek me presently with a mantle, in which I
shall wrap myself, so that the storm will not touch me.**
She had not sat five minutes under the trees when a
thunderbolt clave in sunder the root against which she
leaned, and she was laid prostrate. Clinton shook off
the paralysing surprise he felt, and hurried to her, just
as the Pastor and Arthur appeared. A few hurried
exclamations, a few rapid questions aad answers, were
all that passed, before Arthur bore his sister back to the
house. The Doctor again bled her, and, to the joy of
all, she revived, in the full possession of her senses.

She remembered nothing of what had passed since the
moment when she fainted by the tulip trees. She was
alive to all the misery of that moment, and as her ey^
fell on Clinton, who stood at the foot of the sofa, sue
coloured painfully, and hid her face. He ventured
once to approach her, and silently pressed her hand,
which trembled like an aspen in his grasp. This was
his farewell of her, for she never saw him afler. He HM
the same evening wandering from the valley, nefcMiriiot
whither— «ared not whither. „ . «

r-y* »»jl»'J»i« i».

102

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

/ii :1

■ Vv!

No one <liirst tell Lucy that he was srone. The storm
was over. A splendid evening ushered in a night of
Ibeauty. She was not removed from the sofa of the family
apartment, and when the family were all withdrawn, she
sat up partially, and looked through the windows with
eyes full of calm tears. Jane, who was still her com-
panion, about eleven o'clocis, brought her medicine to
her. When Lucy had drank it, she looked at Jane with
an expression of affection, and rested her head on her
bosom. '•■''•^ ■''• <* '1^ J'^*' nr;vv •, • '/i ,.. . • »j>: ■ i 'i. ".' *

" Give me your hand, Jane," she murmured in weak
tones ; '* here, on my heart. • Jane, I had hoped to see
you married to my brother, but I must now relinquish
the hope. I am in my last sickness — I feel it — [ know
it" There was a mournful silence. Jane could not
trust herself to speak, but she bent her head and kissed
with fondness the pale forehead which was supported on
ner bosom.

** How pure — ^how celestial !" Lucy exclaimed, locking
her hands in each other, as she beheld the moon, and the
cither round that fair planet, which was of a surpassing
green, ineffably woven with her light. " How wonder-
fUUy lovely !" a veil of rich purple cloud was stretching
across the moon's track, filmy and transparent as the web
of the gossamer. >«;-*{»£ K-ii i \'tmnii -ju, \ix. oi ottU: ,

Neither of them stirred while this effect was operating,
liit both sighed with a solemn rapture. Presently,
Lucy said, " This is such an hour as best suits death.**

♦' My dear Lacy, you are sad," said Jane.

Lucy rejoined, " You think so because I speak of
death. But why is death sad ? Does it not seem that
it should be otherwise ? It ought to be pleasant to us

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

»»

lQ dip. Christians sboul(( rejoice to die — for to them th**
<tark portals ot'the grave are openings to glory.'* ,,

Hitherto she had not mentioned Clinton or the ecu-'
vprsation she had overheard ; and the Doctor had directed
that no one should speak to her upon any subject likelv^
tu cause her agitation. But now she whispered — " Jane,
how was it /te was not present during family prayer, jt^,
ni^fht?" " • .' *,-•' *: ... ..

Jane was at a loss how to answer. She could not bear,
to say any thing that was not strictly true ; yet, to tell
Lucy the truth, was impossible. Her invention was not
very quick, and her feelings were so much exqited, tKiat
she could only again kiss the forehead of the querist in

*• Vou weep, Jane," said Lucy, after a brief pause^
.hiring which she had been meditating. Then throwing
iiorself liom Jane's supporting arms, she sat upright, and,
iis the moonlight fell upon the face of her sympathisintr
companion, viewed it with attention. " There is grief
in your countenance," said she. " Grief for me ! O
God ! hold my heart firm while the blow lights."

Jane wound her arms around the sufferer, poured into
her ear the softest words which pity and sensibility could
furnish, with the most natural and yet earnest manner ;
and in the extremity of the need, might perhaps have
said something more or less than the truth, had not her
organization been so unerringly true to her principles, that
she was compelled to tell the secret by violent tears.

liucy was unnaturally calm ; she spoke with unnatural
iirujness: — '* I know you have something to tell me, and
) Hssureyou it is idle to think of hiding it from me. Has

("ituton gone ?''

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THK Canadian oirL

rhis question was asked with a c{ecisivuaDrliin|u> tl*.ve
one, that Jane could not evado, however she inigiii wisn
to do so.

"* If our silence tells me," said Lucy, closiiiir horovi's,
ind sinking back on ner pillows ujwn the sofa — '' vuur
silence tells me." Jane hung over her : " How shall L
comfort you ?" she said. ounvf ' i, i

" I now know the worst that can befall me," was
Lucy's only rejoinder. The sofa was large, and so ar-
nngedthat two persons might lie with eiise upon it. Jane
placed herself by Lucy's side therefore, and, very soon,
fell asleep. When she awoke the sun was shining liul
into the room, she turned herself, and took the hand ot
Lucy — dropped it — it was icy and rigid ; bent her hea<i
down to her mouth — but found no breath there ; laid her
hand on the heart which last night had ached so sadly —
but it had ceased for ever to beat ; and then throwing
up her arms to heaven, screamed, " She is dead ! — she
is dead !"

The wild grief which spread through the house was
dismal indeed. The lament was loud and vehement.
Arthur, who had given Clinton the coldest adieu possible,
on the evening before, was now filled with the bitterest
rosontment against him. He looked upon his sister as a
victim to his cold-blooded vanity. He felt that her death
was to be attributed to Clinton almost wholly. The
Doctor strengthened this idea, by saying, that although
there certainly had been signs of a consumption havinir
fastened itself on her constitution, yet, had she liveo
quietly and peacefully, with a tranquil mind, she might
li.jvp ijot. over it. Jane repeated now the whole of Olin-
f uu's conversation which Lucy had overheard, and Doctor

THK t'ANADrAN IJIRL.

lo.j

Bathurst did not hesitate; to say that it had hoon the
shock she had then received which liad caused her to die
so suddenly.

The sofa on which Lucy had expired, and on which
she still lay, was lifted with care into the middle of the
apartment; two handsome windows, eh^rrantly hun;^"
with summer drapery, threw the rays of the sun on it.
The body had not yet been disturbed. The three women-
servants, silent and awe-struck, stood at the back of the
sofa. Jane knelt at the front, sobbing and weeping.
Arthur, witli masculine intensity of agony, leaned, tear-
less, over the upper arm of the sofa ; his look was con-
centrat(?d, his lips sternly compressed, his face pale, and
his e^^es turned on his sister's lifeless countenance. It was
for his sake that no one moved for some time. There was
something in his bearing which would have imposed
stillness on the most careless individual. All present
were conscious that he was sulfering a depth of anguish
greater than they had ever before witnessed or experi-
enced. All remembered that she was his only sister ; that
he had never been separated from her a week since his
birth ; that she had been his friend, his confidante, on
all occasions; tiiat she had shared his domestic happiness,
his domestic cares ; and that they had so tenderly loved
each other, that no one could speak of an hour in which
they had been seen or heard to be at variance. Their
tempers had exactly harmonised; their sentiments had
been exactly the same ; they hadhcd the same tastes and
the same interests ; lastly, they had loved at the same
time, and under similar circumstances, though hitherto
with different results.

But when the Pastor entered, to look upon the relics

'"?:■*

100

THK CANADIAN (illll,

I I

■t:'

of his jrniii(l(livn(;lit(>r, lio inspirod fvcii iiioro syiu|);vtliy
tlian Artliiir, if that wore possible. I lo leaiifd upon
tlio Doctor's anil, and his liiuhs trotnblcd ; cominu; toiukI
in front of the sofa ho foil upon liis knoos by tho sido of
Jano, solemnly n'poatinir the words " Our I'athor — Thy
will 1)0 dono — '' .y will bo done." Ho rcmovod the
oountcrpano from thi' arms and nook of tho body. Tho
hands wore plaood palm to palm, near the nock, and bo-
tw(!on thom was a pioco of paper, which tho Pastor drew
away with dillicnlty. TIkm-o was oaj^orncss and curiosity
manifested on each countenance present. A few versos
were written on the iinior side of the paper, in a (ine,
bold, running hand.

" This is Clinton's hand-writinu," said Arthur, scan-
ning the lines with a (laming eye.

" The Lord forgive him," said tho Pastor, " for trifling
so fatally with the hai)i)inoss of an unsuspecting girl."

These verses were in a passionate strain, flattering her,
and avowing an attachment for her of the most ardent
nature.

" Dear, broken-hearted "irl !" exclaimed Arthur.
" Would to God this specious villain had never come to
our valley ! And now he is gone to employ his arts where
other maidens, as happy as Lucy has been, may become
as she is ; where ho may desolate other homes as ho has
desolated this ; whore ho may win other hearts as he won
my sister's, and cast them forth, like hers, to grief and
death."

" Sorry am I, indeed," said the Pastor, " that I
brought him to this house. But do not reproach me
with that error, my ^I'andson. I was deceived In him as
Lucy was. 1 saw, as I thouiiht, sometlunij excellent and

f #»

TUK CANADIAN OIRli.

107

nticoiiMiioii ill liiiii. His m.-iiniprs doccived mo. 1 1 is
attaiiiiiu'iits clcccivod rnc. Since ho ciimo licrc, except
in this sad circumstance, h(! has (ondnetod liinisell" well.
lie has made hims(>lf agiveable and usci'mI. I ohserved
his attention to my liUcv, as 1 ditl yours to Jane, and I
pleased myseli" wiili anticipating many years to como
happier than aiiv that had <rono before. I thomdit to
have married the two ciiildren of my ncver-lbrgotten
daughters, to the objects of their choice, and to have
spent my old ago with them in traiuinillity, under the
favour, and enjoying the bounty, of gracious heaven.
But be the will of God done!" Here he uplifted his
hands, and tears flowed from his eyes. Arthur raised
him to a seat.

*' Forgive me, my iionoured grandfather," said he,
" if, when I said would to (iod Clinton had never come
hither, I seemed to repn^ach you who introduced him.
My heart, I assure you, was clear of any thought of blanu!
to you ; and what I suffer now would be grcatlv affizravated
if you, in the least, were to blame yourself. You are as
blameless as our beloved Lucy was."

-' No — I now see otherwise," said the Pastor. " I
was very wrong to sufTer my grey hairs to bo so imposed
u|)on. Discrimination, caution, and a calm judgment,
should attend old age— but I have shown neither : I have
been partial to this young man with the heat and impulse
of youth— I have my punishment ! Ah, my son, I have
my punishment!"

" Grandfather, I beseech you, add not to the sorrow
of this dreadful morning by casting reflections on your-
self," said Arthur. The Pastor put him aside, and
turned his face to the bodv.

' 1'

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Till-: CANADIAN OIUL.

His anguish bocamc so ovrrpoucriiiij that Doctor
liathiirst, with IVioudly viohMitv, foiciul him from i\\v
room. Doborali and hor follow-sorvaiits, with many a
piteous (»xp:-ossioii, and many a sincere tear, decently
jjrepared the l)ody for the grave. The house-carpenter
constructed a beautiful and durable colTiii of bhick wal-
nut wood, and Jane lined it throughout with white satin.
A melancholy task ! but she went through it with serious
serenity. Slu^ had endured many trying scenes bcli)re
this, and she felt that many more were before her.

No vandyked shroud, that thing of " shreds and
j)atches," that most unseemly of modern inventions, dis-
figured the lovely corpse; but in its stead was put on
a simple white dress, drawn to the feet in graceful folds.
VVHien the remains of Lucy were thus ready for burial,
Jane, as she looked at her, could not refrain from

savinjj-

" ' O lovoly ap|)oarnii(;i' of dcalli !

No Niglit in till' vvciriil Ik ko i'iiir;
Not 111! the L'.iy I'iii;. iiiits nf iNirlli,
Ciiii witli a (Iciul body coiiniaie.' "

THE CANADIAN fJini-.

JO'J

CI I API' 10 1{ VIII.

" Hut iu)W (liy yoinifrf'st, dt'arcst oi\r has ii('!i-<li'il,
Tlio mirM'lini,' of thy wi(I(>wli()(ul, wtin j;rcnv
Like II iiuii> ttiiwor l<y moiiu^ hikI niaidi'ii diirisli'il,
A rid iVd Willi tnii'-lnvc li'iirs iiiKti'.id of di'« ;
Most niusicul of mouriiors woop ftin'w !
Thy oxtrcini' hupo, llio lov(>lii'st and the last,
Till' bloom, wliosc petals iiij)t lii'fori' they blow
Diod oil the proniist' of tlio fruit, i» waste,

'J"ho broken lily lies — th(> storm is overpast." — Shell ■ji.

On the second day after Lucy's death, Arthur went
out to the spot he had selected lor a burial place. It was
a little elevated above the level of the valley, and formed
a square, backed by a mountain ; it was well shaded,
especially at the boundaries, with hitjh and slender trees ;
anil was as solemn and retired a spot as any that was to
be found throughout the valley. The grass was very
high, of different sorts and colours, and matted. In some
parts American reeds rose to the full height of a man.
A labourer was employed in enclosing this spot with oak
palisades; another was digging in the soil. Seeing Ar-
thur, the latter cried out —

" It's of the right sort, master ! I thought nothing
but fine deep clay could bear such a burden of grass as
we see here."

110

THE CANADIAN' GIKL.

klVA

Arthur walked to him, sighing, as he waded through
the weeds and clover,

" Clear off" the decayed vegetation," said he, in a
voice low aad unmodulated; "make the ground in trim
condition. Carry a path through the middle, and cut a
i'ew steps to the ground below."

" It shall be done, master, as cleverly, I guess, as by
any yankee, or old England man, be he who he may,"
said the States field-labourer, commencing operations
with lusty readiness, that, to do him justice, sprang as
nuich from honest sympathy, as Ironi the love, of gain.

Arthur passed over the enclosuif, sometimes stopping
with folded arms, his eyes fixed on the earth, a id then
viewing the place with a careful and sorrowful eye. At
length became near the centre, where four of those most
melancholy looking trees called the cypress, grew in pairs,
leaving sufficient room between their twin-roots for two
roomy graves.

" Here," said he, " the ground looks as if no mortal
ibot had ever trodden on it since the world began. Here
shall my sister lie —

' And from her fair and unpolluted flesh
May violets spring.' "

He went back to the busy labourer, and after a pause,
during which his emotion was great, said, pointing —

'• You see, Jacob, that middle space between those
lour trees — "

" Yes," said the man, " I was noticing it this morn-
ing; and, thinks I, it will just do, I guess,, for — "

The agony visible upon Arthiu-'s face checked the
speaker. The former laid his hand upon the labourer's
ann, and said, in scarcely audible tones —

:ll

THK CANADIAN GIRL.

Ill

" Make it with the head to the hill ; lot the depth h(!
not spared, and smooth it well at the sides."

" That I will, master ; it shall be as neat a gi-ave as
over was made in the Upper Canada country. You may
depend on me. And when am I to have it ready ?"

" By Saturday," Arthur replied.

" Saturday be it then," said the man. " You need
not trouble yourself any more about it. The stakes will
be driven in round the 'closure, and all done as you have
ordered, take my word for it, master."

" I may depend on you, Jacob ?"

" Unless I fall mortal sick, or die, all shall be made
ready here by Saturday, as I hope in the Lord. Yes,
to a sartainty, you may depend on my word."

" Very well; on Saturday evening, Jacob, I shall
come hither, as Sunday is the day fixed for the interment,
and if you have kept your word, and all is prepared as I
wish, it may prove to your interest."

" I am not thinking of my interest, master," said Ja-
cob, wiping his eyes, and then pressing down the spade
in the soil with his foot.

On the Saturday Jacob had finished his task. The
grave, the path, and the few steps leading up to the path,
were made. All but the freshest grass and reeds had
been carefully removed ; the palisades were completed,
and evergreen shrubs were planted close to it on the
inside ; besides all this he had placed a wooden seat
around each pair of the cypress trees, by the grave, and
had planted the borders of the path, which conducted
thither, with simple and hardy flowering plants.

" Will it do sir V said Jacob to Arthur, as they
walked alonj; to the o-ra\e.

112

THE CANADIAN GIKL.

■«■ E'l

^ |- ■- i

" You have exceeded my expectations," said Arthur ;
" and next week I shall raise your hire, and make you
a sharer in the product of those two meadows under the
great crag which bears my name. I have for some time
proposed to advance you. No thanks, Jacob — I am not
in a mood to receive them. I am grateful to you for
this favour you have done me. Now be so good as go
to the house, company are arriving, and your services
may be required ; you may put up their horses, and
assist the other servants, who are all as busy as they can
be in p.eparing for to-morrow."

Jacob accordingly went to the lodge, in compliance
with his master's request, leaving Arthur musing alone.
The Pastor was shut up in his library, where he had re-
mained almost unseen durinj^ the past week. Jane was
compelled to receive all the friends that came to tlie
valley on this occasion, and they were not few. Among
them were Miss Bathurst, Farmer Joshua and his wife,
and a son of the latter, who had once been an admirer of
Miss Lee. It was usual for many persons to come from
settlements around to the Sabbath services, conducted by
the Pastor in a large log-house, on his grandson's estate.
Those who came from places the most distant sometimes
arrived on the Saturday evening, at the lodge, where
they always found a bed and a hospitable welcome. It
was thought the preparations for the Sabbath, by public
prayer, in the chapel, would not be performed on the
present evening ; but the place was lighted as usual, and
at the exact time the Pastor entered, leaning upon the
arm of his grandson.

There was no pulj)it ; a chair, a reading-desk, and
cushion, included all that was provided for the minister,

. (i

«*

l.c

..{>f.{ ..ft

TIIK CANADIAN OIRL

liS

lae small assembly having for their seats, rude benehm,
chairs, stools, and round blocks of some imperishable
wood. /yrH* *

" My friends," said the Pastor, " since last vre met
here to celebrate the praises of the Eternal, I have lost
one who was dear to me." His voice trembled, but pre-
sently grew stronger. '• Sliall I say lost? You knew
her ; she met with us here from week to week ; she has
sang with us of tke joys of heaven. Tell me, my friends,
is she not living yet ? May not the hearts of the bereaved
iirraly fasten on t]ie belief that ^he is happy, though we
seehernotT' - > ^ ■ • « *

According to the simplicity of that assembly one did
not hesitate to rise and reply to the Pastor — it was the
Indian, Sassa, whose brother sat by him, all the fire of
his eyes quenched in team of feeling. ^,i .^„^,

" My father asks," said Sassa, speaking in tolerable
English, his breast heaving with that enthusiasm religion
so frequently arouses in the soul of the child of nature,
" if our white sister is living yonder," he pointed with
his finger upwards, impressively, " and if she be happy t"
He looked around, standing in a noble position. There
was something exceedingly elevated on his countenance,
his eye was full of a sublime depth of expression. " My
father who has taught us in the Great Book, asks this— >
and Sassa the brave tells his father — ^Yes. Has she not
lived as the Great Spirit told her to live ? — ^therefore she
must be gone to that happy country where the Great
Spirit is. Has she not conversed with the Great Spirit
here, and has He not called her away with his own voice ?
He will not deceive his children. Look and see." Sassa
pointed to the large folio on the Pastor's reading desk ;

)i4

Tin: CAN' A Ul AN OIRf,

'■ 1 '

W gj' 1, . j

ll'J'l

m 1

the minister bowed doivn his face, fur the Indian had
strengthened his heart, and he inwardly thanked Ghxl
for the Words of the convert. " The Red men know that
they will not die,** said Sassa. " They know they must
go away from their tribe, from their wives, and from the
wooda and prairies in which they have hunted — ^but they
will not die ! Ask them ; — they will tell you they shall
live as long as the moon. They will tell you they shall
eat buflPalo-flesh, and corn, and fish, after the earth is
laid on them. They will tetl you the bad Indians will
be punished, the good Indians will be happy — ^veiy
happy. And if the Red men know all this, do not the
White men know more ? Look in the Great Book, and
see." Again he pointed, and the Pastor said to the as-
sembly — '- if^JWij*! 'Mil ■ ^. ; .'1 hilt. '-H-i <.t 'j^tfl;;-);' ^ ;

J *' He has spoken well. Let there be no selfish repin-
ings in Christian mourners hearts. Some are l)ere, who
have lost, like me, beings whose lives seemed as dear as
their own. Ah, friends ! shall we murmur at Providence ?
The Indians teach us lessons, shall we not show them
examples ? Help me to say, God be thanked ibr our
sorrows, as well as for oar joys, for we know that all
things shall work together for gooa to them that love
God."

The usual form of devotion was then gone through,
and did not occupy in the whole a half an hour. A
stranger would have seen a heartfelt spirit of union and
of gravity pervading the chapel, but no sound of grief
would have informed him of the peculiar sorrow in
which all shared, llie hymn last sung, it was well
known, had been a favourite one with Lucy, and tha
Pastor and Arthur were observed to close their booki.

US'

THE CANADIAN OIRU

115

• M

and at the same instant to kneel down. The sympathi-
sing congregation went on to the second verse only, and
then ceased of their own accord. Tlie concluding prayer
was odered up by Arthur, it was brie^ and aflfecting.

On coming out of the chapef the Pastor saw his prin-
cipal communicants collecting around him; each com-
forted and condoled with him, speaking with the utmost
deference and good will. He received their kindness as
it was meant, shook hands with each, and informed them
that the burial would take place shortly after the next
sunrise, in order that the services of the Sabbath might
proceed without any interruption. After this scene, which
had been trying to his fortitude, he returnied to his study,
and spent most part of the night in prater. Arthur, also,
retired to his own room, and remained secluded until th^
day dawned. The family apartment accommbaated all
the females of the house, including the visitors, plain but
clean beds having been put up round the sides. The
coffin had been removed to the chamber which Lucy had
occupied. In the spacious kitchen, ranges of beds ac-
commodated most of the male servants and the male
visitors, the rest slept on the second story. Upon Jane
had fallen the mantle of Lucy's dpmestic authority; all
the house had^been placed uncler her superintendence,
(hough contrary to her wish. ...^ „„.,^ .-r „
^j Just as it was growing dark she went with Deborali
to the poultrjr-yard, and to the small pond adjoining,
where they fed the fowls and swans, a task which had
been Lucy's exclusively, Jane was stooping to caress
one of the stately birds whieh floated close to her,' when
she saw Clinton standing at a few yards distance. His
back was towards her, and he seemed looking at the

lili

JI6

THK CANADIAN GIRL.

iii

numerous windows of the house. She raised herself in
stantly, and turning to Deborah, whispered —

" Who is he standing near us there V*

♦* Whisht, darling ! I know him ; its the villain who
(lesarted our dear Miss Lucy, as O'Reilly desarted me,"
said Deborah, with energy. " 111 luck light on him,
for a desaiver as he is !'*

Clinton turned, and came deliberately near. His tij)-
pearance was much altered. He seemed to have joined
himself to the daring hunters of the woods, for in his
right hand was a carabine, and at his waist a shot pouch,
a knife, and a wallet ; a small pack, also, was slun^ at
his back; a cap of fur covered his head; and he wore
mocassins and leggings.

*' Miss Anderson," sud he, with more respect than
mmiliarity, " will you have the goodness to tell me why
it is that I see the windows of the lodge all curtained so
closely ?"

" Oh ! agrah ! Is it yourself that asks V* began De»
borah, with a wrathful countenance. ** Shame on ye for
a desaiver! and its I that wish you may never meet
with any one in the time to come to love you as she
who lies, poor young lady ! in her coffin, in that same
chamber which you may see over the kitchen, only the
window-curtaras are down and hide it. You know that
same room well enough, you do ; for many's the time I
have heard you playing the kitar under it, witching the
heart out of her with your singing, and so you did, like a
false gintleman as you were, and shame on ye!"

Clinton placed his carabine on the ground, and seemed
moved : — " Miss Anderson," said he, after a minute's
silence, " can jou not so far feel for me, as to permit

!' !

THK CANADIAN OIRU

117.

»♦

me for a moment to viow the being who loved me ?
Deborah, you are kind-hearted, I know ; dismiss your
anger for the present, and contrive to bring me in sight
of the body." liJ *«■ *iMSifu.f»-! jru di

" Me, i? it, that will bring you in sight of Miss Lucy,
poor darling ? — No, that I'll be bound I wont ! We
should have had a wedding in the house instead of a
burying if you had not been a base desaiver! Pll con-
trive no such thing at any rate ! Miss Jane may do as
she will, but you wont persuade me."

She was walking away, but Clinton stopped her,
saying, with a dash of careless and melancholy humour,
*' O, Deborah, I see now how it is with you —

fit]

' ■■'- i • To be wroth with one we love, iiiv* lit ii<a <(Kt
Doth work like mmdnesi in the brain.' .y.

(

You cannot meem all this bitterness against mt ! Do
you forget telling me all about O'Reilly and Ireland ?
Come, I know you will forgive me, Debby! and I can
assure you, if it will be any satisfaction to you to learn
it, that I am far from happy."

" Happy, is it ? Oh, then, ye'll never be happy again
while the world stands, I'll wager any thing," said
Deborah ; but at the same time she relaxed her repulsive
demeanour. Clinton perceiving this, urged his request
to her with such determined persuasion that she yielded,
and turning to Jane, said, ** Its but a trifling matter
that he asks, Miss Jane, darling ; I'm in a mhid, if you
have no objection, just to step with him up the back-
kitchen stairs. Maybe the sight of the corse '11 do his

soul good.'* ri?w ;>'fvt,'t>i'J^*.fn^^«»f%o ':'♦

" You may do just as you think proper," said Jane ;
•• I cannot take upon me any of the blarte." , ,>i - ■

f'ffl

h :

■

1 t

TUt CANADIAN GIRL.

"Live thai to «l©, darling," said Deborah; ami
Clinton, baying gained his point, followed the latter^ as
she led th€f way i»ith a stealthy footstep and an upliiW
finger, to the chamber of death. <

Th€(y reached the chamber unnoticed, and Deborah,
iftying her hand on the key of the door outside^ whispered
" This is the room, Mr. Clinton : you can go in now,
but don''t stop above a minute or two. I will stand in
front of the door, and listen. If I hear arty foot coming
this way I shall give one tap over the lock, and as soon
as you hear it you must come out as fast as your legs
win bear you, mind that." '-»)•, fj^ j,, ,;.wh ., •i.t.r

•' Very well," said Clinton; " only be sure and tnaKe
the taj) soon enouj^jh, and loud enough, for I should not
like to bring blame on you, Deborah, and if I were
seen, I fear you would not find it easy to excuse your-
self."

" Don't stand talking, sir, but go in, and make hastd
to come out," cried Deborah, turning the key softly,
ami admitting him into the room. " Maybe it was wliat
1 ."»a<l no right to do, the bringing him here," she said
to herself, as she stood lisftening on tho landing'^plaee ;
'' but for the life of me I couldn't deny him. Sdre and
it^ tiO marvel at-all-at-all, tliat Miss Li^cy brake her
heart for him. Oh, mnrther! there's Mr. Artfiur
con^ih* ! Was ever any thing so unlucky V* ntu-^ul iitttt.
< She rapped her knuckle on the door, not once Only^
bdt several times, and as the sit'mmons' was not imme-
diately answered by Clinton's^ «ppearaAce, put her head
into the room, and cried, in as loud a whisper as sh«
ooald; produce, " Sir,- sir, Mr. Lee's comin' 1"

♦-By Jove, tfcat^s unfo^tu^tote!" exclaimed CKnto^j

TUP CAIfAPIAN OIBL.

110

ind

mi Aft weedM h«(l hardly left his lips when he hewtd
Arthur addressing Deborah thus : —

" Why are you standing here, Deborah ? Is there
any one in the chamber?" The Irish girl answered
r«ft(^|Iy—

^' Yes, a gintleman, there is, Mr. Arthur."

«^ Who is he?"

" Whisht, sir," said the cunning girl, *' or you will
(jisturb his honour, the Pastor, for he has complained
afore now against talkin* in this passage, which, he says,
di^^rbs him at his prayers." „ > . .» .

*f My voice will not disturb him, Deborah. You have
not answered ray question — who is the gentleman
within?" .......

Deliorah was seised with a fit of coughing, which af-
forded her an opportunity for preparing her next evasion.

" If you plase to step down stairs with me, Mr. Ar-
thur, I have something to tell you, which its my bounden
duty not to concale."

" Surely,'- thought Clinton, " she is not going to tell
him I ain here !!" The next minute he heard them both
go. down stairs, and woujd have opened the dopr, uid
passed '^nt, but it was fastened. , . .

" I have placed myself in a confoundedly awkward
position here," said he, aloud. His voice startled hiip-
self ; it sounded like a rude, unhallpwed discord, ip,
such a scene as this in which he stood.

A small glass lamp burnt dimly on a table ^y t|ie bed

on which the coffin was placed. CHntpn app.«. iched it,

, took it up, and surveyed the rooip, wishing to fix every

object there permanently in hjs remembranpe. A small

drawer in the franiQ of the looking^-gli^ss c$iught his

Uh >i

v. i;

1»0

TUB CANADIAN GIRL.

attention, and he drew it out, almost without intending
to do so : thero w ro some articJos of jewellery which he
had soon I^ncy wcir, in it, an I also a note, folded, and
suners'irihcd to himself. He returned the drawer to its
plfice, l)nt retained the note in his hand, and examined
everv letter of the direction with emotions strange and
poi'jilexfcd. Presently ho opened the pajier, and read
two verses, written in small and delicate characters. He
must have been destitute of feelin«j had they not affected
him. Their simplicity and truth touched the chords of
his better nature, and, too late, he regretted that he had
trifled with the heart that had dictated them. They were
a? follows: —

ri.-r

c'^vt' — mif7«9tsu vTi

F.'ucwull 1 was never wish so true,
As this which Lucy breathes for you ;
AVas never prayer so f'.vent given
1nl>> ''.ic aacret. r' ^rge of heaven.

rtr- ^'

1 ,'

f-f

n .! ■'

y;.. 1

jt c>' **

Wlii'u Lucy's form and voice are gone,

A I () uni! low grave is hers alone ;

When of her faults and griefs none tcH,

May you wit\i health and hopes— FABE-WELL. 'TrjB *

t^tf

**,-t

His eyes filled "itii tears — he was overpowered almost to
suffocation. The note was put in his breast; his feet
approached the bed ; lie bent over the coffin and ventured
to touch the hand which had penned the verses ; it was
cold and fair as unsullied ice- -nevertheless he raised it
an instant to his lips, then dropped it with despair ; he
spoke the name of the deceased girl with fondness and
anguish, but there was no response on her lips. Myste-
rious change! at his lightest whisper, a little month ago,
her heart would have palpitated violently ; her eyes would
have betra;i "^d a sweet confusion ; her cheeks would have
been dyed with blushes, pure and fresh as those of

|f.. j

TUB CANADIAN OIRL.

121

\ ' ''.'

morning ; now, the heart was pulseless, the eye Hnmored
under its dull film, and the cheek had parted with colour
for ever. His power over her could be exerted no
more. A mightier magician, had bound her in his
spells.

The door was unlocked, and Deborah stepped in oq
tiptoe, securing it behind her, and then standing to
listen. Arthur was heard retiring to bis own room.

** It^s a nice predicament that I have got myself in for
you, Mr. Clinton," said she. iRs-i <^liui « Ki,-| r}.n; » ,y;
** I hope you have not told Mr. Lee that I am here,**
said Clinton. n ^,i i.fU, tw, !,>t. V.aHa

" Lave that to me," r,aid Deborah ; " I told him as ^
grate matter, that I'd seen you about the house, and
he's gone back to his chamber — no, as Vm a true ca*
tholic, he's a comin' to this room, and sure enough he'll
come in this time. O, where*)! I hide my self out of his
sight!"

^' Ratbor talk of biding me," said Clinton, looking to
see if there was any closet in the room. There was not,
and he had only just time to throw himself down on th^
floor on the opposite side of the bed, and to bid De*
borah unlock the door, before A?ibur entered, with ^
slow, sad step. Deborah was ve;y busy wvootiying the
furniture about the bed, and dusting the mahogany

posts, ^i^ <' « -i:a J ijEllflfM 01 i rf«*Oil.'i k. ni AtJW m)htil5

" You wilt oblige me by leaving me alone here, a few
minutes," said Arthur ; and his monotonous and sunken
voice, still expressed how much his heart was burdened

*' Oh to be sure, sir— but now I think of it," said she
feigning to be vexed with herself, " Miss Jane said aa
hour ago, that she wanted to spake with you, and I forgot

I{ 'I

132

THE CANADIAN OlltN

to t«li ^ou — but if you would pliue to go to her in the
garden — not on the pond aide, but on the other."

*i I w\\\ go to her shortly, Deborah,*' said Arthur
Lee, '■'•' '"I '.'V ifiii ,i!ri -.^i-m ■ ,£;i;,

Deborah's invention vras now at a stand. She was
obliged to leave the room, and as she went out, she muttered
to herself —

" He is sure to be seen by Mr. Lee, and I'll be bound
he'll say who it was let liim up to the chamber. Suro
and if he had a little raal Irish acuteness in his brain he
needn't tell at-all-at-all. Now IM like to know how I
shall get out of the bog in which I've thrust myself over
the head and shouldhers. It's true, if I'm put out of this
place," she added, " I'd have very little throubleto tiud
another, where I'd get as much wages, and as good
lodging, and boarding, the year round, as I have here,
and no better, for there's no better to be had in any
farm in the Canadas ; and go where I might, from Lake
Huron to the St. Lawrence, I should be happier no where
than I am here. So I'll just listen as near the door as

1 dare, and if I hear them talkin' I'll run to his honour
the Pastor, and tell him how it happened that I let Mr,
Clinton into this house, and if that doesn't get me out
of the scrape I'm in, nothing will, and with the lave of
the saints I must seek another habitation."

Clinton was most uneasy. He feared that his breathing
would betray him, or that he should be compelled to
cough, or sneeze, or make some movement. The part
of the room in which he lay was quite in dark shade, so
that unless Arthur came round to the back of the bea
he was not likely to be seen ; but every instant be ex-
pected that Arthur would come round, and he inwarJiv

TIIK CANADIAN UIRL.

turned his fully in having placed himself in such «itiMi*
lion. '^ '"*""

Arthur leaned in silence over the coffin of his sisteri
and Clinton heard his sobs growing louder and louder,
until the mourner^s tears fell in a copious shower on the
face and bosom of the dead. Such grief, from such a
quiet, sterling character, as Arthur, was too sacred for
any eyo or car but that of heaven, and Clinton would
have givtn any thing to have been out of the room.
Vielding, as he always did, to tlie strongest impulse
which acted on him, ho arose to his fwt, and, with
assumed ease, walked near the door.

Arthur's nerves were Unstrung by the indulgence oi
Borrow, and, though not inclined to superstitioTi, he could
Hot avoid giving way to the instantaneous tonvrction that
it was a supernatural appearance which arose so stiddenly
before hini. fie staggered back, and di'o^jped upon a
chair ; but the blood, which had been driven by the
fthoclt witli violenre from his heart to his face and heart,
nished back to l)>e centre of life with equal impetuosity,
when he recognised Clinton's voice from amid the gloom
which enveloped that part of the chamber in which the
figure stood.

*' However extraordinary," said Clinton, *' my ap*
poarance here may seem to you, I beg you 1o believe,
sir, that I had no other object in entering this chamber,
than that of beholding once more, and for the ksttime,
the fair atid lifeless being before me."

Arthur arose from the chair — ^trembling with passion ;
his ashy lips could scarcely speak the words with which
thny were charged. ..t)

*• Mr. Clinton," at length he said, in very stern and

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

MbdueJ tones, " your audacity is equal to your isiM-
Aooil. It would be incredible to me, that you could be
so utterly lost to true feeling, as to venture to insult my
sister's pacred remains by your presence here, if I did not
see you with my own eyes, and hear you with my own
ears, though really I could almost distrust both my eyes
and ears. Tell me, sir^ by wliat means you gained ad-
Irattauce into this house this evening. Who, under ray
roof, was presumptuous enough to bring you hither?
Whoever that individual was, though it was Miss Ar •
derson herself, she should lose my friendship from this
hour, and nothing shouM recall it.''

** I certainly shall net say who it was admitted me,"
said Clinton, rattling with assumed nonclialenco while he
spoke, the leads in the potich at his girdle. " I per-
suaded thorn with very great difficulty, and they are not
•n the least to blame — not in the least,"

" Your refusal to tell me will be of no avail," said
Arthur, speaking quicker ; " I shall know, immediately
ftiiter the laternient, who it is. I mil discover — and
when I have discoveitedj I shall not forgive. This, how-
ever, concerns you but little. I shall not dispute what
you assert, Mr. Clinton, that to see my sister as she t«,
as t/oti have made her^ was the object which brought you
hither. Bu^, now, I presume, you have gratified your
Curiosity. You have seen her breathless, colourless —
t)£AD — stretched in a coffin — prepared for a grave —
which grave, if you are still curious, you may see near
the cascade. I recommend you to go and look into it ;
examine it well, sir, and feed your vanity with the de-
licious thought that the weak girl, who, to morrow at this
time, will say to the worm * Thou art my sister, and my

i<»

■kf p

THE CANADIAN

GIRL.

.1 .

12.1

nrother,* died of a broken heart — and that Vfiu had bro-
ken it And in the meantime, if you have the courage,
took at your victim in the presence of her brother. Come
near, sir ;" he took up the lamp and passed it over the
coffin from the head to the foot. •' She is here — view
her." He then put down the lamp, and, changing his
manner, walked to the door, and opened it, throwing it
back to the full breadth of the doorway. '

" Mr. Clinton," said he, " your presence here, is an
unexampled impertinence. I request that you will leave
this room, and this house immediately.*

Instead of complying, Clinton sat down on a chair
close to the doorway, and very deliberately drew his belt
tighter, saving — • •. r »

** I obey no man's bidding. I am an adopted son of
the woods. Free as a panther, or an eagle, I now come
and go as I list. I shall lodge in tliis house to-night.
It is the fashion vou are aware for American farmers to
be hospitable. It is also the fashion for American wan-
derers, like me, who become their guests, to remain in
the quarters provided until they arc tired of them. 1
shall not be one to break a good custom. I shall stay
tu-night in this house." ' •

" You refuse to go ?" said Arthur.

" I will not budge a step, by Jove ! Take care Mr.
Lee — take care how you lay hands on me ; I warn you
— you see I have a knife in my belt'*

" By heaven, you shall go !" exclaimed Arthur, seizing
him by the collar to throw him out of the room, and at
tne same time disarming him. A short, but fierce struggle,
ensued ; and Arthur, being much Clinton's superior in
strength and height, succeeded in his aim. Clinton was

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126

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

■ent reeling out on the landing place, and Arthuf dfCilf
the door close and locked it on the outside.

" I am not desirous to disturb tho house," said be^
** and therefore I shall not say any thing more to you^
Mr. Clinton, to-night. To-morrow is the day of my
sister^s burial ; dui'ing its sacred hours, also, you will
be safe from me ; but if, on the day succeeding that you
are about these premises—" " '* ' '" ""' '^'* ']' '* ' '

*' I shall be in them," said Clinton, whose complexion
had whitened into a startling paleness, and whose eye
expressed a most dangerous sense of the indignity lie iiad
received. " And I shall be in them with one intention,
that of seeking from you the only satisfaction for this
insult which it is in your power to give me. On Monday,
sir, either I must have your life — or you mine.'*

" Be it so," said Arthur ; and at that time he forgot
that his principles were opposed to duelling.

They parted. Arthur returned to his chamber and
there remained ; Clinton went to a neat back kitchen,
where the miller and Jacob, the States field-labourer,
were sitting at a small table. They were speaking to-
gether in ui der tones, and enjoying, between the pauses
of their conversation, a jug of cider. Clinton approached
them, and, laying a hand on the shoulder of each fa-
tailiarly, exclaimed— ■•' " " a i'- -'«» ... i

^' Well Jacob andT^homas! are you holding a private
consultation on the qualities of loam and grass, and the
grinding of Indian corn, oats, and barley ?"

" You here again, Mr. Clinton ?" said the miller,
rising, and s'laking him by the hand. " I cannot but
say I am glad to see you, in spite of all that is said to
y;;Uf disparagement. Sit down — take a drink of cid<v."

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

127

** That I will, with all my heart, for I am thirsty, and
p. little tired," said Clinton, dropping into a chair whicb
Ihe miller brought to the table for him*- . .^ ,\..

Jacob, although cooler in his greeting, directly filled
th' him a large horn goblet, wliich Clinton rested on hia
Knee. m .. i. i •

" Yon do not drink," said tlie miller; as he spoke
the goblet fell from the nt'rveless hand which had held
it, and, on looking at Clinton's face, the two men per-
ceived he had either almost or wholly fainted. His chin
sunk on his breast ; his eyes were half closed; and hi?
breathing became iijaydiblt?.

•' To my belief," siiij the miller, chafing his hands^
*' he has not such shallow feelings as some suppose. I'd
be sworn it is the death of Miss Lucy has made hini ill
, He loved her well enough."

Jacob also busied himself in recovering Clinton, but
said, shaking his head, '• Don't Ixelieve it, Thomas; if I
have any skill in reailing signs, he was more partial to
Miss Anderson, and I will tell you why — Miss Anderson
pared nothing for him, JMiss Lee could scarcely live ouf"

of his sight." 4 J i i. •n

,{,L

. ** A strange reason,*' «aid tlie miller; '' the woman
that loved me I am sure I slioiild lov^e."

" But Mr. Clinton is another sort of character, I
guess," sa d Jacob ; " he fancies he knows what the real
afiection of the heart is, but I can tell you that I don't
think he does. All he sought from Miss Lee, all he
would seek from twenty other young ladies, to whom he
would sing, amd recite, and talk soil nonsense, was, and
«rould be, to be loved; but the deuce a grain of true
i9V« would he giye to any one of them. Yet, Thomi^,

fl^

1^1 M^ '■■■

•fM

THE CANADIAN GlUt.

wcnneii ahv.iys iistcn to such as liiin with more fav»mr
\U:u\ to a plain, honest, man. Only to mention Mr. Le**,
\y\\\ in-fore one lady would attach herself to him, a dozen
uonld die for this gentleman here." "«"' -' ^- ' '

« No — no ; you are too sharp in yo.,? discourse, Jn-
cob," said the miller. ,^ ., ,^,;. • ,. , , .■_-

" Who is too sharp ?" inquired Clinton, making a
vcht'tnent effort to recover himself. As he opened his
vyos they fell upon a stranger who had just entered the
kitchen, the house doors being always lefl unfastened,
a"^ it is the custom in most Upper Canadian farm-houses.

The stranger appeared about fifty years of age, above
the middle height, and of majestic proportions; his dress
was that of a French-Canadian mariner, and around his
waist was tied a crimson s:lk sash. Ashe came into thfl
light his weather-beaten face exhibited a truly classic
outline ; it was such a face as a Grecian sculptor might
have given to Achilles — bold, massive, haughty, and
handsome. When he drew off the sable fur cap from
bis head, his ample brows were seen surrounded and
adorned with an abundance of coal-black hair, which
added to the stern efftct of his countenance. In his
^'vp, slept all the dark and fierce passions of which men
are capable, but his mouth was not without softer traits.
Ills voice, like a fine organ, could express every varia-
tion of feeling and passion. It was deep, richj and per-
fectly at his command.

'• Your servant, friends," said this stranger, inclining
h's head to each person present. He slightly started as
he saw Clinton, over whose countenance, just before
jpale to delicacy, a deep and angry flush was spread)n«r.
The former was invited to sit down, which he dio williuu*

TTIR CANADIAN flIRf..

129

ifcsitntion ; and when the cider was put toward him, ho
took it np, and said —

" Thank von, friends ; I will drink a little with von,
if it be airt't'oable; the weather is hot, and I have walked
many miles durmg the last six hours. Yes, this is
capital cider," said he, after he had drank with the
cafTerncss J».nd relish inspired by thirst — " very good in-
deed ; anu I think, in return, I can let you taste some
li(pior of another kind, which is as good in its own way."
So saying, he drew out from a breast pocket a flat
broad flask, and asking for a goblet, which he received,
poured out a little of a kind of strong wine, that cac/i
who tasted, pronounced delicious — nay, incomparable.
This liquor formed a themo for familiar talk, and so an-
swered the stranger's purpose.

" Are you better, Mr. Clinton ?" inquired the miller.

" Qh, yes — ■! am perfectly well, now, 1 thank you.''
As he thus replied, Clinton arose, pushed his chair bacK,
and walked up and down the kitchen, frequently casting
a singular look at the new-comer, who no\7 seemed quite
indiflerent to his glances.

" You have had a death in the house I have heard,*'
said the mariner to Jacob. ../..? •,.,.^ .; ,

" Yes, to asartainty we have," said Jacob ; " and the
house is so fiill of visitors, that I expect you will be
obliged 'io sleep in this kitchen as you can, for all the
beds that could be made up in the great kitchen and
parlour, I know are engaged. First come, firet served,
you have heard that saying in your travels, I dare say.'"'

" i shall sleep as soundly, friend, on the stones of this
.kitchen, as on the best feather bed in the world," said
the mariner. " I have lodced hard and f^off in irv

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130

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

time, I can assure you. I have slept on the top of a
rockin'» mast, on tlie deck of a vessel drenched v.ith
salt water ; and, indeed, in all kinds of rougli situa-
tions." ^ '

♦* I have often slept myself on the ground under a
tree," said the yankee labourer, " with no otlier roof
above me but the sky — ^and a grand roof that was, I
guess, 'specially when the stars were shining ; I )i(vcr
minded the moon half so much as the stars ; I used to
love to lie and look at the little twinkling things, all so
briiiht, and yet so soh^nin like; and the wind would phiy
in the leares, till I fc'll asleep. My gracious, talk of
music ! I never heard any music that went to my heart
like that of the wind in the Uees at midnight; it sung
so wild — now Wgh, now low — sometimes loud, some-
times soft ; I ofti'n likened it to a spirit that had lost its
way in tlie woods, and was grieving to get Wok to its
kindred."

" Poetry — jwetry !" exclaimed the mariner. ^ '^

" Never mind — its truth what I say," said the field-la-
bourer, evincing some tokens of motlesty. " I have not
the gift of tlie tongue like Mr. Clinton there; but I
have seen something of natur', and felt something of it
too. and tlie vkorks of the Lord, Mr. Navigator ;" ho
struck his knuckles on the tabic. *' The works of the
Lord are wonderful, and the works of man are not to be
compared to t' m, wheresoever they are found, and
howsoever they are to be praised ;*' and having pro-
nounced this truism with fervour, he rose, and obtained
a fresh supply of cider. " But the mast of a ship at sea
must have been a queer hanimoclv for you," he resum^df
*• and a deck soaked in brine, would be liltlo better.

t«t, after all, a contented mind is every tiling. Soft is
the bed that content makes, wherever it he. And so I
drink to you — and success to your next voyage."

" Thank you," said the mariner. ' '

Here Deborah entered the kitchen.

'* You have had a hard day of it, Dobhy," said the
miller in a kind manner. " Are the folks all asleep in
the parlour and great kitchen V*

** All in the fair way of going to sleep," answered .she.
«* But what'll I do for Mr. Clinton and the sailor ? There's
no help but they must wait till day break, and then sfot a bit
of slumber in the beds that will be emptied then."

" This bold navigator shall have my place on the
pillow," said Jacob. " The night is not so miglity long
now, and its a tarnation queer affair if I cannot slay up
a few hours at such a time as this." "' '""'^' '*-'^

" And Mr. Clinton shall have mine," said the miller .•
" so give yourself no more uneasiness, Debby, about ao
commodations, but go and take rest yoursell" — yow are
tired enough."

** Fm vexed enough," said Deborah, aside, but in
Clinton's hearing ; then clattering the culinary utensils
on the dresser, she muttered something to herself in the
Irish language.

** Deborah," whispered Clinton in her ear, ** depend
on it I shall not say who introduced me to the chamber,
and Mr. Lee cannot possibly discover if Miss Anderson
plays hei part well. You must instruct her — ^you must
impart to her a little of your inimitable shrewdness and
tact." '*'

" I think you was clane out of your senses," said she,

'* ♦«) jjct np in the siqht of Mr. Arthur >vi(hont (he laast

--•• -• • , - A , - ,- ,-

ISS

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

U> I

i I

necpsslty in tlio world. Ocli ! by St. Patrick, I tliought
!M have dropped when I see you !'*

" How came you to know that I did so ?"

" I was peeping through the keyhole," ans\',\ rod
Deborah.

"Indeed!" said Clinton, smiling; "and how long
were you so engaged pray ?"

" Oh not long, I'd be bound. As soon as I beard you
spake I was off fast enougV lO his honour the Pastor."

Clinton would have ill endured to have heard that
Deborah, or any other person, had been a witness of Iiis
forcible expulsion from the chamber by Arthur, and he
was sensibly relieved by the evident certainty that she
knew nothing of that humiliating Incident,

** But what was your intention in going to the Pastor ?"
he asked ; " to engage him as your friend in the trouble
your kindness had brought upon you, was that it ?"

" Ob, then, you have just hit it. Sure enough I had
no other intintlon. But little luck had I when I went,
at any rate. I might as well have saved my breath to
say my prayers with."

" But what passed between yoi|, and the old gentle-
man ?"

., " Why," said Deborah, « this was what passed :—
I rapped softly at the door, and heard him get off his
knees, and shut up his book. Come in, says he, and in
I went, making a curtsy. He was wiping his eyes, and
seemed in great distress of mind, which uas to be sure
no wonder at all. I beg your pardon, your honour, says
I, for intruding on you in this way. Never mind, De-
borah, says he, is any thing the matter ? Then I saif!
my say, and tould him how I had seen you,'and liow you

TIIR CANADIAN GIRL.

133

ftdd persuacjed me just to let you have aj f^ep at the
bonny corpse of my young missthress, and ho^ Mr/ At-
hur had seen you in the burial-room, and ho# I iVtts
Afraid I should be very (nuch found fault with ; but ho
catches me up sharp, aifld, says he, Delwrah, did you
iay my grandson has seen Mr. Clinton there ? O, sif,
says I, they are both there together this blessed miriUte.
Then, Deborah, he says, says he, you liave nfost likely
done a mischief which you can never repair; and so he
jjoes away without a word riiore to Mh Lee's room, arid
laves me standing in the middle of the floor without
the laast relief for my mind." • -" t'- t m, *^' " •

" Well, ybu lilust make up your mind to the wofs^,
Debby," said Clinton ; " I am heartily son-y that I
have led you into such ah affkir, but it is not to oo
helped now."

" And that's thrue at any rate," said Deborah ; " and
80 I shall keep myself ds asy as I can, and tlio tinipist
may make as big a hoisb as it likes ; the wind may blow
high, or blow low. — By St. Patrick, it shall bo a!! the
same to me! At the worst, I can only be bade to ([uil;
and though I can't deny it would be a heart-sore to nie,
yet I would make no word about the same, but quit,
and quickly too. The world's wido enough — 1 should
not starve — I should find a bit of bacon and a pratec
some where, no fear of that." . ; ,, - .^ .a.. ,

Clinton and the mariner refused to avail themselves
of the kind oflers of the miller and Jacob, and it was ac-
cordingly understood that they were to remain up to-
gether. Before the latter left them, with the intention
of retiring, the Pallor was asked niany questions, such as
to what vessel he belonged— when and where he had left

134

THK CANADIAN OIRL.

it — whither it was bound — what countries he . u\ visited
in it-Htnd what articles it traded in. Clinton at the time
was standing with his back toward the person interro-
gated, but immediately he turned round, and fastened
upon him a look, which the mariner seemed to avoid a
little uneasily ; however, he spoku with freedom enough;
and did not seem at all at a loss for a reply. ; , ; , .

" Why," said he, " my little schooner, that is, my
captaiu's, is a tight vessel enough, draws a good deal of
water, and can bear a gale as well as any ship ; sho
runs fast when there is occasion, and iier crev are a bold
and a jolly set ; as for her trade, she carries peltries
(furs), tobacco, wood-ashes, and all sorts of things. Sho
never stops long in one place, but goes passing about the
great lakes. I will show you with this bit of chalk her
way on the waters."

Seeing many interested faces about, ho drew, with
rough accuracy, on the sr.rface of the table, a kind of
map within a square, on which Clinton looked with the
most curious attention. , « , j„ ,1 ,. ,m ,. .h,,';,

" Now," said the mariner, pointing with his finger
to a slanting chalk line ivithin the leR side of tho
square, " you may suppose that to be i\w St. Lawrence,
(one of the largest rivers in the world, you know,) with
the gulf at this end newt me, opening out to the Atlantic
ocean. But at that end of the river, farthest from me,
fancy my ship takes her start. There," his finger was
placed at the end of the slanting line, and moved along
a stroke diverging horizontally, " where the St. Lawrence
ends, tvfelve miles wide, starts my little schooner on the
Lake of the Thousand Isles, Ontario, which is one hun-
tlkea and eighty-fivo miles long. Here the States are

Tilt: CANADIAN OinL.

la.'i

nn ono side, British U|)jwr Caiiudi on the other. Now
ns we go along, we miiy (hj) iiilo Navy Bay C*'>il a noblu
bay it is), on the English side, or into Qiiinte, or Bur-
lington Bays, or into the bavs on the American shore,
and change our cargo as oi'teii as we can make good
bargains."

'* I'licro iire plenty of steam l)oat8 on Lake Ontario,*'
said the miller, "and canoes in hundreds, I have heard.'*
*' Yes, tltore are," said the mariner, ** and canoes are
plentiful on all the lakes; some of them carry heavy
burdens ton; but, indeed, they are of all sizes."

" Well now," Siiid Jacob, resting his elbows on the
tnble, and leaning his head between his hands, while his
eves were settled on the chalk mark on which the sea-
man's finger rested, " when this little schooner has got
to the end of this Lake of a lliousaiid Isles — "

"Then it takes a turn past Niagara Falls," resumed
the mariner, '• and is in Lake Erie, which is two hun-
dred and fiity miles long. 'Ye may chance to have
rongli treatment here ; navigation is no easy work among
Erie's rocks, and high surf; and then you know, I
suppose, the waters run shallower in this lake than the
others, and that circumstance, with the constant current
setting downwards, and the heavy north-west and south-
west gales, make it dangerous for sailors who are not
exjjert at their craft. Mind, all the way we go, the
States are on one side, and English-Canada on the other."
Now with his finger he turned a corner of the square he
had drawn, and moved downwards on a third line, which
curved a little inwards. " The corner you see is Lake
St. Clair, which is just a sort of passage for us to the
jjreat Lake Huron. This water is two hundred and fiAy

i:ja

TIIF. CANADIAN GIRL.

I I

ii : I

ill '>■,''

miles long, ono liiindrcul and ninety miles broad, and

t'ijjlit hundred and sixty feet deep — it covers five million

acres."

" And all fresh wrator — not salt!" exclaimed Deborah,

who, with a pan of milk upon her arm, was leaning like

the rest over the centre of attraction.

•• Not in the least salt," said the mariner ; " as fresh

%i that milk you carry."

" I have heard th;it it has a great many largo hays
and islands," said the miller.

*' A coiuidoss uumbor indeed," said the mariner; '• and

hy IdoUinf^ in upon some of the Indians, and the half-breed
hunters, and fishers, to be found upon them, wo may
pick up peltries of value, and other articles worth seek-
ing. The coasts are so set with islands and bays, that
Ihey are grand and singular, I can promise you ; and
how many fine rivers flow into it, I suspect is not
known. However, suppose the little vessel to the ond of
Huron, here she reaches the bottom of my square, at this
right hand corner, and gets through River St. Mary
into Lake Superior."

There was now a movement of increased interest around
the table, for this majestic inland sea, and the most re-
mote of all the lakes, had not been visited by any one
v.'hom the listeners had met with before.

" If you are not rocked in your hammocks here," .said
the mariner, " it is not for want of waves ; and tl;cre is
a ground-swoll rolling you about so lustily, that if you
had been at sea a hundred years I would defy you nut
to feel qualmish about the stomach. There are from
two hundred to two hundred and fifty rivers running into
tbfs lake. The coast, on the Canada side, is twelve

nil'. cAN'njAN oinL.

13T

liiindrcd mili-s lonj;; at least, and never eye of man aaw
Kiibliiucr shores than there are to bo found here; but
the mists and cohl are tenibU', and — " " *

*♦ Go on to your next place," saij iho miller.

" Beyond here, I havi: takon a dip into ibe Mexican
Gulf, and Hudson's Bay, but my ordinary route crifines
mb to the four groat lakes I have spoken of, and their
branch insr rivers."

" Ami nray what rank do you hold in this schooner?"
inquired lilinton, speaking to him for the first time, and
in a peculiar tone.

" 1 am a common sailor," was the answer.

*' You have acquired much information on nautical
aft'aifSj . said Clinton.

'* I am supposed to be a tolerable seaman, I believe,'*
said the mariner.

*' Pray did you ever navigate a vessel from England
to the Canadas V inquired Clinton.

The keenest glance was shot upon the mariner from
the quc»-ist's eye, as tho question was put, and the former
evidenLy shrank within himself, while his breath was
catight back in a kind of gasp ; then a terrible gleam of
ferocity was seen darkly lighting his face, and he returned
the glance of Clinton with ono from which the young
man in his turn recoiled.

Tlieie was something strange and unaccountable to
the look rs on, in the manners of the two toward each
other. It was apparent that they had met before, and not
under very pleasant circumstances. No one felt per-
fectly satisfied with the mariner. His bearing had
something singular about it. Occasionally, a smile oi
disdain, that seemed habitual to him, sat on his lips ; he

1™

138

TBB CANADIAN OIRL.

'Hi '

ill
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was thought too well informed for a common sailor, yet,
if of higher rank, why was he disguised 1 Though a
French-Canadian, ho conversed in English, with striking
correctness of pronunciation ; and though, as he said,
a common sailor, he could speak in a superior manner,
without using nautical phrases ; his gestures, too, though
strangely lofly, had a remarkable dignity in them. All
this awakened curiosity, and his leply to Clinton was
waited for eag^erly.

" Why yes, young sir, I have crossed the Atlantic
more than once," said the mariner; " why do you ask?"

" Because I suspect I have seen you before."

" Very likely — ^very likely- ;hr»ngh I have no recol-
lection of you."

" You have no recollection of me !" repeated Cliviton ;
" were you never mate in a vessel that brought out
emigrants from England? I should think you might
remember me."

" YVu will find a little more liquor in the flask," said
the n::driner to Jacob, who had accidentally laid his
hand on it ; " as you are going to rest let me advise
you to drink it ; it will make you sleep sound.

"I -^leep sound enough," said Jacob; "labour in
the o^en air is better than all the liquors in the world U>
make one sleep."

"Yet I have found it insufficient sometimes," said the
mariner. Ho spoke with a gloomy cadence, and his
largo forehead suddenly contracted itself between the
eyebrows.

" A burdened conscience is apt to prevent sleep,"
said Clinton, in a low voice, and pointedly, while at the
same time he involuntarily sighed himself.

THB CANADIAH OIRL.

tso

««It 18 80," said the mariner; *Mmt my conscience
is, I hope, as free as any man's ; anc, I am sure it is as
cleai as yours, young sir " „ . , ^,.

« What do you know of my conscience! said Chn-
ton, now pale as he had been before.

« What do you know of mine V retorted the mariner
« Nothing, it may be," said Clinton, turning away. ^
« But have you been a mate in an American vessel?''
inquired the miller, addressing the stranger.

« If I had," said the mariner, with a manner cal-
culated to put a stop to further questioning, « I should
hardly be a common sailor now.

THR CANADIAN OIRU-

CHAPTRR IX.

51 •

: \ f'

" Oh ! make her n gravp, where the sunbeams rest,
Wli -n they promise a glorious morrow,
They'll shine o'er her sleep, like a smiln from the West
From he»- own lov'd Island of sorrow !" — T. Moore.

The next morning was most beautiful. The vallfy
was filled with the joyous beams of the rising sun ; dew
glittered on every leaf and flower ; the grass which so
luxuriantly clothed the ground every where, might bo
said to be strewn with diamonds ; a thousand birds
darted to and fro among the branches of the trees ; to
be sure, they had not the melodious voices of our English
warblers, and some would have thought their splendid
plumage could not compensate for such a deficiency ;
yet, occasionally, the wild and animated cries of the hawk,
the crow, the plover, and the blue jay, sounded in fine
unison with the scene.

At four o'clock Clinton lifted the latch of the back-
kitchen door of the lodge, and passed slowly along the
path which crossed the garden. A little rain had fallen
in the night, and the flowers which had been refreshed
by it, now gave forth a delightful odour, and their
colours were vivid and lovely. But Clinton heeded
tbem not — he was wrapped in earnest thought

THE CANADIAN GIRI lAl

Beyond the garden he pursued a path which had been
a sheep walk. He descended a lower part of the valley ;
the light brown corn, ripe for harvest, was spread out in
fields on his left, under the wild and steep side of a
mountain. On his right, gilded streams were flowing
over the broken rocks, with lively noises. A mild wind
curled the shallow pools on the ground, and awakened ani-
mation every where. The atmosphere was slightly hazy,
but dry and soft. The sky in the east was superbly co-
loured with the roseate blushes of Aurora.

Clinton had walked nearly a quarter of a mile, when
the narrow way he was upor, began to ascend ; some wild
fowl fluttered past him, he heard the dashing of the
waterfall, and came to a natuisl platform. The ground
rose abruptly, and a few steps had been smoothly cut in
the soil.

" This, then, is the place where Lucy 's grave is made,*'
said he, as he went up to the level of the green en-
closure, and walked cilently along its borders. His
mind was agitated by many thoughts — many recollec-
tions. He reverted to his life in England. Scene after
scene was revived before him ; his school hours, his
vacations ; the aching of heart he had experienced when
his fellow boys rejoiced, for he had no mother to welcome
him back to the mansion he called his home, no father to
bless him. His uncle and his aunt were his nearest
relatives, and these were not kind enough to satisfi'^
the y«|trnings of his youthful affections. How he used
to envy his playmates and companions who had brothers
^t school, and parents and sisters at home. Their lives
seem ed to be regarded as precious. They received the
fondest letters, the most affectionr*e presents. But Ac—

14:?

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

H: i:

• ft

If? I

he ha 1 often, in the vehemence of his feelings, and the
vacuity ol his heart, wished himself dead. " I would not
live over agaii) .ose days," said he, shuddering, " no—
not for an empire !"

Then arose before his memory, pictures of another
kind. Tears, genuine tears, were in his eyes, as he re-
called his first dream of love ; which, by its unfortunate
termination, had given a wrong bias to all his after life.
A high-born young lady, accomplished, unaffected, and
beautiful, had visited at the house where he had found
that he was dwelling solely by sufferance — a dependant,
according to all the painful meaning of the term. He
was carelesslv introduced to her as a distant relative, who
had been educated and maintained by them, and who was
about to be placed in a merchant's office, with the hope
that he might make his way in the world. The painful
fli"sh which rose on the hav-dsome youth's fair cheek, ex-
cited the sympathy of the lady. She found him the most
agi <^eable and intelligent individual in the house, and,
little dreaming of the iatal inroads she was making on
youug Clinton's heart, did her utmost to chase from his
countenance the pain she saw there. She played on the
piano-forte p.nd guitar to him ; i he sketched and painted
for him ; she walked with him ; read to him ; and senti-
mentalised with him. The result had been, his life had
become bound up in her ; he would have lived for her
—died for her. But his attachment, as soon as seen,
was ridiculed. He was told that it was the height of
lolly for him to think of her. She was high-born, he
was low-born ; she, when of age, would have a large
fortune— he was penniless. The lady said nothing, but
obeyed the mandate of her imperious father, and returned

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

143

to her home. Clinton went into a London merchant's
office. To assuage the anguish and mortification of his
feelings he plunged into every gaiety within his reach.
His employers remonstrated with him on the levity of
his character ; his relatives, who had brought him up,
wrote to him didactic letters, written in a severe strain.
All was of no avail. To supply the extravagant expenses
he was incurring, he resorted to petty fraud; his career
was mad and ruinous ; he was, as it were, in a fever, a
delirium, whirled along to destruction at he-^dlong speed,
in a vehicle of glitter, and noise, and intoxication. This
could not last long. He was dismissed from the honour-
able post in the firm to which he belonged, and bade to
leave the house. Now he saw himself without friends,
and without means of subsistence, excepting only such
as guilt might furnish. Before he delivered up the key
of the desk which had been in his charge, he took there-
from a sum of money, which he thoufrht would not be
missed for some days, and absconded with it. A few
hours before his departure, a letter was put into his
hand, which, had he read before he left, would have
saved jiim from the commission of the act. But he had
reached Liverpool, whence he intended to embark for
America with his booty, before he opened the Imporliitit
page. Ah ! the sweat-drops trickled from Clinton's II, r -
head now, as he recollected his perusal of the letter
was from the lady who had unintentionally bewilder '
his imagination, and made him reckless of repiitiiti,)!!.
health, and conscience. It was from the lady wIki., •
lightest word had still magic in it for him. And s!ie
had written to him a delicate remonstrance against the
«»urse she had heard he was pursuing ; had begged him,

144

THE CANADIAN' GTRI*

I I

for her sa^e, to quit it ; liad enclosed him a check for a
hundred pounds, and had given him a hint, which it vraM
madness to him to understand, that if his afiection for
her remained unchanged, she would bestow herself and
fortune upon him as soon as she was of age, provided, also,
that in the intermediate thne (a year) she should hear,
as a proof of his continued affection for her, that he had
altered his way of life.

He threw himself into a post-chaise, and rode to the
seat of the lady's father. Leaving it at the door of a
village inn, he walked over the lawn, and entered the
shrubbery of the mansion. There it happened, that he
saw her alone, sitting thoughtfully, with a book of poems
in her hand, which Clinton had given her. Tliree years
had greatly altered her. Her beauty was tarnished by
the canker of grief, hor eyes were languid and dim.
She shrieked, as he suddenly stepped before her, wiH,
and haggard.

" Lady Hester," said he, " your letter came too late.
I had just given the death blow to my character. I am
come to take a hasty but an eternal farewell of you —
you, who, I swear by all that is holy and true, have
been my single, my only love, since the hour I saw you
first. It has been my passion for you, which has ruined
me. Ah ! Lady Hester, do not forget that, when you
hear me branded in the public annals as a villain — as a
thief. I had taken nearly a thousand pounds from the
desk of my employers, just before your letter was put
into my hands. Had it, O cruel fortune ! had it arrived
a few hours before, I should have been here now, your
Denitent, devoted, and happy — too happy servant for life <
As it is, I fly from justice. I go to a distant land. I

U'\

THE CANADIAN OIHL.

145

sltall SCO you no more. The chaise in which I came
hither, is waiting near. Every moment I linger ex-
poses me to a fearful risk. Adieu ; — your gift I return ;
I have forfeited you, and your money I cannot take.**
The lady's agitation was extreme, but with true patrician
dignity, she forcibly restrained the outward expression
of it Her face, however, became white as marble.

** Clinton," she said, " if you will restore the money,
and remain in England, I will undertake you shall be
provided for respectably ; and then," she added, after a
slight hesitation, '* I shall go to Italy, and reside there
permanently."

He dropped upon his knee before her, and she gave
him her hand, which he held between both his. *' It is in
vain," said he, ** bright lady, it is in vain ! my presence
shall not pollute the air of the land in which you dwell ;
and yet, you shall not be compelled to forsake your na-
tive clime, in order to avoid me. Dwell here, innocent
and blessed as you are. By this time, all London knows
of the loss of the money. Another twenty-four hours
must see me on my way to a foreign hemisphere.*' He
produced a small brown paper parcel, and laid it on the
seat before her, with her check upon it ; " Here," said he,
" are thi-ee-thirds of the money. You would do me a
great service, if you could find any means of restoring
it privately to the owners.*'

" I know one of the partners," said the lady; " I
will order my carriage this veiy afternoon, and make up
the amount they have lost from my private purse."

" My heart is unutterably grateful to you," said
Clinton ; * ' -t now, all that I feel must be concentrated
iu one brief and terrible word — Adieu."

14t

THE CANADIAN OIKF,.

'.i\

" Adieu !'' exchiraei Lady Hester ; " heaven grant
you may live more wisely a. id happily, tl.i.n you have
Mved here, in the scenes to which you are going !" Her
tbrtitude began to yield, she drew her hand away, and
Clinton eight hours after was on board a North American
ship. During this voyage, he lost all he had., even to
his clothing, excepting only the articles he wore. The
vessel, as our readers already linow, was purposely cast
away by the 'mate, and part of the crew. The unfurtu-
nate Captain Barry perished, and Clinton, and three
other passengers, narrowly escaped losing thoir lives.

« Have I," said Clinton, " fulfilled that part of Lady-
Hester's wish, which it was in my power to fulfil — have
I lived wiser since I left England?" The grave of
Lucy answered him in the negative ; recollections of the
lost peace of mind of the Settler's son, lost through his
artifice, also answered him in the negative. He sighed ;
conscience bittefly reproached him.

" Some demon must be propelling me on to my ruin/'
said he, walking quicker. He paused, and then resuir ed ,
" I was ouce told by those relations or< whom I depended,
that my father had been wild and worthless, and my
mother a woman of sorrow, so I suppose I inherit from
him, my erratic diaposition, and from her, my su&^rings.

** I am now," he proceeded, " In tue country of
which I was told my father was a native, and in which
my mother died. Scanty has been the history I have
received of them in England, and who in Canada can I
find to fill up the meagre outlines t Where shall I look
for my mother'ti^ gravel where shall I learn whether
my father be alive or dead. Bo wes a seaman — he
may Vive been swallowed up :n the ocean, or may

THE CANADIAN GIKL.

117

bfl sailing thousands of miles from the spot where his son
now is. My imagination clings to him, whatever he may
hive been, liike me, he may have made himself an
alien from all who valued him. Had we met, we might
have battled with scorn and reproach together. My
mother left an abundant home, I have been f nld, to go
with him on the world of waters. He deserted her, and
her infant, my erring self, in a foreign land ; and she-
returned broken-hearted and alone to her country, and
her early friends. But an innocent sorrow is better to
be endured than a guilty one. He may have been the
least to be envied of the two. My poor mother v/uen she
parted from me, with the presentiment, I have been led
to understand, that she should never see me more in this
WOTld — left with the relatives to whom she entrusted
me, her endeared picture. Iftat I lost on board the ship
in which I was wrecked, and never did article more re-
gi'c^ ted pass iirom my possession. Had I a mine of gold,
I would barter it to regain that picture ; but I fear it is
in the custody of the greedy waves, which would be deaf
to all the offers I could make. As yet, I have heard no-
thing of those two cousins of mine, that I used to be told
dwelt in North America ; my mother^s father^ ivho had
taken them out with him from England, my uncle heard,
had died shortly after the decease of my mother."

His reveries were interrupted by Jacob, who accosted
him with a graver salutation than usual, and said that he
had come to see if the rain that had fallen in the nighty
had washed down any cf the mould from the sides of the
grave. Clinton walked with him to the cypress trees ;
some of the loose earth li" 1 fallen into the cavity v. iiich
had been ring between tlu-m. The American tluvw his

Tim CANADIAN UIKL.

fft I

I t|

W ii li

^paiti in, and stooping, rested one hand upon the grounJ
and sprang in ai\er the implement. While he was eni«
ployed in throwing up the light, fragrant soil, Cliulon oi>-
served the approaching funeral procession— if so pompous
a name might be given to a spectacle so simple and un<
affected. The coffin had been placed before the house,
where a hymn was sung around it, and as soon as the
,sun began to ascend the west, between the horizon «ud
mid-heaven, four men belonging to the farm, took it on
their shoulders — six young ladies, attired in pure white,
bore up the pall, and the funeral slowly advanced.

There were no mutes, no crape head-bands, no black-
hoods, no plumed hearse. The persons who preceded tho
coffin, were the principal members of the Pastor's chapel,
and were all in their ordinary sabbath dresses. The
Pa!*tor leaning on his grandson^g arm, followed next to
the body. The former, wore his English clerical dress,
precisely as he had always worn it, and his benevolent
countenance looked serene and resigned; the latter, in
dark brown cloth 98, neat and manly, also seemed to have
strengthened himself for this melancholy hour. Jane
and Miss Bathurst were two of the pall- bearers. De-
borah in slate-coloured stuff, and a plain silk bonnet of
the same hue, followed, with her fellow-servants, after
the Doctor and Farmer Joshua, with a train of other
mourners.

When the path the procession was upon, which wai
the same Clinton had pursued, began to descend, the
sobs of Jane, and of Deborah, broke the silence that pre-
vailed. On each side were stumps of trees — which are
always seen on ground not entirely cleared, being the
roots and trunks, which latter have been sawn through

•nii: CANADIAN GIKL.

119

breast-higli, tliu U|>riei- parts of tho trees having been
consumed by fire, or taken away for use, and tho lower
parts left standing. On two of these stumps that were
almost covered with bright green moss, the coffin was
rested, while the men who bore it, changed sides. Arthur
covered his ftice until again the procession set forward.

One of the persons who walked first, now commenced
a hymn, which sounded very sweetly and solemnly in
that solitude, among the rocks and hills. By the time
it wasfinished, the burying ground was nigh. Clinton, not
wishing to be seen, had gone to that side of the en-
closure where the mountain rose like a wall, and stood
behind a large detached stone, to view the lowering of
the body into its dark and final abode.

No sooner had the Pastor entered the enclosure than
he opened a prayer-book which he held, and with a
faltering step, attended by the kindest sympathy of all
present, went to the head of the procession, and began
to read the burial service of the Church of l!<n^'*^^ud
At first, his unequal voice could scarcely be hearJ a few
yards from him, but soon it became firmer and more dis-
tinct ; and seldom have wovds fallen more impressively
on human ear, than those of that service, on the ears of
the mourners present

The coffin was not immediately lowered into the grave,
but rested close by it on a board supported by two logs,
wh.'le the Pastor, placing his hand on the lid, read the
subiime lesson from the fifteenth chapter of the epistle
of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

When all was over, and the last look had been taken
of thfi coffin, Arthur lost his self-possession, and yielded
to violent grief.

l.TO

THK r.VNADlAX OIKL.

" My ilt'iir son," said tho Pastor, who was also now
nearly overwhelmed with anguish, " bo comforted — look
upwards !" he pointed to the orb of day shining in tho
sky; *' tho Sun of Righteousness smiles upon us in our
affliction ! Be comforted; this morning air is reviving to
our bodies, and the influence of the Eternal Spirit shall,
in like manner, revive our drooping minds ! Do not
sink, my dear son ; but rather support me, whom age and
previous bereavements have robbed of that mentui
elasticity which youth possesaes. I am in the autumn
of my days — you are in the spring. AH that is before
mo in this world is cheerless, and barren, but you havu
a thousand temporal pleasures in store for you."

" I had but one sister," said Arthur ; " she is gone —
where shall I look for another Y* .

The Pastor said no more, his own heart was quite cast
down. The procession did not return to tho lodgo in
the order in which it had left it. The elders of the
Pastor's little flock came around him, and he walked
first by the side of one, and then of another, leaving
Arthur to give his arm to Jane, in the rear of the coa •
pany. ^

" Now Jane, we have parted from Lucy indeed !" said
Arthur ; " while her dear body was in the house, she did
not seem wholly gone from us, but now — "

He was checked by his tears; Jane, who also wept,
was unable to speak a word to him, but sho lightly
pressed with her hand the arm on which it^ rested, as a
token that she shared his grief.

Breakfast had been prepared for the mourners in llio
large sitting room. Eprgs, pork, ham-rashers, potal<>('s,
and strong tea, appeared on the table ; and cakes, made

>»■' i

■;i !

THE CANADIAN OIRI..

of tempered Indian corn, buked on sUnt&d boards be«
foro the fire, (a very ancient method) were being brought
in, as the company entered. Jane went below in the
kitchen, after having taken off her bonnet and gloves.

Her first step inside the kitchen door was arrested
in its advance, as a thrilling fear crept over her frame,
strangely mixed with affection and delight. The mariner
was standing by the hearth, on which Indian cakes were
warming. His back was toward her, but she could not
fail to recognise in that commandiug figure, the person
of her father !

TIic opening of the door caused him to turn his head
sligbtly, and he saw her. The next minute she had
sprang to his breast, and was folded, with nothing less
than passionate fondness, to her parent's heart.

" My Jenny — ray Jenny!" said he, kissing her face
and forehead; " I have walked thirty or forty miles
from the ship to seek you. I heard you were somewhere
in this district, and I could no longer be without my
darling. You must go back with me, you mft — ^you
must indeed, Jenny !"

She made no answer, but her forehead sank on his
shoulder, and she wept sadly. He spoke to her in a
most gentle and soothing manner, and sitting down,
))laccd her on his knee, and drew her arm around his
neck.

" You know," said he, " my Jenny, your mother is
dead, and I know not at all what has become of vour
brother. You should not dosert me, therefore, altogether,
bad as I am, for I have no one but you to care any thing
about me, and to guide me."

♦' My own dear father!" said Jane, " much do I »vish,

;«|

15;

THK CANADIAN (ilRL.

f: ■(

:' ^1 ?;

"! f

you know I do, that we cuuld live together — and wh)'
may we not? Only give up that dreadful trade of
piracy, and I will never pari from you, but by your own
wish and consent."

** Cv>piitions — conditions, Jenny !" said the Pirate,
with an air of dignified reproach. ^* You must not forget
I have an authority wherewith to command, as well as an
affection with which to entretit. Tell me, if 1 have ever
been rough to you, if I have ever given you cause to
complain of ill-usage ?'*

" Never," she answered j " you were always kind
to me."

During this meeting, which was at once affecting and
painful, no one but themselves had been in the kitchen.
But, as steps were presently heard approaching, Jane
hastily drew her arm from her father's neck, and arose
from his knee.

" Not a Wurd Jenny, to any one, of who I am, or I
am destroyed," he whispered in her ear ; and Jane, re-
luctantly resorting to artifice, pretended to be engaged
in examining the cakes on the hearth. The feint suc-
ceeded. Deborah, who ent red, had no suspicion that
in the mariner, Jane had found the individual from whom
she had derived existence.

" If you plase, Miss AndotcDn, his honoui the Pastr-.
and Mr. Arthur, wish that you would come to the break-
fast," said Deborah.

Jane accordingly went, and joined the breakfast party,
and a mournful party it was ! Arthur noticed her pe-
culiar tremonr as she placed herself in the seat which had
been Lucy's, in order to make, and pour the tea. Na-
turally attributing it to the r.f itating ceremony in which

Tm CANADIAN OIRL.

Ifll

■lie htA been engaged, and to regret for Lucy, he spoke
to her with J^ndemess, and took the cup which wai
shaking in her hand from her, replacing it upon the
tray. Presently she rallied, and performed her office
with tolerable composure, while he relapsed into the all-
engrossing sorrow, which, at times, wrapped him in a
sort of insensibility.

The Pastor said nothing until the conclusion of the re-
past, but it was too evident that he was suffering in-
tensely the whole of the time, for the tears were momently
falling fast and large from his eyes, and he sighed con-
tinually. ,,»,

When the table was cleared, he went through the
ikmily morning devotions with difficulty, and frequently
he was compelled to stop to wipe away, with his shaking
hand, the superabundant moisture which impeded his
liglit

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A art* dMald b«v« b* uluuHad to ewalM hat Wtb in Ui« vfMf , «)>kli
ii bat Myiag in other woidt, that he is wiier to^f than he Wkk
yatterdaj."

** Now,'* Mid Clinton inwardly, in the evening, at lie
Ibtded a letter on the kitchen table, and addressed it to
Mr. Lee, " it is done ; and the tvrelAh hour from tfaia
nay see me senseless as a clod of the valley. Deborah,
be so good as put that into Mr. Lee's hand, and let no
other person see it or look at it*

** Is it I that would show it to any other person f*
said Deborah ; ** I wonder who Fd show it to ? Sur4
and I can carry a litter to its right owner, and mid e no
mistake." She flung her head a little as she spoke, and
Clinton, who was not fully aware of the curiously twisted
notions of right and wrong which some of the Irish people
are gifted with, said to her, conciliatingly—

** Pray be not offended, Debby. I assure you I had
no intention of wounding your feelings. The letter
if Tery important, and very private, or I should not en
any account have said the words which have sounded so
ttspleaaantly to you."

^ Unplisintly ! Och, then, you say the tnith, Mr.

THK CANADIAN OIRL.

155

Clinton. Uoplisint they were, and very unplisint too !*'
But «8 soon as Deboral? had left the kitchen, she
went to her chamber, and shut the door, standing with
her back against it, and holding the letter end-wist
against the light of the candle, peeping through it in
order to make out, if she could, its contents. These, at
first, baffled her curious eye, but presently she managed
to get a sight of thorn, by pulling out one of the end-
folds.

" It is jist as I thought, at any rate,** said she ; ** it's •
challenge to fight at half post thre'j o'clock in the morn-
ing. Mr Lee is to mate him bcjond the cornfields, and
there they will murther one another for nothing at-all-at-
all, if I don*t prevint ; but by all the saints of Ireland,.
St Pathrick included, I will prevint it, or may I never
knale down to a catholic priest agin.'* ^

' The loosened fold was careftilly tucked in. The letter
was examined with accuracy, and pronounced all ia
*' dacent order," and in a few minutes after, Mr Lee re-
ceived it from Deborah's hands. Next, she went to th»
Pastor and addressed him as he was looking out of a
windonr toward the spot where his granddaughter lay.

** May it plase your honour," said she, and there
stopped.

" Well Deborah," said he, drawing in his head, and
shutting down the sash, " what have you to say to m« t"
** Only, yer honour, that Mr. Qinton is intinding to
mate Mr. Lee early to morrow morning, to fight him
with pistols and swords ; and I could not in conscience-
kape myself back from tilling you of it. They're going
to mate beyond the cornfields at half past three o'clock
on the Monday morning.

• i

156

TUB C^XAUIAN OIKL,

«(

I hope not — I hope noi," said the Pastor, hurriedly «
« no}' grandson I hope would not ro forget the principldi
I have ta ight him. I feel confident he would not dare
to throw away his life, or the life of Mr. Clinton in a
duel, knowinor that there is a judgment to come. You
must l)e mistaken Deborah."

' " If yer honour will belave me, I have jist carried the
challenge in a litter to Mr. Arthur myself. I should
have brought it to you right >-T.Tay, but I gave my word
to Mr. Clinton that no other person but Mr. Lee should
see it, or look at it — ^barring mysilf. And if I broke the
word I gave, sure Pd have to penance mysilf for the
sin ! But I cook a peep at the litter mysilf, aLd saw the
maning of it, and that is the maning which I have tould
you, yer honour."

" You make very nice distinctions, Debby," said the
Pastor ; *' you seem to think, then, that you have not
broken your word lo the writer of the letter, although
you have read it, and informed me of the contents."

" To be sure I have not, yer honour," said Deborah ;
" I only promised to let no other person look at it or
?ade it"

*• Well, I cannot stay to argue the point with you
now, Debby," said the Pastor; " I must go to my
grandson and learn how far this statement of yours is
correct."

Arthur was writing in a chamber, when the Pastor en-
tered to him.

" Arthur," said the latter, " io it true that you have
received a challenge from Mr. Clinton, to fight him with
swords and pistols V*

*' With swords or pistols, my dear grandfather," re*

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

167

>»

re-

plied Arthur. " But sit down, and do not distress
yourself in the least You shall hear my brief explana-
tion of the circumstance which gave rise to this challenge,
and then read the letter itself — it lies before you on the
table. I found Mr. Clinton in the room in which the re-
mains of my beloved sister were. Of course, 1 w?-. con-
founded at his insolence in entering the private rooms
of this house, for he was no more to us then a stranger.
Besides, that he should have dared to go into thai room,
was a most wanton act of impertinent curiosity, and
doubtless, '^f vrnity. I expelled him by for^e, and, in
a manner, ^r^ '^'li^ed e;^her to take his life, or forfeit
mine, as the o^ily sat'sfaction I could render him for
having wounded his pride."

The Pastor then read Clinton's letter, the contents
ran thus : —

" Sir, — I shall expect that you meet me, as I consider
you bound yourself by your word to do. at half-past
three to-morrow morning, beyond the comfieids, or else-
where, in order to render me the only compensation for
the insult I have received from you, which I will accept,
namely, your life. If I fail to take that by honourable
means, I shall be quite ready to yield my own. One of
us must certainly perish to-morrow morning. You are
at liberty to choose your own weapons. Small swords
would be, I think, the best. You have pistols, however,
and you can adopt which you think proper."
' " A nd have you answered this letter V* inquired the
Pastor.

•' I have," replied Arthur ; «« you shall see my reply
bpforo I seal it."
\ The Pastor was greatly si ked to read as follows :—

] I.(fl

158

lUK CAXACiAS GIRL.

*' Sir, — I bhall not fail to meet you with short swordt,
which I believe we can both handle a little expertly, at
half past three, beyond the cornfields."

**■ You cannot intend to leave me childless?" said
the Pastor. " You cannot intend to rush into the pre-
sence of your Immortd Judge in such au impious man-
ner t Surely I am not deceived in you !

Arthur arose, went to his grandfather, and took his
hand with veneration. " You are not deceived in me/*
said he; ** but, if you will allow me, I will remain silent
as to the resolution I have formed concerning this matter
until after the hour of meeting, named in the letters, is

" And then your soul may be beyond the reach of ex-
hortation, and instruction," said the Pastor.

** Not so, I trust," said Arthur. " My dear grand-
father, suffer me to keep what I purpose hid within my
own breast, and at the same time believe that you will
see me at breakfast with you to-morrow morning, with-
out being stigmatised as a coward, and without having
denied my principles. Let jt^ir mind be at rest. Sleep
to-night without the least fear for me. With the blessing
of God all shall be well." . u

" I am glad to hear you speak in this manner," suid
the Pastor ; " and I will not think, that after having sc
spoken, you will venture to risk your eternal welfare by
voluntarily quitting life through such a passage of de-
struction, or that you will deliberately put yourself in
the way of perilling tbe soul of Clinton ; or that you
will leave me, of your own accord, quUe desolate.''

** I will do neither of these things," said Artnur;
** satisfy yourself, dearest grandfather, with my assurftio*

TBI CANADIAN tilRL.

to ilwt effect. I am truly sorry that I should evon hare
eontemplatecl such a thing."

** Yet you will send that reply which you hare
written r

" I must send it ; and if you hear me going out in the
morning be not alarmed. I assure you, if Gh>d so per*
mit, all shall be well with me."

\** I rely on you — my grandsou — I rely on you. You
never yet broke a promise to me, and I cannot think you
will now."

** Depend upon me, grandfather.*'
' The Pastor affectionately wished him good night, and
leA him. The divine worship of the day was over, and
ai? retired to rest in the lodge. At half-past three the
next morning there was a slight rain falling, but this did
not de^er Clinton, who had slept in a bed ia the kitchen,
from springing up, and dressing for his engagement.
Just before he left the house he looked earnestly at a
Tery small and e;squi8ite ivory miniature of Lady Hester,
flien placixl it with a sigh inside his waistcoat next his
heart, that, in case he was struck there by the ball or the
sword, it night be shivered at the instant on the fountain
of feeling aid life. He had also about him Lucy's fare-
well verses ; for next to the object of his "ove he placed
in his affecf ions the memory of her who had loved him ;
lastly, he '.ook with him a small roll of paper, and two
letters, w liich he had written in case of his death. A r-
thur was it the place before him with small swords. The
young men h&aghtiiy greeted each other, and, at once,
whatever fears Clinton might have secretly felt, all
vaniv^ed. He wa^ buoyant, and keenly eager foi the
dctiperate contest. Arthur, on the contrary, was some-

IGO

nil CANADIAN (^'ht:

what depressed — not with cowardice, ()ut >; /^ tnor«t
energy struggling with natural temper. He, too, felt
that peculiar elasticity and recklessness which the pre-
sence of a foe ofttimos produces in men of ardent bloodi
and he could have fought with Clinton to the death ; but,
within his heart, and his mind, was throned a principio
which checked every impulse of this sort, as a skilful rider
checks the paces of a fiery steed on the brink of a preci-
pice. But it was the force of the conflict between tho
strong desire to fight his adversary, and the principla
which denied its gratification, that produced the passing
gloom on his brow. ,

" Now, Mr. Lee, I am ready," «Jaid Clinton, in a
voice of striking fearlessness and confidence.

" And I," said Arthur, making a- euort— " but not
to fight. Mr. Clinton, you have known me two years
and upwards — did you ever have reason to think that t
was devoid of the spirit of a brave man ?"

« Why do you ask ?" '

" Favour me with your answer to my question — I will
then tell you why."

" I see no possible use in it — but if I must answer, I
will do so truly : — I never knew an individuul of a man*
Her spirit than yourself; I do not think it would be easy
to know one."

*' I thank you," said Arthur, his face flubhing a little.
" Now I may speak to you on this occasion w* -h more
frankness ; and as you have had the candour to acknow-
ledge so much, and the politeness to soothe me a little
with a flattery not unpleasing, you will perhaps not deny
me a just appreciation of the motives which now dictate
what I am going to say. Mr. Clinton, I cannot use

TIIK CANADIAN OIHL.

ICI

weapons of blood, in our present quarrfel. 1 rcfusn to
fight, i refuse to take your life — I refuse to yield mine,
unless T am forcibly deprived of it."

" AVliat do you moan, sir ? I am not to be tf iflfid with.**

*' I will not trifle witli you, Mr. Clinton. Do you think,
sir, I am mean-spii 'ted ? that I fear to meet the point of a
sword like tins ' I ich invites your hand ? Speak, on
your honour as a man, is it timidity which causes me to
refuse to fight ?

• " I will not say it is," said Clinton ; *' on my toul, I
believe you as bold as 1 attt."

" Theti, on my soul, sir," said Arthur, " you say
true ; and if I dare, if the fear of God, sir, would suflFet
nv^, I would prove it to you unequivocally. But a
mighty arm holds mine passive ; and if a thousand re*
putations fvere at stake, I dare not fight."

" Then we are to return exactly as we came, I pre-
sume," said Clinton, with an accent in which scorn ms
kliglRIy mingled.

Arthur looked as if he would have replied with strokes
^f death ; but prtnciplb was still too mighty for him ;
and he paced the sod with struggles of the noblest, but
MObt trying kind, which man is called to endure. The
ehivalrbUb nature of Clinton also showed itself more to
advantage.

" I almost feel, Mr. Lee," said he, " that you aresupe"
rior to me. I ftiliy acknowledge the excellettce of the
principle which has led td your refusal to fight, though
I could by no means adbpt it ; c'nd I have only to re-
quest tfcat y(n\ will give iA<6 your assurance that you are
seWlible I Wais willingto redeem my insulted honour, mNA
«t tlie pride of my life."

■♦/»«aLU' wfvt 1

1 :
' 1

■i

■■*

Kia

THK (ANADl.\>f Omi.

" That I will willingly do," said Arthur. " It r an-
not be denied."

" Then now wo jinrt," said Clinton. *' I will no nmro
trouble you with my presence. You have undoubted
reason to wish my a u .once from the valley, and I can no
longer be happy in it. But before we separate I nmst
give yoti a paper signed with my name, which contaitis
a statement of the mutiny of the crew and mate of the
Antelope vessel, conii..^.ided by one Captain Barry, who
was murdered by them on ship board, while entering the
St. Lawrence river; several emigrants were on boara
beside myself, and might be found to substantiate my
statement." Clinton here handed to Arthur a small roll
of paper, and resumed, " A mariner is in the lodge noir,
and intends, I hear, to set out on his return to his ship
this morning. That is the mate of the Antelope."

" What ! the Pirate ?" exclaimed Arthur, in amase-
ment.

" No doubt a pirate," said Clinton, " although he
passes for a common sailor."

" The father of Jane Anderson !" exclaimed Arthur,
incautiously.

Clinton echoed his words in surprise. Arthur was
extremely grieved with himself; he had betrayed the
secret of his betrothed,

" Sir," said he, " I have said what I should not have
said. As a man of honour, impart not to any living being,
I entreat you, the disgraceful relationship."

" I will not," said Clinton. " The Knowledge of
■uch a fact shall never pass my lips, without Miss An-
derson or yourself gives me a rel(^&se from the promise
I now make you. But vou will see, Mr. Lee, that ih«

THU CANADIAN UlUL.

1C3

man I have named, bo lie inato, or pirute, or coinmoii
Mulor, does not escape you. It is, of course, a case
which requires the sacrifice of any personal feelings you
may have towards Miss Andeison. His life is forfeit to
justice, and he ought not to be left at large."

'* I hope,*' saiu Arthur, " no personal feelings will
deter me from fulfilling n*y duty. I shall, of course,
take care that the mariner be in safe confinement if my
grandfa^.her determines to commit him upon the credit
of your written statement."

" Hold him safe on that," said Clinton j « I shall
make my way to the Lieutcfnant-Goyernor, from whom
you may ex})cct to hear. Ho will require the prisoner
from you."

They parted with constrained respect, and cold polite-
ness. Clinton taking one of the most unfrequented pat hi
that led up by a difficult ascent to the top of a moun-
tain, and Arthur returning leisurely to the lodge. The
Pastor had not slept in the night; fears for his grandson
agitated him every hour, and as soon as he heard Arthur
leave ^hc house, he arose, and walked into the garden.

So happy was tlie old gentleman to see the latter re-
turn safe and uninjured, that ho giasped him by the
liand and shook it repeatedly, as though Arthur had but
just arrived to his home after a seven year's absence.

" I feared, my grandson, that you would not be firm
enough," said he ; "I know how difficult it is for a young
man to bear the least imputation on his personal courage.
But, thank the Lord, you have been strengthened for the
trial."

" I am thankful that the trial is over, and 1 hope that
I may never be subjected to such anolher,'** said Aptlmr ,

fri 1

ICl

1HB CANADIAN i.lf;i.

** and nuw, grandfather, oblige me by inentluuing thU oc-
currence no more, for, whenever it is alluded to, I shall
eertainly be tempted to wish that I had met Cliqton in
bis own tctMj)er."

Tlie Pu^tl)r KJirank from the sight of the sworda, und
■aid, ** I deem it a mercy indeed, that they arci not
stained \yith thQ blood of one of you rath young men.**

Clinton*9 account of the mutiny of the Antelope wa«
put intQ the Pastor*! hands by Arthur, without any ex-
planation.

" I wish you particularly to read it throughout," said
Arthur, " as soon as you can, and then I will speak to
you on a subject of soqie importance to me, which i*
connected with it."

" Must I read it this forenoon?*' asked the Pastor,
*< because I have some writing in hand whicli | am rather
anxious to finish."

** Not only in \\ie fgr^noon, but dniiug the earliest
part of it, if you please," replied Arthur.

** Very well, I shall betake myself to the perusal im-
mediately after morning prayers," said the Pastor, who
presently retired into his library.

Arthur went to the dooir of Jane'f room, and knockeil
leveral times. As there was no answer from within, he
concluded that she had risen, although it was not yet
five o'clock ; accordingly, he stepped softly down stairs to
the. kitchen, the house-door was open, and the mariner
was just preparing to set out. Jane weeping, hung on
bis breast, while he was urging her to go with him to
his ship, speaking in a low entreating voice. As Arthur
came pear, the mariner said —

•* Sfou will not, you say, Jenny ? — did I ever expect to

THE CAN.Vt>.AN OIRL.

16^

said

iMRr my darling My so I WuuUl her mother b»ve lo
led roe if I had entreated her to go with me for my good f
You will not be a blesiing and a comfort to your father .
You will not 1 Well, I go back without having accom-
pli»hod my errand. When you hear of my death, Jenny,
perhaps an evil d«!ath — and when you hear of the crime!
I shall have committed, after having been refused by mj
daughter my supplication to her, you will think of this.
But I dare not stay longer. That young Clinton was
on board the vessel of Captain Barry, and he is dangerous
to me. I have hazarded my lifein staying hero so long —
and why have I hazarded it? that I might gain my
child back to my heart ; but she telkmel am a Pirate —
•he will not dwell with nio.'*

<* Nor-rrjio— no ; I did not say that ; you mistook my
meaning, dear father. I said that I was afraid to go
a||ain ia a pirate-ship. 1 4u9eFe4 so dreadfully for-
merly."

** It is all the same meaning. You will not go with
me. But my heart so clings to hope, I will ask you once
more. Will you, Jenny Anderson, forsake me now for
•verr»

Jane wept most agonisingly, and h^r answer was un-
intelligible.

'* I have done," said the Pirate, pushing her from
Kim ; ** I go, and whatever becomes of me bencc!fi>rward
I care not**

He was turning to depart, and adjusting hiy fur cap
on his head, when Arthur appeared close to the door.
Jane started, and the Pirate frowned, clutching the handle
of a knife which had been concealed in the MUlhof Ilii
waist, and drawing it half out to view.

Iril

lfl6 THX CANADIAN GIRL.

" Uninter"*' i^liy, I have heard your words to your
dauglitcr,'* said Arthur, nothing daunted by the look of
the mariner ; " and, though against my will, have re-
ceived in them confirmation of a statement which has
this morning been made by that young CImton you have
named ; he asserts that you are the murderer of Captain
}^arry, and the robber of the contents of his ship. Yield
yourself, therefore, a prisoner to tlio laws you have
violated." " ' * f- - •♦ ; ,.

" No — do not detain him, Mr. Lee !" entreated Jaue,
using all her influence with Art'.iur for her father's sake.
" He never was — he never coultl have been guilty of
murder! Do not believe Clinton. lie false!y accused
the Settler's son ; he is, therefore, capable of falsely ac-
cusing another. I havo told you the worst of my father;
he has been a Pirate— but not a murderer 1'*

" And so ^ou have betrayed nic Jane 1" exclaimed
the Pirate.

" Let h'tn not think so, Mr. Lee," said Jane; ** re-
member that you sought my confidence, and that you
bade me rely on your secresy and fs itndship.'*

" I have not forgotten it, mv dtai- Jane," said At«
thur, " and nothing that you have said to me shall hurt
him in the least. I arrest him as a murderer, uot as a
Pirate." ^"J o: ' I '

" Mr. Le< . my father is no murderer !" said Jane,
;vitii more sp. ban she had ever shown before. Her
youthful figure was again encircled by her father's arm,
and a warm energy was added to the usually quiet ex-
pression of her face

T ere is such a thing among virtuous people, as flic
ymk of virtue, which some imagitie (we Uiln^v eip.iie-

THE CANAni.\S OIRL.

16t

ouily) to be necessary to its existence. Such pride
marred the uprij^htness of Arthur. He extended his
abhorrence of guilt to the individual ; the guilty were,
to use an Hebrew expression, as smoke in his nostrils.
The Pirate, therefore, found little favour at his hands,
although the parent of his betrothed. To favour the
escape of such a man from the just vengeance of the
laTV, Arthur would have thought nothing less than a
crime — a crime which he was too proud, as well as too
conscientious to commit.

" My dear Jane," said he, " whether he is a murderer
or not, remains to be provtci. It is certain he is
charged with the crime, and I cannot allow him to go
from hence until ho has been examined by my grand-
fiither," ' • * V

" You will find it difficult to prevent vne from going»
young gentleman," said the Pirate.

*' If my father remains," said Jane, '* he will be con-
demned as a Pirate, even though he be acquitted as a
murderer,"

" Clinton's accusation says nothing of piracy," said
Arthur. " and of course, I sKall disclose nothing which
Jane has entrusted to mo in confidence ;" at the same
time, he reddened, for he remembered he had that morn>
in^^ inadvertently informed Clinton of nearly all he him*
self know.

*' Mr. Lee, you cannot suppose^ that he will not be
known. Have not all the magistrates of Upper Canada
been furnished with minute descriptions of his person,
and been commissioned to take him prisoner, as the no-
torious Pirate of the Lakes ? Would not Pastor Wilson
disco^'cr who he was?"

I ,

J ; ?

!.!' '>'

THE CANADIAN SIRL.

** Good bye Jenny, my child, good bye,*' said the Pi*
rate; ** it may be a very long time before you see nrn
Again ; and then you may regret that you chose
the society of a lover, in preference to that of a
/ather."

He waf turning away, leaving Jane much embarrassed
and distressed, when Arthur, who had stepped aside a
moment, returned to the dour with a loaded pistol*
which he deliberately aimed at the Pirate, who was oiThia
guard. Jane screamed at the sight, and sprang on her
Other's neek, stretching out her hand as though to
repel the ball.

" You alarm yourself needlessly, v uy dear Jane,*' said
Arthur. " I only mean to show this man, whom you call
your father, that he must remain, and abide the result ti
an examination.'*

« And that result," said Jane, « Will be— his death."

" I should be sorry for your sake, Jane," Miid Arthur,
" if it rrere so."

" Put aside your pistol, sir," said the Pirate; ** I render
myeelf up."

" First hand me the knife, and what other arms yoa
carry," said Arthur.

The Pirate delivered them without any appearance
of perturbation, and then followed Arthur without a word»
into a room, which was locked upon him.

Jane remained as if stupified, leaning against one
fide of the doorway^ until Arthur came to hei , and en-
deavoured to justify himself in the conduct he had
pursued toward her father.

** Mr. T.ee," said she, " I had deceived myself with
the belief that my peace was dearer to you than I find it

TnB C.WADIAN OIRL.

109

to be. I will not, however, so deceive myself again.
Our engagement is broken."

" Jane," began Arthur, but she interrupiod liim by a
firmness equal to his own.

" Do not— do not distress me more, Mr. Lee. I am
not to be shaken from my determination ;*' and when
she had thus spoken, she retired to a room adjoining
that one in which her father was ; here, sinking on her
knees beside a chair, she leaned down her head on the
seat, covered with her apron, and abandoned herself for
a short time to her affliction.

" ] have no one to advise with now — no one to cheer
me," said she. ** If Lucy, my dear friend, were alive,
things would not be as they are. Full soon / feel her
loss— a loss indeed for me 1 All my fair prospect of
happiness here is overcast with darkness. But all the
disappointments in the world, should be as nothing to
me, if my father were only in safety. Well I \no\r
he can hope for no mitigation of his doom, he will die —
he will die.'' Hera she wrung her hands passionately,
and sobbed aloud.

t *' What's the matter thin. Miss Jane, darlin ?" asked
Deborah, who had entered the room half dressed, carry-
ing her gown on her arm. " Sure and I'd like to know
what it is ye'-e braking your heart for at this rate."

" Oh, Deborah, nothing — nothing at all — in par-
ticular," said Jane, rising, looking out at the window,
and r king an effort to speak unconcernedly ; *' the sky
is very cloudy this lorning, I should not wonder if we
have many successive days of rain."

" Mighty fine, Miss Jane, you may throw your throublo
aside with great pains when I nni prisint; but it wont

I ,

THE CANADIAN Oini..

r I

do. You can't desave me. Come now, darlin, just tell
me all about it Mane as I an-i, may be, J might ^erve
you M'ss, if you \rould only think it worth while to
open your heart to me. If it'.' a secret, Til keep it as
close as the grave, I'll be bound."

It was not easy for Jane, in her prosent frame, to deny
the fervent Irish girl, and Deborah was allowed to
coax from her an explanation of her tears.

" I love you, darlin," said she, " with all the love of
my heart, and I would grudge no hardship to do you a
service. Only till me your cause of sorrow."

*' My father, Deborah, is a prisoner in the next room.*'

" Your father ! did you say your father, darlin ?" ex-
claimed Deborah in unfeigned astonishment.

" Yes, it is indeed he, whom Mr. Lee, above all others,
has forcibly confined there ;" and here followed another
flood of tears.

Deborah was now put in possession of the remaining
facts, namely, that the mariner and Jane's father were
one and the same person ; that Mr. Clinton had accused
him of the murder of a ship-captain, and that Mr. Lee
persisted in confining him on that accusation, imtil
Pastor Wilson, 'n his ma^visterial capacity, should have
examined hiui. ~',ne laUl nothing about her father
being a Pirate as ye I b'\t she said she could not under-
take to assert thf. h? hu** not :voen, in somr respects, a
guilty man. '-tili i' ? ■^a.r. her Bitlje**, and bning such, she
thought Mr. Lte ixajd mve hitA a little oisideration for
her feelings. Ho. ^^ er> "^f ^aw '"ery clearly, that all
the ideas she had be^^v; i j to outertaiu of settling
peacefully in the lod£ » \ ust be renounced. She had
too much resisted her fathers v.ish, th?>t she would again

THE CANAIJIAN UIUL.

i:»

sliare his fortunes, wild and turbulent ai they were, and
%H r: uM now resist them no longer. If. he was freed,
slie should go with him to his ship ; if he was sent to jail,
she should attend him in his confinement, and remain
with him to the last moment of his life.

*' And I commind you for the risolution,*' said De-
borah ; ** I would do the same, with the lave of the
sainis. If my dear father, who is under Irish ground,
could as the clay which lies upon him, were only aii' e,
be he rogue or honest man, I would never desart hiii
while I had breath. But if you go from the lodg >,
darlin, I would fain persuade you to take me along witli
you. Sure enough, I'd never be happy here, if you let
me without yoursilf, and Miss Lucy lying in the gravt.
I'd go with you to the world's end, and keep your spirits
up in all weathers."

** Thank you, Debby,* said Jane ; " I feel your kind'
ness particularly, as I am so much depressed. You are
called from below, we will talk again in the forenoon,
when we go up to make the beds."

** Keep your heart up, my dear Miss Jane, things
will turn out better than you expict, I'll be bound. Take
my word for it darlin^ though I am no prophet, your
father will be ail right again soon." \

" I wish I could hope," said Jane, shaking her head
with a melancholy air.

*' Hope — you must hope ; it becomes a Christian to
hope, and espicially one who has made a warm frind of
an Irish girl," said Deborali, with u look indicative of*
jprojcct. /

(■■ • (1

172

THE CANADIAN UlRL.

)j.. i-.j.

Nt r

CHAPTER XI.

•• Oh . thai hallow'd form ii ne'er forgot.
Which firtt love trac'd;
Still it lingering haunts the greenest tpol
On memory's waste t
'Twas odour fled
As soon as shed ;
'Ttras XT ling's winged dream ;
Twas a light, ti>*t ne'er can shine again,

On life's dull stream !
Oh ! 'twas a light, that ne'er can shine again,
On life's dull stream !"— T. Moore,

.f.i

It was ai^emoon when the Pastor was seated in hit
chair of authority in his library. Arthur arranged be-
fore him the open paper which Clinton had given him,
together with several law- bonks, pea and ink, parch-
ments, writing-paper, and letters sealed with the Lieu-
tenant-Governor's official seaL

"That will do my son," said the Pastor; " now go
and bring this guilty man before me."

Two men, messengers of the Governor, arose from
chairs on which they had been sitting, and went with
Arthur to the room whirt'in they supposed the Pirate to
be confined. The door appeared locked, but when Ar-
thur applied the key whiih he held, he found that it
OouiU not be opened by any ordinary means, the fiUiteu*

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

173

ing8 liaving been purposely injured. He then knockedj
but received no answer.

" This is strange," said he ; " surely the prisoner hai
not escaped !"

" Could he have jumped from the window?" asked
one of the men. , •

" No, it is too high," said Arthur.

" Break the lock open," said the second man.

The requisite instruments had been wilfully mislaid,
and some time was lost in searching for them, and after
all they were not found.

" What is the matter? — ^whereis the prisoner T* askcr
the Pastor, coming into the kitchen surprised and alarmed.

** ITie prisoner seems to have flown, your worship, or
else he is dead," said one of the men. " We have ham*
mered loud enough at the door in which Mr. Lee sajl
he shut him up, but the deuce a bit of answer coula
we get. And the lock has had some strange tricks
played with it, so that we shall find it no easy matter to
get in." , ,;

" Why not force the door open ?"

" That is what we are going to do, your worship
when we can find the instruments. But every thing W0
want seems to be out of the way just now."

" Where is Deborah — where is Jane ?"

" Grandfather," said Arthur, " I know not where
they are. I can see nothing, hear nothing of them."

" Here — Alice," this was a young girl who had as-
sisted Deborah in the dairy and cooking operations^
" go directly, and as quick as you can, to the up-stair
rooms, find Deborah and Miss Anderson, and tell them
they are wanted here immediately."

H I

^'1

171

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

The girl was crying. '* Deborah, and Miss Jane ar»
not in the house, sir.''

" Not in the house!" echoed the Pastor aud Arthur,
*' not in the house!"

" I have searched all over it, sir, and they arc both
gone, and h;ive taken tlieiv clothes with them ; they havo
lift fm^'i- boxes erapty^ and every thing belonging to thcnj
has disappear'^''"

i " Bless me," txclaimed the Pastor, " I am astonished l"
' " And I,*' said Arthur, changing countenance; "but
let us make sure of the fact ; follow me," to the two men,
** we will not mind injurin*. Ihe door, it shall be opened
by some means, and I care nit what. If the prisoner
is gone, it is clear that Jane and Deborah have aided his
flight, and have gone with him.*'

The door, around which the men of the lodge and
the Governor's messengers were presently gathered,
burst inwards with a crash, and two panels fell out ;
there was no prisoner to be seen ; but as Arthur stood
in the middle, surveying it with looks of anger, gloom,
and regret, he perceived a letter on the table. Hastily
opening it, he read these lines : — ;.

" Mr. Lee, — you must not charge me with my father^s
escape. I discovered this morning early that he was
gone, and determined to follow his steps, with the hope
of finding him at the spot where I knew he had left his
•hip. Deborah had received her discharge from you,
and therefore she considered herself at liberty to go
when and where she pleased. She is with me, and ex-
presses herself determined not to leave me duii ug Iho
time I may spend in my father's ship. We hope you will
find all (.orroct in the house, and I bid you, sir, larewclL

Til:: CANADIAN cini.

175

" So porishos,'' said tho Pastor, when ho too had read
the letter, *' my last dream ol' domestic happiness.*'

" The Governor," said one of the men standing by,
" will bo very much put out of the way, when we go
back with the tidings. He said he had rather lose fifty
common prisoners than this Pirate, for he has baffled pur-
suit a long time, done a great deal of mischief, and
caused a great deal of useless trouble and expense."
' " You see," said the Pastor, " how it has happened ;
tie had a daughter living in my house, and she has con-
trived, with an Irish cervant I had, to set him at liberty,
and lias fled with him. You must be so good as tell the
Governor this, and if he pleases, I will v'«it him, to ex-
plain the vexatious matter myself."

In the meantime, Clinton had reached the house of
the Lieutenant-Governor, and had had a private inter-*
view with him. Nothing could exceed the vexation of the
Governor when his messengers returned from the Pastor
with intelligence that the Pirate had made his escape.

He was a very passionate man, and all at once he burst
into a drawing-room which opened by glass doors upon a
lawn, and began pacing up and down with angry excla-
mations.

" What ails you my dear Governor ? you seem greatly
put out of your way," said the Lieutenant-Governor's
lady, a portly, good-looking, over-dressed personage of
just her husband's age, that is to say, fifty.

" No ill news from England, I hope, Governor," said
a lady of dazzling beauty, about twenty-five years of
«ge, dressed with equal richness, but more true elegance.

** No, Lady Cleveland, I have received no news of
aqj \ind from England to-day.'*

170

THE CANADIAN lilRl,.

**'rhon what can be tin- inatlor witli you?*" sail Ins
Excellency's lady. " Tlio diniier to-day aus dressed
oxaolly to your taste. None of the plate, glass, or host
china have been broken lately, I believe — the winos you
have just received answer particularly well. What can
be the matter." •

" That cursed Pirate has escaped me again, madam,**
laid his Excellency, with an oath.

" A Pirate— what is a Pirate, a robber on the seas,
sister ?" inquired a little lady just entering her teens,
throwing up a pert kitten, that she might sec it full on
its feet.

" Yea — yes, my dear Letty — and you must be quiet
now, and do put down that cat. Your papa will bo
quite angry with you, if he sees you romping so."

" He is out in the lawn sister,'* said Letitia, " and I
shall go to him, with my kitten, and talk very grave,
and walk very upright, and when he has given me a kiss,
I shall come back io you again.**

Off ran the child of aristocracy with her kitten under
her arm. Lady Cleveland watched her with looks of
affection and admiration.

" The little giddy thing," said she smiling. Suddenly
her whole soul seemed to be concentrated in the sense of
hearing. She moved not a limb, her head was fixed,
her breath caught back within her lips and throat.

" Be seated, sir, bo seated," said the Lieutenant-Go-
vernor to Clinton, who stood near the door in a pos'ure
of proud humility.

" I thank you, your Excellency," said Clinton, occu-
pymg the chair nearest to him.

" You were an emigrant, you say, in this lost vcssc?,

t' M'

THB CANAPiAN aim,.

177

»*

niid saw the doath of Captain Darry, and the seizure of
liis ship?"
Clinton bowed.

'• Would you, as you know this Pi rule under all his
disguiijcs, have any objection to ;,'i) with a company in
searrh of him on the Lakes V

'• Not the slightest — only one, at least"
" What objection is that ?'* ,

" I am compelled to speak it, ur I certainly should
not, your Excellency — 1 am entirely tvitliout nionfy.'*

" This young man, my dear," said the Governor to
his lady, " lost all his property in that ship of which I
was speaking to you this morning."

"Indeed!" exclaimed the lady, " I am very sorry tu
hear he suffered such a disaster. Have a glass of wine,
sir," and she directly went herself to a decanter, and
poured some Madeira. Her manner was hearty, warm,
and motherly, and more truly pleasing than all the fine
ladyisms in the world. Clinton could not but take the
glass she offered with her own hand, and.^ with a gesturo
of genuine grititude and respect, he drank.

" Hester, my love," said the lady, "have you a return
of that throbbing in the temples you told me of thia
morninnf ?*'

" No — dear madam; you are very kind to inquire,"
said Lady Cleveland, in a whisper scarcely audible two
yards beyoi\d her chair. " Perhaps you will have the
kindness," she resumed, "to lend me your arm into the
lawn — I do not feel perfectly well." ,4

Faint as that whisper of Lady Cleveland's had been,
it reached the heart of Clinton ; unconscious ofhis move-
ments, he arose from his chair, and remained standing,

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ITS

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

with one foot advanced, gazing after her until the closing
of the glass door roused him.

" It cannot be — I surely dream !" he exclaimed aloud.

The Governor was astonished.

" What are you looking at, sir, so attentively ?" he
asked.

" I beg your pardon, but may I entreat that your
Excellency will inform me the name borne by the young
lady who has just gone into the garden?"

" Lady Cleveland is her name. She bears her hus-
band's name ; he is a colonel — Colonel Cleveland. They
have come out from the mother country by appointment
under the British crown."

" Her husband !" echoed Clinton, grasping the top
of the chair.

" Her husband ; Colonel Cleveland of the hussars.
But it is not posssible you have known the lady before V*

" I had a passing recollection of her figure," said
Clinton. " But now to business, if your Excellency

" Yes — ^yes, to business," said the Governor. *' You
will be accommodated in Toronto to-night. My servants
will put you somewhere to sleep, and in the morning I
will tell you what I have decided upon."

The next morning the Governor sent for Clinton into
d c same drawing room, and the latter was allowed a
certain provision on consideration of his assisting in the
pursuit of the Pirate. The engai^ement, which was much
to Clinton's satisfaction, was barely concluded when
Letitia ran into the room.

" How provoking," said she; " we have hardly been
in this place Toronto, with its Indian name, a month,

THK CANADIAN GIAL.

179

; Yowr

and novr we are to go to some out of the way place, I
know not where, among strangers again. I hate tra-

velling.

»»

" Suppose you take your favourite, the kitten, with
you," said the Governor, " you will not hate to travel
then, eh, little lady ?".

" Ah ! she is such a pretty creature," said Letitia,
shaking her beautiful long hair about her laughing face ;
" but I will tell you why I do not like to travel," con-
tinued she seriously ; *' my sister was happier by half at
home in England — ^but that is between ourselves, as my
Governess would say in French." Here she broke out
into a laugh ; " Nice dull companions they are, my
sister, and the stiff Colonel, grand, silent papa, and my
governess, with her never-ending — hush Lady Letitia— -
don't look about you so. Lady Letitia — do demean your-
self more becoming your dignified station. Lady Letitia.**

" But are you really going away?" asked the Go-
vornor, laughing, and patting her shining head.

" My governess, and our maids are packing up," said
Letitia.

" I am a little surprised — so soon — I was not in-
formed," muttered the Governor, in disjointed sen-
tences. • >

Clinton was gazing at the young sister of Lady Cleve-
land with a look that puzzled the Governor. It was a
look at once sorrowful, tender, and intense.

" You do not know this little lady, I presume ?" said
liis Excellency. .

" 1 do not," replied Clinton, sighhig.

When lie had left the room, he had to cross some
rather intricate pas-jages, and in doing so, found that he

'■:>':^V

1^0

THB CANADIAN 0!HI.

had pursued a different direction from that which he had
intended to take. He stopped and waited until some
servant should be passing, and put him right. While he
stood listening for approaching footsteps, he perceived a
door half open, which he supposed might conduct to
some outlet such as he wanted; going close to it, he
pushed it a little inwards, and saw a kind of small with-
drawing room, into which he stepped. He was coming
«>ut again, vexed, at having thus perplexed himself,
when he heard the voices of Lady Cleveland, and the
Governor's lady, employed in low and earnest conversa-
tion in a room adjoining one side of the withdrawing
room ; the partition was thin, and now and then a word
reached Clinton's ear distinctly. For one passing mo-
ment there was a struggle between inclination and
honour, but inclination prevailed, and he moved noise-
lessly to that thin wall through which the sounds passed.

The ladies were sitting on a sofa, as it seemed to him,
close to the inner side of the wall. They were evidently
alone, for the tenour of their conversation was strictly
confidential.

*' I will not ask you to stay longer, then, dear Lady
Cleveland," said the Governor's lady ; and these words
Clinton distinctly heard. Lady Cleveland spoke more
softly, and it was with some difficulty the strained ear of
the listener could distinguish the purport of her excla-
mations. Something like a thrill of gratification, how-
ever, darted through his breast, when he plainly mado
out the principal part of the following speech.

*• I dissemble in public, my dear madam. I appear
openly in all the glitter of rank, and wealth, and
fashion, but in secret, ray heart is breaking. Had thu

TUE CANADIAN GIRL,

ISl

Colonel been tlie man my father asserted him to be, my
peace of mind, I am convinced, would have been Ihlly
restored by this time. But I have been compelled, by
private persecution, mto an union with a man who has no
more rcgird for me than for his horse, or his dog — nay,
I seriously question whether there is any thing belonging
to him vhich he sets at a lowor rate than his wife."

" Hah ! is it thus with her !" exclaimed Clinton, with
a strange smile of mingled misery and pleasure. "I am
not the only sufferer by her marriage then. She — she
herself is miserable ! Oh, what strange pranks doth
faic and fortune play in this world !'*

*' But my dear Lady Cleveland," the Governor*s lady
was heard remonstrating, " time and patience may
work wonders with the Colonel yet. Bless you, my dear,
I have seen many instances where husbands who began
ill, ended well ; and so on the contrary, I have seen many
begin well, and yet turn out very good-for-nothing
creatures bef e long. Have patience, dear, and don't
let your spirits droop."

" An opera dancer in London," were the next words
which he made shift to hear ; they had been spoken by
Lady Hester Cleveland with much else that seemed to be
important, if he might judge by the senior lady's excla-
mations of " Indeed ! — Really ! — I am sorry to hear you
say so ! — I should not have thought the Colonel so de>
praved!"

" I will not remain with him much longer," said
Lady Cleveland passionately, and a shower of tears ac-
companied the speech. "The earl, my father, may
argue and plead for the Colonel," she resumed, " and
for the dignity of his house, and for the reputation of

TIIK CANADIAN QIRL,

his eldest daughter, as long as lie will — I cannot bear wliat
I now bear much longer, and I will not. Oh, my more
than mother, kind madam, let me — let me unburden my
mind fully to yon ! There u a positive relief in opening
the heart to a friend, such as you are to me, after it has
been long shut up with unutterable sorrows." Ilor
sjjeech was more and more vehement, and her sobs
mingled with every sentence in the most afflicting
manner.

" Lay your head on ray breast — there, love," said
Mrs. Markham, the Governor's lady. "Now tell me all
tliat burdens your heart, tell me every thing. I wish
I could relieve you with any more substantial comfort
than my poor advice and sympathy, but since I cannot,
they, at least, are your own."

Clinton was quite unable to make out the long and
melancholy recital which theyoung peeress was now somo
minutes, rapidly, and with many tears, unfolding to the
matronly ear which was painfully bent to her. He con-
jectured, however, and conjectured rightly, that it con-
cerned himself. He leaned against the wall overcome
with the tumult of his feelings. lie longed to burst
through into her presence — to kneel before her — to ex-
press the homage of his soul — and to pour into licr
wounded heart the balm of exquisite affection. All that
was evil in him he fancied he could renounce for ever, if
he were but with her. But the figure of the Colonel came
between hirn and those heated visions, and he cursed his
own existence, and wished that he had never been born.
He returned into the passage, and as nearly as he conld,
retraced his steps. Going along he met Colonel Clove-
land himself, who was retvnning from a public square of

**^

THE CAN ^UIAN GIRL

16S

it has
Her

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ictiiu'

the town, in which he iuul been i'evievvinf» some troops of
the Canadian militia. He was in full military dress, of
a tall, tolerable figure, but appeared nearly as old as
Lady Cleveland's father.

" He must be forty, at least," said Clinton to himself,
as he passed him. The Colonel was thirty-five, and ho
had grown to this age in vice, and excess of every
possible kind. His manners, his uniform, and his gal-
lantries, had made him fashionable in English high life,
and his high-boim and high-bred relations, had prejudiced
the Earl of Wilton in his favour. But it was no wonder
that the delicate and lofty female mind, united to his,
shrank from him as it did, and loathed the ties which
bound it to a companion so grovelling and gross. ,

Afler the Colonel had passed, several servants appeared
carrying luncheon to the Governor's table. Clinton
waited until they returned, and then followed them
down to the kitchen. Here he learnt that the Colonel
had been twice before in Toronto, and that during his
two former visits, as well as during his present one, he
had acquired the character among the Canadians, of a
man of loose morals, although a thorough soldier, and a
liberal commander. Chnton next went out into the
principal thoroughfare of the small capital town, with the
hope of diverting his thoughts, but presently he grew
wearied of observing things that had no evident relation
to what concerned him most, and he walked as fast as
possible in that direction which seemed to him least fre-
quented. When ho stopped he had reached the extremity
of a sandy peninsula, which partially enclosed Toronto
harbour. The scene was fine and singular. In front
>yas Toronto, bordered with farms and gardens ; on one

^ri^T-:rr7\

^^^SPSSSSf*'^

184

TIU CAN .LiIAM GIKL.

Iiandthe peninsula seemed shrank to a span in breadth,
and exhibited a tall lighthouse; on the other hand was an
extensive marsh, and the River Don. Here, whore Clin-
ton was, the peninsula stretched a mile wide ; the spot was
known as Gibraltar Point ; it formed the entrance beach
of the harbour, and was protected by a good fort. The
numerous flocks of wild fowl which gathered about the
large ponds here, took the attention of Clinton for a brief
space, and he went nearer to one of the stagnant pools to ob-
serve their motions. His eyes were pursuing^ crowd of
water-hens and ducks which were splashing among the
weeds near the brink, and a smile was involuntarily re-
laxing his mouth, when a noise close to his ear startled
him. He turned — and saw the Pirate. His first im-
pulse was to throw himself upon the mariner, and to ex-
claim, " In the name of the Lieutenant-Governor, I
arrest you! Yield, you are my prisoner !" ->— •

The Pirate shook him off, and laughed satirically.
" Think you," said he, " I ventured into the very jaws of
that shark, some call justice, without being fully provided
for any case of emergency that might happen. See, I
am well armed." He raised a boat-cloak which enveloped
his figure in not ungraceful folds, and exhibited a sash
stuck full in front with hand weapons. *' You perceive,"
said he, with laughing scorn, " you have little chance in
a personal contest with me ; besides, you are the lesser
man. You have no such brawny limbs as these to show ;"
he bared his arms, which, indeed, were of exceeding
strength, and again laughed, but as he did so, his eye
settled upon Clinton with an abrupt expression of won-
der and eagerness ; and to the no small surprise of the
young man, he snatched off the covering from Ciiiiton's

THE CAXADIAN OIRL.

185

»»

hca<i, and exclaimed in accents, trembling and faltering
as anv woman's—

" Do not, for the love of the virgin mother of Jesiw,
turn your head an inch ! keep it just where it is a minute !
it is — it must be her look! The same — and no other — I
could not mistake it ! and yet — and yet — " ' '.

He staggered back from Clinton like one distracted,
and hid his face with his arm.

Clinton knew not what to make of a conduct so extra-
ordinary. While he was in doubt, he perceived anotlier
person within call, whom, notwithstanding what had just
occurred, he was about to call to his assistance, in order
to apprehend the Pirate, when the latter prevented him.

" Hush I as you value your life or your peace," said
he. " There is a secret of vast importance to you
bound up in the present moment. It rests with you to
render, not me, but yourself, wretched or otherwise
for the residue of your days. You know this picture."

The Pirate took from a concealed pocket the like-
ness of Clinton's mother, which the latter had lost on
board the Antelope. -'^ r^ ' ••

*' Know it !" exclaimed Clinton, in a sudden trans>
port of indignation, *■'■ Know it ! villain ! murderer ! dare
you ask me the question here — where the avengers of
the deed which you acted at the time when I lost this
precious article, stand with open prison-doors ready to
award to you that punishment you so richly merit?
Still, if you have one spark of honour left in your breast^
return me that picture."

" Return it ! — no, never !" said the Pirate, replacing
the portrait quietly in the pocket from which he had
taken it, but still surveying the features of Clinton witii

2 B

188

TAB CANADIAN OlRL.

\'M

scrutinising looks, " No — never ! Tell me who was the
female whose features are traced so well on this bit of
wood which you lost — was she your mother 1 and was
she an English woman ?"

The question was put in a tone so peculiar, and so
manifestly unfeigned, that Clinton felt constrained in-
stantly to reply.

" She was my mother ; but you are strangely imperti-
nent to put these questions to me." ■ i

The Pirate covered his face again, but his frame
showed distinctly enough the vehemence of his emo-
tions. He grasped the arm of the astonished Clinton,
and whispered in his ear three words that electrified
the hearer. Now, in his turn, Clinton gazed on the
Pirate, and trembled with speechless sensations.

A whistle was raised to the Pirate's lips, and a low
shrill sound passed over the pond. It was answered by
three pirate seamen, who one by one sprang up from the
thick bushes of the pond in which they had been con-
cealed.

« Draw the boat to the outside of the harbour, and
take us in directly," was the command they received.

« Aye— aye, captain,'* was the brief response : and in
five minutes a small trim boat floated into sight close to
the borders of the solitary beach. Without speaking a
word the Pirate stepped into it, and motioned to Clinton
to join him, which the latter did. ". " "'*•♦

" Are we to paddle her to the ship, captain ?" asked
oneof the seamen. . . . >

" To the ship," was the Pirate's laconic reply; and
aftor this he remained standing in the centre of the boat in
earnest thought, while it glided swiftly outwards, from the

TUB CANADIAN UIRL.

187

fiarbour, on Lake Ontario, near the head of which, Tu-
ronto, the capital of Upper Canada, is situated. Tlie
waters were almost at a dead stillness, and the keel of
the boat ran on a sMrfatu* sinuoth and equal, while a
gentle breeze, blowing now and then from the shore,
rendered the heated air delightful. A ship soon ap-
peared in sight ; it was lying on its anchor without mo-
tion, its top sails were partly fastened down, and its dark
hull had a very strong and capacious appearance.

1 Clinton, as the boat approached toward the ship^
surveyed it with curiosity, and asked the Pirate— >

, *' What flag do you exhibit?"

" Only that of a fresh-water trader," replied the Pir
rate, pointing with a smile to one which was hanging
with scarce a movement from the top of the mast

The boat was soon under the ship's side, and the ease
and celerity with which the Pirate mounted to the deck,
at once convinced Clinton that the former was here in
his proper element. Two men on deck had been singing
as they examined some cables, while they were sitting
ON the planks of the floor with their backs against a tree.
One verse had been concluded, and a chorus, in whi . h
their comrades joined, was now roared out, loud as a
north-western blast. . 't s v . „

V " Silence, rascals !" shouted the Pirate, in stentorian
accents, as he assisted Clinton to ascend. ** Haverstraw,
is this obeying my directions ? I thought I commanded
you to preserve strict silence and order above board
while I was absent V*

The ancient sailor to whom he addressed himself, was
sitting with his head between his hands at the/oot of the
mainmast.

18S

Till'. CANADIAN 1.1 M

nsi

I'i I

'* It^s no uso in the world, captain, to leave me to
order the men, for there's no such thing as doing any
thin^T with them," said the old sailor, without stirring
from his dejected posture.

*' What is that you say, Toby ?" said the Pirate, his
eyes gleaming fiercely as they ranged around the vessel.

" I say ^captain, and I will maintain it, it's no uie
leaviiiiv me to keep order, for no one minds me."

" Who has dared to disobey you, or slight your direc-
tions, Toby Ilaverstraw ? Toll me — and tell me without
disguise or evasion, as you love your own life."

" I do not matter my poor worn out life much," said
the old man, " but I'll tell no lie to you — for why should
I, seeing I have one leg in the grave, and the other
ready to follow it, captain? Michael and Jonas, yonder,
are the two men who have told me they will not obey me ;
they Ate as good buccaneers as I or you, they say, and
they will do as they like."

" Will they so — ha, indeed !" cried the captain, dis-
lodging from his belt two pistols, which he took one in
each hand and presented close to the temples of the two
offenders. " How say you, Michael and Jonas, shall I
or you govern this vessel ?"

To a question thus put, the answer was not likely to
be very bold; yet the hardened felloWs so fearfully
threatened, gave no tokens of submission.

" You are captain, we don't deny it — keep your cap-
tainship — but we want to have no other captain,*' were
the jirumbled words of one of the two men. '

'* Thi3 is not the first time you have attempted to
Bjiroad disorder and mutiny in the ship," said the Pirate ;
" 1 w\\\ not say more to you now, but if I hear of a

1 jji

TIIU CANADIAN OIRL.

180

wuif per o( this sort again, some of your livet ihall aiiiwer
it — you hear me."

Clinton was now conducted by the captain down into
the interior of the ship, where he noticed, as he had done
above, how strictly every thing was arranged, and how
well all was prepared for defence. To a remark which
Ije made, the Pirate replied —

** Yes, I am not a little proud of my weather-tight
cruiser. I must say, I have seldom seen a better built,
or better furnished, lady of the waters, than this vessel.
But you should see her sailing — ^you should see her
sailing ! she can skim the waters like a swallow; if she
were built of cork, she could not swim through troubled
seas lighter or more buoyantly. These are my private
cabins — enter,"

Clinton followed his conductor into a room of good
size, furnished in the style of an English drawing-room,
vith a rich carpet, chairs of fine polished wood, rose-
wood sofa and tables, and ornamented fire-place.

" This excites your surprise, I see,*' said the Pirate,
locking the door, and drawing against it a handsome
painted screen.

" Certainly it does," said Clinton, viewing an oil
painting that hung on the wall. ** I little expected to
see a place so fitted up in a — "

" Pirate's vessel, you were going to say," said the
captain. " You may speak out plainly, I can bear it
Besides, there must be henceforth no secrets between us
two, if I can succeed in proving to you, now you are
here, the reality of what I told you on Gibraltar Point."

" If you can indeed prove it," said Clinton, " there
shall be no secrets between us."

■■I

190

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

f ''■ i'

.K ''I:

" Then the best way," said the Pirate, " to do that,
will be to relate to you the history of my past life. You
»ay you can stop here until dusk ; we have, therefore,
eight hours to spare, and surely I shall be able to open
all my budget to you during that time. But I must have
another listener."

The Pirate here went to a door that opened into an
inner cabin, and called aloud — " Jenny — Jenny An-
derson."

" What ! — can Miss Anderson be here !" exclaimed
Clinton. . •. . -

" Captain," said our former Irish acquaintance, putting
her head in at the door, " Miss Jane will be in to ye in
a half a quarter of a minute, if you plase." •

" And Deborah here too ! — what wonder next !" ex-
claimed Clinton.

Deborah nodded her head to the latter, by way of re-
cognition, and then withdrew it.

The Pirate leaned his elbow on the mantle-piece, and
fijifed his eyes sorrowfully on Clinton.

" I am astonished," said he, " that I did not recog-
nise you before. Now, every feature, every expression
upon your face reminds me of her whom I never truly
valued until I had lost — of her who was an angel on my
wild path, and whose instructions and principles, had I
followed them, would have conducted me safe through the
dangerous seas, in which, since her death, I have ship-
wrecked honour, conscience, and hope. Yes, you are in-
deed like her! She had just your figure too, only, of
course, more feminine. How strange to think I should
not have known you before!"

Just as he was speaking this, a loud and conTusod

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

191

ex-

noue was heard over head, and the captain, hastily-
begging to he excused a few minutes, hurried on deck to
see the cause of the disturbance. He did not return for
a quarter of an hour, and during this space, Jane An-
derson entered. Deborah had informed her that Clinton
was here, she did not, therefore, show much surprise at
seeing him. She somewhat coolly met his warm greeting,
and sat down on the sofa, as he occupied a chair near her.

" I accidentally learnt," said he, " that you were the
daughter of the — ^the Pirate, as we must call him, before
I left the valley, but I have yet to learn how he escaped,
and how, and where it happened that you Joined him.'* .

" And I," said Jane, " cannot tell how it is I see you
here on amicable terms with my father."

" To tell you the truth," said Clinton, « I had just
•greed with the Lieutenant-Governor to assist in the
search after the captain, and was walking on the pen-
insula beach, when I saw the very man whose capture I
was meditating, and he made a mysterious assertion,
which he is now to give me proofs of. He says, Jane, that
the picture which I lost on board Captain Barry's vessel,
was the picture of his wife. Now I know that it was a
genuine resemblance of my mother — and what follows."

" This is too strange for belief," said Jane, yet at the
same time looking at the features of Clinton with anxious
curiosity. " I cannot think that you are ray brother —
my brother, what an idea !" r i - •

" Your brother he certainly is," said the Pirate, re-
entering ; " fetch a looking glass, and examine your
features both of you, in it, and compare them with the
picture of your lamented mother."

Jane fetched a hand-mirror, and the picture Clinton

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TUU CANADIAN GIAL.

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bad loit was laid on the table. Smiles were exchanged
as each, in turn, presented a face for the reflection of the
mirror.

" Really we three do look to have a family likeness to
each other," said Clinton ; " and this portrait certainly
would pass for that of the mother of Miss Anderson.
The mouth is exactly yours, Jane."

** And the eyes are strikingly like yours," said Jane ;
** and see, father, the shape of the forehead, yes, you
must be my brother ;" and in her joy at having found a
relative so long dreamt of, she caught his hand, and
pressed it fondly to her heart.

** My sister — my dear sister! from this hour you have
in me a friend and protector," said Clinton, kissing hef
cheek with great tenderness.

The Pirate looked on his children with feelings of ihe
strongest kind.

" Nicholas f he exclaimed, at length giving vent to
his emotions. " Nicholas, my son ! guilty as I am, and
unworthy of my children's love, I do crave it, and I feel
it the only pleasure of my existence. However bad you
know me to be, therefore, do not set me down as being
without natural affection. Do not utterly despise and
abhor me, Nicholas !"

'* Father !" exclaimed Clinton, " for now I do not
doubt you to be my parent, believe me, though I hav«
seen but half your years, I have lived as wild, and reck-
less, and bad a life as yourself — perhaps worse indeed.
If I meet an erring father, you meet an erring son. But
for Jane's sake — for my sister's sake, father, we must
both amend."

" Oh !" cried Jane, " how great will be ourhai>pine«i

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

193

if my father will be persuaded to leave the way of life
he is now in ! Try — try, brother, to persuade him !" The
mild eyes of the speaker, eloquent with persuasive tears,
were turned to the face of the Pirate, and she caught at
the belief that she should now gain her dearest wish.
The Pirate, anxious not to damp her spirits, replied —

" Don't agitate yourself, my Jenny ; all will be right
some day or other. Nicholas and I will talk the matter
over by ourselves ; but now let us have a glass of wine or
two togetner, and then for my story." . . , .'

While the Pirate was bringing upon the table some of
the same delicious liquor which had been so approved
by the inmates of the Paster's lodge, Jane whispered to
Clinton, " Do not give up the point — do not rest until
you have induced him to forsake the evil men he is now
associated with."

Clinton warmly assured her he would do his best ;
and the Pirate handed to each an antique and costly
wine-cup, which he told them with a sigh, had once
graced a richer board than any he had sat down to for a
long period.

This introduced the expected story of the Pirate's
past life, which he told in nearly the following words :—
•* The adventures I have passed through, my dear
children, are toe many for me to relate in full. I must,
therefore, covifine myself to the most important ; and, to
speak the truth, some of them it would pain me too
much to dwell upon. I was the only child of poor and
very young parents, who died in my infancy, and left me
without home or friends. In this state I was taken into
an indigent relative's cabin, and lived there in a half-
fitirvcd condition, until my third year ; the cabin stood

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191

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

on the extensive seignorie of a very rich roan of solitanr
and eccentric habits ; he was accustomed to take long
walks and rides alone, but never had been known to
pass the boundaries of his estate. There was not a hut,
however insignificant, tenanted from him, that he did
not visit at stated intervals with the most precise regu-
larity. He always inquired at such visits into the wants
of all the inmates, and never failed to leave a blessing
behind him. Sometimes he had the small buildings re-
paired, or he erected convenient outhouses, or put in
windows ; sometimes he gave the cottager a stout beast
of burden, or an additional piece of ground, or a stock
of homely blankets and winter furs, or a fishing boat.
But his aim was not to prevent the necessity of fore-
thought and industry on the part of the peasant, but to
assist and reward them. The woman with whom I was,
he had visited duly for three years, but had bestowed
little on her, for she was not a very worthy character,
and her temper was as deplorable as her habits, but at
the end of the third year, to her great astonishment, he
told her that he would remove from her one who was
evidently a cause of misery tojier, the little urchin she
iiad taken out of charity, and that he would have the
boy provided for at his own expense. I was thereupon
removed to a large and ancient baronial house ; a man of
learning was in a few yoars hired to inform me in lan-
guages and the sciences ; a yearly provision was legally
made over to me upon certain singular conditions, and
the bulk of his fortune, and his noble residence, were se-
cured to me at his death. Would you think it possible,
my children, that with such advantages, and with such
intellects as I possessed, I could be unhappy? Yet,

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

lO.I

80 I was. But I must e:tplain to you, if I can, some of
the causes — apparently very trivial ones — ^that made me
so. In the first place, 1 mUst never stir beyond his
grounds — then I tnttit not go beyond the gardens around
the house without being accompanied by him or my
tutor — then I must hold no intercourse with any persons
that had not first been seen and approved by him — then
three times a day I most attend prayers, long and
dull ones, repeated word for word, without variation, the
year round. I feel thait such obligations must seem to you
very trifling sources of disquietude — ^yet they ultimately
caused me to throw away fortune and favour. My
character as a yduth was singularly independent, and I
could not brook the idea whidh vi^as constantly presented
before me, of what I oteed my benefactor. I could not
endure that my inclinations, which were of a wandering,
open, inquisitive, gay ifature, should be so continually
checked as they were by my tutor's ill-judged represen-
tations — ^that my benefactor would be angry — ^that I'.e
would cut off my expectations. And let him, I at
last broke out, I will no more be immured as I have
been. This place is like a prison to me, and I have
found companions beyond it that suit my taste well.
If I was destitute when he took me, I will go from him
in the same condition. I will not take a single dollar
with me, nor any more clothes than these I wear. I
will seek my fortune on the sea, I care not to whatever
part of the world chance may direct me ; and let my way
be rough or smooth, I shall not heed, so I am at liberty,
and master of my own actions.

" The tutor repeated my words with considerable ex-
aggeration ^ xay foster-father, who called mc bcibre

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196

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

ced which had been

him, put the deed which had been executed in my
favour into my hands, and asked me in a concise, pe-
remptory way, if I would comply with the conditions it
contained, if not, the world was before jme, I might go
whither I chose, but from his house, and his presence, I
must be for ever banished. My proud spirit over-
mastered prudence, gratitude, and every other feeling ;
I threw the deed from me, and refused to be bound by
any rules such as it prescribed whatever was the conse-
quence. The document was then burned before my
face, and I was discarded. But just as I was leaving
the house, I saw the good, but eccentric man, who had
so long protected me, standing in the way I had to go,
waiting to speak to me a parting word. At the sight of
tears upon^his face, I believe I felt some pangs of shame
and regret, but if so I am confident neither my words
nor manner betrayed them. He held out to me a
pocket-book, which I have no doubt contained bank
notes to a large amount, and begged me to take it as a
final gift. I proudly declined, thanked him in the
strongest terms for all his unexampled liberality to me,
and hoped he would find some worthier being on whom
to shower his remaining bounties. Thus we parted,
and I became a common sailor in a vessel of superior
sailing powers, on the Canadian waters.

" Now, my children, you will easily guess that I was
Kf I made happier by this cliange. For a little while I
pleased myself with my apparent freedom from restraint,
and set myself with all my heart and mind to learn the
art of^ ship-management. But too soon the realities of
my condition forced tliemselves upon my nolico. I
found I was placed among companions who excited in

THE CANADIAN OIRt.

197

lue disgust and dislike, and that I was subordinate to
men, whose arrogance, tyranny, sensuality, and want of
mental refinement, also made me hate and despise them.
For some time I kept myself aloof from all, and hid the
passions which burned within me, employing myself un-
weariedly with my new profession, and making myself
master of both its theory and practice. At length, my
success, and some accidental praises which it drew forth
from the master of the vessel, brought upon 'me the
envy of the crew, who already jeered me for my lofty
humours as they termed them, and detested me because
I would not join them in their vulgar carousals. I left"
this ship, and joined myself to another of still larger con-
struction, and of a different craft, which sailed farther
out, and in waters more difficult of navigation. My ob-
ject was to perfect myself as much as possible in sea-
mansliip in order that I might ultimately raise myself to
the command of a vessel. And after beating about a
good while, and suffering much that I should be glad to
forget, I did get advanced until I was second in com-
mand, and, I believe, I may boldly say first in skill, on
board the Antelope, owned by Captain Barry. Drink
again my son."

The Pirate averted his face for a minute, and then
drank deep of the rich wine ; Clinton took a turn across
the cabin ; Jane felt uneasy, at once being conscious
tiiat both were in possession of some dreadful secret con-
nected with the Antelope of which they wished to spare
her the knowledge. The suspicion entered her mind that
her father had really destroyed the good old captain,
and she turned exceedingly pale ; l)ut (he dreadful idea
was instantly overcome; noverthcles?, it was '.villi fcaiTul

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TIIR C.^MAftfAN OIRI,,

expectation that she heard her f;l.ther resume his nar-
rative. ^1'' .- .- -'•■ ' " u '

*' The next event of importance which I must reJate
to you," resumed the Pirate, " is my first meeting with
your mother. It happened in thia w4y : — Captain
Barry had a particular acquaintance living n6ar the
sea-coast in. England, and in one of my earlie^tt voyages
to the mother country, with the Captain, I was invited
with him to spend a day at this gentleman's house. I
went, and there became acquainted with your mother,
who was on a visit at the house, being at the time in
delicate health, and on terms of intimate friendship with
the gentleman's eldest daughter.

" I wish that I could describe to you the only woman
I ever loved as I remember her at that time. That
picture of her which js before you was taken several
years afterwards, when hardship and Sorrow had taken
the gloss from her beauty. I say beauty, though none
ever called her in the strict sense a beautiful woman:
but she had a fine delicacy of complexion — a sweetness
of expression about the mouth — and a bashful, but deep
tenderness in the eyes — which, if it was not beauty, I
know not what other name to give it. You may see by
the likeness that hers was not a common face. It shows
her fair, but she was much fairer than the painter could
delineate, for hers was a fairness of the soul which shone
through her countenance. Her hair was extremely light
and soft, as it appears in the portrait ; but that shade of
melancholy diffused over her forehead and mouth was
not there when first I knew her.

" You have read the wooing of Shakspeare's Othello,
Nicholas ; well, mine in some respects resembled it. I

TRB CANADIAN OIRL.

199.

WM full of stories of American life and s^^a adventures ;
/le young lady loved to listen to them, and the more I
narrated the more she seemed interested ; and the more
she listened the more I had to narrate, until we were
both so pleased with each other's society that it became
necessary to our happiness. Our ship lay-to off that-
coast a fortnight^ during which I contrived to see the
charming girl who had bewitched me nearly every day.
The Antelope then steered up the Thames to London,
and on returning anchored at the same coast, where I
again renewed my acquaintance with your mother, and.
asked her to become a sailor's wife. '

" Poor Fanny ! then her sorrows began. She was in
character just what her daughter is now — serious, affec-
tionate, mild, and of a most filial temper. Her parents
objected to me on grounds that I have since seen to be
reasonable enough, but which I then thought frivolous
and arbitrary. She had been brought up in a strictly
religious way — I had no concern about or regard for
religion : she was of quiet, domestic habits of life— I had
DO other home but a ship, and was constantly roving
over the wide world of waters. But these objections,
and others like them, my passion would not listen to. I
daily pressed for an union, and at last, when the time
of my departure from England was fixed, my earnestness
overcame Fanny's scruples, and we were privately mar-
ried in a village church near the house in which we first
met. Thus love conquered, and so I thought it ought
to do ; but at that time I d'd not comprehend the tender
and conscientious spirit I had won. She drooped under
self blame, for the violation of duty to her parents. * I
have given them sorrow,' was her cry, ' who never gzwe

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200

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

mo Other than happiness ; the tears and the sighs of my
father and my mother will always be present with me
go where I will ; their home was a paradise, until my
disobedience set regret and misery in it; their broken
peace will pursue me to my last hour, though I go to the
ends of the earth.'

* When those complaints came to be repeated, I was
annoyed and angry. I told her I would have sacrificed
twenty parents, and twenty sets of brothers and sisters
into the bargain, for her sake. * Ah, my love,' said
she, * you never knew the love and tenderness of one
such father and mother as mine, or I hope you would
not say so.'

" Her father was just setti'ig out to fetch her back to
net home, when she arrived there to take her farewell of
him and of the rest of the family. She took with her
the friend with whom she had been on a visit in order
that the intelligence of her marriage might be softened
to her relatives by the kind representations of that lady.
They received that intelligence with bitter grief, but
after the first burst of trouble was over Fanny received
every kindness from them which it was in their power
to bestow. I received a note from her desiring me to
come to her at the parsonage. I complied with her wish,
though it was no wish of mine, for I had no desire to see
the persons who had so opposed my suit. The reception
I met was one of genuine feeling, and I felt that it was
a pity to remove Fanny from such a happy, peaceful
circle, as were there gathered. I felt that I had com-
mitted an error in clandestinely obtaining her hand —
an error whose bitter fruits I could not then count, and,
after listening to the truly unselfish speeches of the erooa

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

901

father for an hour or two, I was so wrought upon, that I
offered to quit my claim upon Fanny, to renounce her
society, and to leave her still in the bosom of her family.
But this proposal was on no side received with assent.
The clergyman declared tiiat to part man and wife was a
sin ho durst not commit. She was mine, and to me he
commended her, hoping I would never forget my mar-
riage vow. Fanny threw herself on my neck before all
the family, and affirmed that she would never desert me
willingly. I then promised that as sopn as I reached
Canada again I would settle jthere w|th the little money
I was to receive as Fanny's marriage portion, and after
that only make short voyages upon the Canadian waters.
With this understanding my vf ife and I led England."

** But father," said Jane, with something of surprise
in her looks and tones, " I always supposed you had
parents in Canada when my mother came out with you
from Britain. All you have told us jof your early life is
very new to me."

** I Jiave had peculiar reasons, Jenny," said the jPi-
rate, with fin unconscious sigh of mental pain, " lor
keeping you in the dark uppn many points— some ojT
them I shall presently confess, as I am at my confessions.
5four mother knew the truth of my birth and breeding,
and she did not expect, what she did not receive, the
kindness of any friends of inine when she reached th^
end of her voyage.

" Our married life," he continued, " was not happy.
To trace step by step the progress of our unhappiness would
be too much for me at present, but I will plainly tell
you the real sources whence it proceeded as it appears
jto me. If Fanny had been of a more adventurous^

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302

ttia CANADIAN OIRL,

spirited, ambitions cliaractcr, I sliouldliavo boon happier
with her ; 1 should not have I jvivl jjor so tondorly as 1
did, but I should have been hapi)i('r u!th her. This
was tlio principal fountain of our inftlicity I fool por-
' suadt'd, and others sprang out of and with it. She re-
gretted her separation froni her relatives too much, and
too much lamented the sinj^lo act of filial disobedience
which she had committed. She too little entered into
my schemes of enterprise — too little cared for my worldly
advancement. She was too anxious for quiet and retire-
ment — and, to speak the truth, too much loved virtue
and religion.

" In Quebec I furnished a small house for her, and
there you, Nicholas, were born, and there some of your
mother's saddest hours were spent." ' ''^' • "^ "

At this point of the Pirate's narrative the noise over-
head was repeated, and Jane, half rising from the sofia,
looked alarmed. The Pirate pi essed her gently back to
her seat. • '•'

" Sit you still," said he ; " do not fear, Toby is faith-
ful to me, he will keep a watch on the two villains above
deck, and if they are not to be otherwise checked, I will
silence them by harsher measures than I have yet used."

The noise came nearer — several loud feet were heard
coming down the companion-ladder, and a person fell
down heavily to the foot of it. The Pirate seized his
pistols, and stood at the cabin door. Clinton rose tip
and took the hand of his newly-found sister to quiet her
apprehensions.

" Do you know what is the matter ?" he asked. '

She answered in an under tone, and with hurried
.breath, " Two of the worst men of this evil crew have

TllR CANADIAN OIRL.

903

often (liroatonoJ father with — hark ! — yes, it ii them who
have ronie down. Toby's voice, too — Hurely it was not
him who foil ! Kind old Toby, who once saved me in
the waters at the risk of his own lifo — what can they be
quarrelling abont now?" she added. ' ' •• » i t

" Jenny — Jenny — sit down, and be at your ease !"
said the Pirate, with hasty and anxious gestures, which
prevented tlio elToct upon her that he wished.

** Cap'n, coinooiit!" exclaimed a coarso voice out-
side the cabin door ; " come out, and clear yerself !'*

The doo was ins»antly thrown open by the Pirate,
and with pistol cocked ho stepped out, saying with pei-
fect self-possession, but in a manner calculated to daunt
every adversary, " Who speaks? Of what am I called
upon to clear myself? Hah ! Toby on the ground !'*
ho cried, in sterner accents, " how came he there ?"

The old sailor had struck his head against the foot o
the ladder, and was stunned. The Pirate raised him
jstill keeping liis eye on the two men, and kneeling on
one knee. Raising his powerful voice, he called up to
the seamen above —

" How did Haverstraw get in this condition ?"

A black looking down, replied, *^ Massa Captin, dat
Jonas it was who trow him down de steps. Me will tell
de truth, Jonas, if me die for't. You did trow de old
man down, cause him say to you de Captin had not sold
de vessel to de Governor in Toronto. Michael and
Jo las s;iy, Massa Captin, dat you hab been in de town
to sell de vessel and de brave buccaneers. Dey say dat
you hab brought aboord one of de Governor's people to
spy de vessel, and they will hab his life and kill yoa
too.'*

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THE CANADIAN OIRL.

" Cuss you, yon black fool !'' exclaimed Jonas Iroin
below, between his teeth, " I wish I was behind you, I
do ! Take care of yerself, you tarnation fool you — take
care of yer sooty self, from this minute! As sartin as
ever you had a cowskin whistling about your cussed
back, you shall have a feel of my knife yet, you shall !"
: ** Me tell de truth, Jonas," said the black, coming
down a step or two of the ladder, having a cutlass
drawn in his hand. *' Me am not frightened wid big
words. You' say Massa Captin sell dis vessel and de
brave buccaneers to de Governor, and you trow down
old Toby cause him take Massa Captin's part; and
you say — "

Here one of ♦^^ two desperadoes below made a rush
at the black, and succeeded in pulling him down ; uut
the Pirate, letting Haverstraw's )iead and shoulders fall
back to the ground, stood between them, and in low,
but emphatic iones^ exclaimed —

" Not another word or movement of discord here^ or
you die! Silence, friendly, faithful negro! Silence,
Michael, Jonas — malicious disturbers ! Be hushed, all
of you, and go up above ! I will come to you there, and
satisfy the crew, if they are to be satisfied, concerning
things in which they would never have doubted me, had
it not been for your good offices, Michael and Jonas !"
, J Jonas, who was a short, stout-built personage, with
A face of most villainous expression, said, in reply

** The crew aint to be satisfied ; they know who'g
who, and what's what. They know you have been to
the Governor's, and mean to swamp the vessel, and give
tip the buccaneers to swing outside Toronto gaol, or on
a hiccory-branch by lynch-law. They have had a hye

THB CANADIAN OIAL.

205

on your outsailings and insailings, for tills manj-a-day,
they have, and 'tis no manner of use spinning 'em any
more smooth yarns, Cap'n, for they know what it comes
to.'-

" Villain !" muttered the Pirate, who trembled lest
his son and daughter should have heard what had passed ;
for their sakes he dissembled a little, and said, with as
much calmness as he could command— :ti , i. ...

" Here I will say not a word more — ^hear not a word.
Go on deck, I will come in a second or two ; and then,
whether you Michael and Jonas shall be heard, or
whether I shall be heard — whether you shall be masters
of the ears and confidence of the crew, or whether I shall
have my due influence in my own ship— must be at
once, and permanently, decided. Now go on deckj"
he said to the black, " go up good fellow, you have
done me a great service — it shall not go unrewarded — "
." No, nigger, it shant, I promise thee," said Michael,
meaningly, who, a little taller than his choice companion,
Jonas, strikingly resembled him, and had the same sorv
of forbidding personal characteristics — the same thick
neck, low forehead, large lips, and eyes devoid of any
redeeming expression. " No, Cap'n," he went on, with
the most triumphant and daring malignity, " above
deck I will not go. You have a critter of the Governor's
in that same cabin of yourn ; let him come out and
show himself. He and his employers would give us a
taste of lynching, I guess," cried the fellow raising his
voice ; " let him come out, and he shall give us his
opinion if it's suitable to his own palate !" i..j, :

Often had the Pirate been in extreme danger from
the lawless and ferocious tempers of the men with whom

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THB CANADIAN OIRL.

'y ^fl!:!!'

lie was associated, but never before had he felt the d!i<*
may which he felt now. Clinton was in imminent peril
awing to a mistaken notion of his errand here being spread
among the sailors — how was the father to dispossess the
band of the poisonous idea in time to rescue him ? Having
scarcely a moment for reflection the Pirate double-
locked the cabin door on the outside, secured the key,
and, calling on the black to follow him, hastened up
the ladder. : ' ' ' - ^-

The negro was a young runaway American slave ; his
frame, which was well knit, and of the middle height,
had no other clothing than trowsers of striped cotton,
and a blue shirt left unfastened at his sable neck and
breast ; his face was not unpleasing ; there was some-
thing frank and open about the lines of his mouth, and
something xifectionate and generous in the sparkle of
his eyes. Merry, as he was named, had been a favourite
in the ship; he had, up to the present time, offended f\o
onCj but obliged and cheered even the most sullen by
his good humour and accommodating disposition. To
two persons he had remarkably attached himself from
the first hour of his admission into the vessel— those
persons were the Captain aud ancient Haverstraw.

** Keep close to me, Merry, my good fellow," said
the Pirate, speaking under his breath, and pausing an
mstant at the top of the ladder. ' ft'i) , uh^ini Jw'* *:

*' Yes, Massa Captin — me at your heels — me stand
hy you,'* whispered the black ; " but dere bo big black
looks ready for you, l can tell, Massa, and amost a
bushel of swords de men got out of de room where you
lock *em up, and powder too. By gor, Massa, dey go*
jwwder in all dere pistols, and balls too — de rascals !'*

V.-

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

20'''

said

** Hah ! have they been to the powder rbbm 1" ex-
claimed the Pirate. " Well, Merry, never mind, wo
must make the best of a bad mattei ; now come on, and
be sure you speak not a word, or half a word, nor lift
3'our hand, unless I bid you."

" Me hear, Massa Captin — me mind what him say,"
said the black.

The (leek was crowded with seamen, all armed as if
for a fight ; there was whispering on one hand, and loud
and fierce talking on the other ; some men were walking
up and down with moody and dangerous looks, and some
in a group were waiting the approach of the Pirate.

" 1 thought that when I came up last I had dispersed
you all to your employments," said he, quietly but
sternly ; " how is it ihen 1 find you, here in this disor-
derly way ? Do you want to bring immediate destruc-
tion on us 1 Do you not think that passing vessels and
boats have already observed you ? Come, come away
to your places, while there is a probability of your being
gafe. Put by your arms and disperse."

After a little fear and hesitation the sailors declared
their determination not to separate or q 't their pos-
tures of defiance.

" Jonas says you have sold us to the Governor," said
one sailor.

*' Jonas lies !" exclaimed the Pirate.

" Michael says that you have a spy of the Toronto
assembly men in your cabin now."

*' Michael lies!" a^fain exclaimed the Pirate.

The two causers of the disturbance now came up,
defermlnod not to let pass this opportunity for ruining
the Captain, as they had for some time waited for such

!!|

|t:!l

It
i

208

TnB CANADl/lN GIRL.

ail one. They stood face to face with him, and with
snameless looks reasserted their falsehoods. The sailors
every moment grew more irritated and more deadly
minded. Clinton's life was demanded. The Pirate's
features grew darkly pale, and his heart quaked.

" Merry," he whispered, grasping the black's wrists,
*' my faithful Merry, get ont the small boat — be hasty,
and tell me when it is ready ; you may do it, perhaps,
wjth a little skill and boldness." /

" Me hab got it ready — it is on de water, Massa Cap-
tin, awaiting for you. Me saw de debil in all de crew,
and me was afeard for you and Fader Toby, so me said
noting, but dropped de boat down from de vessel side
while all de sailors were busy wid de bad notions dat
Michael and Jonas put into 'em — de rascals !'*

" I shall not forget this goodwill, this forethougth of
yours, Merry. You say true, the evil spirit is indeed
in the minds of these men at present, and I have no
power to drive it thence, I fear, good fellow."

The Pirate then turned to the men who were on the
point of rushing down to drag forth Clinton from the
cabin, and said, not without signs of agitation, ^' You
will stop an instant, sailors ! Generous ^ndjust men — r
you will hear me tell you who he is you are going to des-
troy. He is — my own son ! Do you credit me ? I tell
you he is my «on! His mother, whose bones and ashes
lie in Quebec, was the wife of my bosom. Now, if you
will, bring him up ! — insult him ! — injure him ! — take from
him that breath he derivdd from me — from me — your
Captain, whom you have each sworn, yes, swotn, to serve
and ol>oy ! Why do you not go to fetch him to death ?
1 will not stir a muscle — I will stand still and look oq

THK CANADIAN OruL.

— T w\]\ be still and passive — while my son it in his
expiring agonies !"

The listeners were, startled, surprised, moved ; they
appeared irresolute, and looked one on another.

" Some of you have been fathers !" continued the
Pirate more vehemently — " What of that — bring up my
son to death ! Some of you, exiles though you now are
from society, have lived in it in times past as I have, and
have been married to the women of your hearts. — What
of that — bring up the first-born of my wife to death ! I
have been true to you to the present moment — I have
made no gain but what you have shared — I have been
the first here to expose myself to danger, and the last
to shrink from hardship — I have hourly consulted your
comforts — I have daily promoted your interests. But
what of that ! — You have conceived a suspicion against
me. Fetch up my son — my only son — and sacrifice
him — I will not stir a hand to save him from your
malice !" and so folding his arms, the Pirate sat down
on a seat at the side of the deck.

In the meantime Jane and Clinton remained in sus-
pense in the cabin. The latter concealed the extent of
his own fears in order that he might support the spirits
of his sister. They had heard all that had passed at the
foot of the companion-ladder, and both now stood close
to the cabin door anxiously listening to every sound that
came from the deck. Presently they heard Toby Haver-
straw get up and totter. Jane spoke to him, and asked
if he had beon hurt by his fall.

" No, my dear Miss," he answered feebly ; " my
nead is a little confused, that's all, but it will soon go
ofl?'

i6 M

•Mm

mlh

2X0

m CANADIAN OIBl.

He was ascending the ladder with weak steps to se*
what was passing above, and, if he could, to render his
Captain assistance, when the latter came down hastily.

" I am glad, Toby, to see you on your legs again,*
said he, " especially as I want to send you ashore in-
stantly. Hark you, go up, say not a word to any of the
men if you can avoid it, put yourself as quietly as pos-
sible in the boat which is on the water, and, as soon as
this young stranger now in my cabin is by your slJe,
push ofT, and move as quickly as you like to Toronto
beach.'*

The old man did not stay to speak a word, but made
all haste to fulfil his Captain's request.

The cabin door was unlocked ; the Pirate entered,
still with assumed composure. His countenance, how-
ever, was flushed and dark, and there was a slumberinj;
vengeance in his eye, which angered ill, at some future
nour, for those who had chafed, and humbled, and dis-
turbed him. . . .. • . ,

" Nicholas," said he, with a smile, " I must cut
short our conference. Much that I had intended to say
to you must be left unsaid until a more favourable op-
portunity. Embrace your sister, and part from her at
once, the boat waits for you. Her heart will be with
you while you are absent from her; for to be affectionate
to the relatives God has given her, is part of her religion,
as it was of her mother's."

Now Jane was alternately pressed to the heart of her
lither and her brother. " These days of terror !" she
exclaimed ; " would to God they were passed I"

" They will only pass, I fear, with my life," said Hae
Firate, gloom suddenly overshadowing his whole aspect;

TMB QANADIAN OIRL

211

and, after a few brief sentences more, Clinton Iteft the
cabin. As he was about to spring into the boat, he was
detained by one of the men who had endeavoured to ex-
cite a mutiny.

« You must not go, young gentleman," said he,
" until you have signed yourself as one of us ; so that if
we should be truflsed on a gibbet for the entertainment
of the good folks in Toronto, you may keep us com-
pany.»' ^

Seeing several ruffianly individuals standing by thtt
speaker, armed, Clinton, after an unavailing remon-
atrance, deemed it only prudent to comply with the un-
pleasant demand. After he had placed his name at the
bottom of the list of pirates, he was allowed to enter the
boat, and Haverstraw, who was already in it, instantly

i rowed off. They had not gone many yards before a shot
came whistling by the head of Clinton, and dropped
harmlessly in the lake. This made Toby hasten the
progress of the little bark, which soon floated in safety

, aijOie edge of the- fine, clean, limestone beach of gravel

t '■• < ' •,' •■ ('' ^ ' '''"■. 'A '>* -f

■"**(

•it\ >'li, ) ' ., .}) ' ■' ;n; 1 Vljl

■t f

, "' 1 "< ',t'i;'(f ' -i* , /• '«' ; '-- ,;f,g

^H'-i'Ti'':-; ■ ',.;.fttt ■<■'•» ■;■*■:<»'«.-} ^r?-?!.'-/!'- -:?!tt'-''^'*' "'

HtX

tHB CANADIAN OlftL.

'Mi

y.v *'■

J/: wi, . y*> CHAPTER XII.

yi:f;)JrJ

^r- , ^.)/tfr

** Fuewell again \ and yet
Muat it iiiide«d be itf— attd oti thii shore
;: C Od r t i>f '/. . SlwU you sad I ao more

Together seethe sun of the summer set." — Barry GtrnMoK.

-•li KiitW U» /'i<jW;t'lU^ i

ti\h ij iiiOiiod

THE afternboti tiad been extreihely hot and b»^t,
thdugti the Vrinter "^as dose at hand. The evening
came oh Soft and ihetlo# in its mofte sober coloui4ngs.
tlie blue-winged duck flew over the tranquil WatiM of
the lake, beneath a sky so splendid that it Wottld 'iMvxe
the gaudiest pageant of man^s invention. YelloW iiil<Mkd8
were sprinkled over the wide blue ether, becoming, to«
ward the west, gorgeous with other brilliant colours ;
and there was the mighty sun himself, his enlarged disk
just ready to dip beneath the water, that burned with a
golden glory, streaming out far across the lucid tide
toward the beach.

After Haverstraw returned to the ship, Clinton walked
by (he lake, endeavouring to calm the fever of his mind
by the tranquillising influences of nature, which he of all
men was fitted to understand and feel. But there were
at least two spirits in his breast which the most potent
spells of nature could not exorcise— conscience and

1*'

YttH bAMAttUH blHL.

AtS

piuKion. New tieii v^bre ttonr dAtwined araiiiid hitti, with
new sorrows, new pains, new. anxieties. His father he
had been prepared to love, even before he met htm, and
he now did love him — yes, love him even for his errors'
sake. But his sister, fihe ^as a character so excellent
in her unobtrusiveness, in her pUrity, in lier gentleness, in
her piety, and in her devetedness to her parent, that he
shrank back from himself with abhorrence when he
thought of her. It had been with inward shame that he
had sat in her presence — remembering all that had passed
in the Pastor's settlement — ^knowing that she was a
mourner for Lucy, whdse dfeath he justly charged him-
self with having caused — and feeling satisfied that she, at
least, had suspected latterly the truth of his statements
regarding the son of the backwoodsman.
, There was no relief under heaven ^er him from the
burden of his conscience. If enow learned that a loaded
conscience is an awful thing, and will permit no peace to
its possessor, unless it be the peace which stupid indiffer-
ence yields — and Clinton was not moulded for that, -^j
, bnce, after a fit of deep, remorseful melancholy, he
•topped abruptly in his walk, raised his eyes from the
gravel, and, while u. light Suddenly flashed i^ them, and
while his cheek burned, the name bf ** Lady Hester,"
hroke audibly from his lips, in an accent of lively
passion. All other feelings — ties-^remembrances— ob-
ligations — were cast in an ini^ant from his mind^ She,
and she alone, was now the ' "^iject of his heated thoughte.
Ite recalled. With danget . 's minuteness, every l^ord
which hd had overheard her say to tihe Governor's lady**-
her sobs, her vehement utteiranc'e, and her expreasfois
of hatred against her husband, t^e dWiBlt npmi ten

214

THB OAMAOIAN OUL.

li^mM i:

' m

'li

flitiirely absorbed, until his train of thought was inter-
lupted by the passin^j by of many persons. He then
found that he had unconsciously walked with very rapid
steps to the most frequented part of the beach, and that
his look of abstraction had already drawn upon him the
notice of several iudividuals.

Rather confused by this discovery he stood still, and
affected to be engaged in observing the motions of half
a dozen men who were conveying stores into a strong
steam vessel, upon which the eyes of many curious gos-
sips, male and female, were assiduously bent From the
flying small t'^lk which was alive among them, he
learned that this was the vessel appointed to " hunt the
Pirate," and that forty picked men were paid to man it.

How miraculously had a few hours altered his feelings
with regard to tha^ Pirate ; he could not look upon the
vesfi<>l v^ithcut a sick shudder; his right hand closed
on the air tightly, so that the nails pierced the palm, as
if some instrument of death were in it for that Pirate's
defence.

As he was anxious to escape the crowd of loiterers of
the lower orders, which the closing of the hours of trade,
end the calmness of the evening, had drawn forth from
the streets of Toronto, he ascended the nearest cliffii, on
whose white sides the amber flood of the sunlight rested
with beautiful effect.

He proceeded with unwearied steps along the head of
the line of clifis, meeting few persons, and choosing flie
wildest tracks in order that he might meet with fewer. At
length, he sat down to rest near the edge of the precipice,
on a spot which was well known for the prospect it
&£B)rded— perhaps the finest of the fine ones for whida

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

215

Toronto cliffs are distinguished. At first, in darkness
of soul, lie suffered his head to drop upon a rock, and
closed his eyes ; then forgetting himself, started up, and
as he thought of Lady Hester — married — wrung hii
hands and groaned. Afterwards he shed tears, as he
looked over the wide spread lake, and saw the distant
vessel which contained his outlawed father and his home-
less sister.

Imagining himself to be perfectly alone he did not re-
strain in the least the outward expression of his feelings,
but found a relief in giving them free vent ; when he grew
calmer, he drew the parts of a flute from his pocket,
screwed them together, with a sigh raised the instru-
ment to his lips, and played upon it the air of a song
which had been composed by Lady Hester during his
first acquaintance with her, and which he had often sang
to tlie unfortunate Lucy. The notes charmed him, and
something of a fanciful delight stole over his senses.

Withdrawing the flute from his lips, at the close of a
third repetition of the air, he surveyed the scene before
him, and several exquisite descriptions of such objects as
he beheld, in the poets of his own country, occurred to
his memory.

Facing him was the western horizon with all its mag-
nificent clouds, where the sun had a few minutes before
disappeared ; nearly in the same direction were shores
covered to the water's edge with majestic woods, whose
frequent openings revealed the white houses of flourishing
settlers from Europe. Golden Ught, reflected by the
trans,)arent water, was slowly retreating from thit
cheering part of the picture, and was becoming replacea
Iv tender and varied shadows little less beautiful.

816

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

'«

( r

in.

i \

" There arc homes of happiness 1" said Clinton, as ht
watched, with an eye expressive of many sorrowful re-
grets, such as had not been accustomed to find a Iods;e-
ment in his breast, the lights that cheerfully twinkled
among the darker woods ; " but I-— and those dear to
me — are wanderers !" Then his glance went farther out
oa the prospect — , i „ ,.

" Wandering among the lawny islands fair, , '

Whose bloBsomy forests starred the shadowy deep."

Those islands slept in tranquil shade on their own
mirrored resemblances, for the lake was so clear that
every where it gave accurate reflections of the objects
on its surface.

" Ah," said Clinton, " I could dream now of a bower
of love on one of yonder lovely islands — no society btit
the ancient trees and their denizens, and the bmoved
object — what would be the censure of the world to ua
there ? She, whose name is set in diamonds in my soul,
should then never weep again — she should never be
again the slave of a foul tyrant !" ...

A dew broke out on his forehead — wild ideas were
brooding in his mind, and he pronounced, in impassioned
accents, some lines of a rhapsodist of poetry who had
been bewildered like himself with ungoverned feelings
of the heart and fancy.

The breeze from the lake had grown brisker as the
evening advanced, and it was just at the present moment
that it bore toward Clinton a scarf, which dropped nearly
beside his feet. He looked along the clifl^, on the side
where the article had been buoyed along, and saw two
ladies at some distance who were proceeding with slow
steps toward the town. He instantly took up the scarf,

i'i

TlIC CANADIAN rJlRL,

v»r

.'I

and followed them with it, but when he had gone somo
way ho stopped — the figures of tho ladies were those of
Mrs. Markham and Lady Hester. Ho directly suspected
that they had witnessed his strange reverie — if so, Lady
Hester was in possession of tho present state of his
feelings ; but the distance from the place where ho had
been sitting corrected this idea. His heart throbbed
with mingled and intense emotions as he approached
her — she was just looking around for the stray article.

** Madam," said he; she started, and that trembling
intonation of voice went directly to her heart. " This
scarf, I believe, is yours. The wind conveyed it to my
feet, and I am happy in the opportunity of restoring it
to its owner."

" I thank you, Mr. Clinton,*' sail she, very softly,
and without looking at him.

At that instant Mrs. Markham felt the left hand of
Lady Hester press heavy on her arm ; she perceived also
that her young friend trembled, and on looking in her
face, saw her eyelids sinking with faintness, and her lips
turning white. Clinton also observed these symptoms
of agitation, and again he triumphed inwardly with a
bitter joy. ' . -

Presently the ladies rested on a seat, and Clinton
stv)od by the side of Mrs. Markham conversing with her
oil the beauties of the view, his manner combining tho
most gentlemanly case and gracefulness, with that mo-
dest distance suitable to his circumstances.

" This evening has really been most enchanting,"
said he, after some previous talk; " one regrets to see it
fade." He sighed, and glancing toward Lady Hester re-
peated expressively —

2 F

1213 JlUl CAVi^riAN GIRL.

" ' Yet even then, while peace was sinking,
Her halcyon song o'er land and sea,
Tho' joy and hope to others bringing,
She only brought new tears to me.'

Such hours — such scenes as this — should not be pro-
faned by gloom. It was for your clear and serene spirits,
ladies, that such were made," he added, with an air of
gallantry.

Lady Hester arose as he said' this ; her self-command,
great as it usually was, had nearly forsaken her ; she felt
unable to bear more, and asked Mrs. Markham if she
Mim ivilling to proceed, as night was setting in.

" For a moment longer let me detain you," said
Clinton, going to the side of Lady Hester, and pointing
over the lake. " Observe that remarkable high-land
in the distance, how boldly and beautifully it is defined
against that soft sky — and those refractions of the lake
at different parts, how lovely and singular they are."

Lady Hester replied to his remarks on the scenery in
monosyllables, and carefully avoided meeting his eye.

Mrs. Markham was so much pleased with the young
man that she would have asked him to walk with them
into Toronto, had she not again seen too visibly impressed
on Lady Hester's face, the pain of mind she was en-
during.

" We shall hardly get home before it is quite dark,
my dear;" said Mrs. Markham, rising and drawing her
shawl more over her shoulders. She took Lady Hester's
arm ; " We have loitered much too long here, you have
some fatigue you know, my dear, to bear to-morrow.
Mr. Clinton, you have heard I suppose at what hour
tlie packet will leave Toronto T'

i'i

V_-

TUB CANADIAN GIRL.

219

Do you mean, raaclam, the vessel in which I am to

»»

sai

1?"

" Yes, that one which the Governor has been so busy
lifting out for the capture of this Pirate whom all the
folks are talking about."

" No, I have not received any notice to day from his
Excellency, to acquaint me with the time proposed for
setting out ; indeed I have not been in the town since
morning."

" Then you have not heard the nf*ws of the Pirate,
with which the whole town is already ringing from one
end to the other T'

" What news, madam ? said Clinton, eagerly. " No
— I have heard none 1"

" It was reportec?. to the Governor, while he was sit-
ting at his wine after dinner, that a brig had been
plundered close to the harbour last night by the Pirate's
men, and that he himself had been seen on the beach to
day in disguise."

" Indeed !" exclaimed Clinton. " And his Excellency
is satisfied of the truth of the report?"

" O, perfectly ; but, more than all, it is said that the
pirates are really in the haruour now, under a false ap-
pearance. The Governor intends as soon as it is dark
to-night, to make a private scrutiny, and, if he discovers
nothing, you will be called ou to join the bold band who
are engaged to search for the privateers, at ten o'clock
next forenoon."

" I shall be quite ready," said Clinton.

" I wish you less difficulty and danger with your en-
terprise than I fear you will have — and good weather
too," said Mrs. Markham ; " the water and the sky

220

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

II,. ii

promise well for you at present. I hope their flattering
appearances may not prove deceitful."

" Lady Cleveland too, I have heard," said Clinton,
diffidently, " intends to quit Toronto by water in a few
hours — for her I hope the elements may be calm, I am
indifferent to their changes for my own sake." These
words, spoken with ill-disguised tenderness, were not
lost on Lady Hester.

" Well, we may not see you again — at least not until
this projected expedition is over," said Mrs. Markham.
*' I sincerely wish you well. Your life has been unfor-
tunate hitherto I know ; but you must not despond ;
you cannot tell what good things Providence may yet
have in store for you."

" It can have nothing better for me^ madam, in this
world," said Clinton, " than the good wishes of a heart
like yours."

Mrs. Markham's eyes were moistened with the tears
of kindness as she gave him her hand, and pronounced
a final good bye, her heart full of the melancholy tale
'vhich Lady Hester had told her of his early disappoint-
nent. Lady Hester, also, just as they were turning
from him, offered her hand ; he took it, pressed it, and
said, fervently, " Peace and health be with you, lady !"

Thus this unexpected meeting terminated — but not
so its consequences.

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

221

CHAPTER XIII.

Misfortune binds tts in her powerful bands ;

Danger enchains us heart to heart ; and fear.

And need, and sorrow, and remorse,

Draw round our hapless selves a circle channed.^Man/ Bennett.

Clinton determined, at all hazards, to apprise his
father of his danger. Having left the value of a small
canoe with its owner, he paddled himself out from a re-
tired sand-bank, at the foot of the cliffs, and made to-
wards the spot where the Pirate's vessel lay.

It was between ten and eleven o'clock, there was no
moon, and only a few scattered stars in the sky, but it
was sufficiently light for him to je enabled to avoid
coming in contact with any of tiie boats and canoes
wliich still plyed on the lake. He found the ship he
sought, moved from its former position, and^ spreading
all its sails to the wind as if about to wing its way to ?.
safer distance from its pursuers. Lanterns were moving
about the decks, and as Clinton glided under the gun-
wale he heard the voice of the Pirate issuing commands
to the crew. His mind was instantly relieved of some
of its apprehensions. " All is quiet within the ship,"
said he to himself — " that is a happiness !"

•' •

!'•

222

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

" Who goes there ?" shouted a pair of brazen lungs
Irom the edge of the forecastle.

" It is I — ^your Captain's son," answered Clinton, in
a voice only just loud enough to make itself heard. " I
bring you important intelligence."

" Why did you come so close without hailing us V*
said the speaker in the ship : " you might have had a
half score of bullets into your boat before you had thought
of saying your prayers."

The Pirate started when he heard that his son had
returned to the ship. He was standing by the foremast,
and without moving he waited Clinton's appearance, still
giving directions to the seamen in clear, sonorous tones,
not allowing himself to appear conscious of any inter-
ruption.

The animated, yet orderly scene, which the vessel
presented to Clinton's eye when he stepped upon deck,
was new to him, and inspired him with interest. As he
walked from the half deck to the forecastle he looked
on all sides, then upwards at the shining cordage of the
rigging. The privateers were busy every where, and
their Captain's orders were repeated and answered by
them, both below and aloft, in that wild, monotonous
recitative, which is so pleasing on the water to a ro-
mantic ear.

The Pirate beckoned to Clinton to stand by him,
then proceeded with his duty. When all the ship was
in perfect sailing order, and the privateers were each
set in their respective places ready to unfetter the ship
from ber moorings, and to guide it out into deeper
waters, before he exchanged a word with his son, he
called near two men, and said —

TIIM CANADIAN GIRL.

223

" There shall not one word pass between me and this
juung man on his present visit hither but in your pre-
sence. You have seen that I have not yet spoken with
him. I demand that you will now be witnesses for me
with the rest of the crew, and repeat to them every sen-
tence you will hear pass between us. I sacrifice my
private feelings to the peace and safety of the ship. I
shall behave to my son as to a stranger, in order that
the confid^ce of my men, now once again restored to
mo, may be preserved."

The two mariners he addressed muttered something
to the effect that they did not wish to separate father
and son. Now the Pirate, though he made concessions
to his men as a body, was too wary to do so with them
indhiduiilly, but he made every man personally feel
strictly subordinate to him. As he would make no con-
cessions but to the whole crew, so he would receive no
remission of them but from the whole; therefore, as if
he had not heard what the two men whom he had called
near bad spoken, he turned to Clinton.

" Nicholas," said he, " what has brought you back
to this ship to-night ? Have you forgot the peril in which
you were so recently placed by the suspicion that was
here entertained against you ?"

" I have come," said Clinton, " to tell you that the
Governor is making strict search for you in the harbour.
Even while I speak, armed officers are just at hand pre-
pared to surround you."

" How has he learnt we were in the harbour ?" asked
one of the men, with a sinister look.

« That I know not," said Clinton; « but," he added
pointedly, " in my opinion, the informant would hardly

234

THE CANADIAN Gint.

have risUetl his life to give you warning of fliglit. But
this is not all — there was a brig rifled last night by you,
at a spot not far from here, so the Governor has received
tidings, and he has heard, also, that the captain of tho
men who rifled her, was to-day in disguise in Toronto.'*

" This is news indeed !" exclaimed the Pirate, again
starting. " Thanks, son ! In an hour I shall laugh at
all pursuit," he added ; " I have got stores enough here
to last under a long chase. I fear nothing, only let me
get my anchor on board again. I have held our foes at
bay before this. Have you any thing more of conse-
quence to say ?"

" No, I have told you all that I myself know of the
Governor's movements," replied Clinton; "and, in
doing so, I have compromised my honour to save you, for
before I knew that in the Pirate I had a father, I had
engaged with the Governor to join those who were to
endeavour to capture him.'^

" Well now, if you join us Instead of them, gallant
young sir," said a third privateer, who had also been
listening, " we shall be glad to shake hands with you,
and you shall have my voice toward making you one in
command under your father. He is a bold and a clever
buccaneer, no one can deny it, and carries his brains
full of learning of all sorts. We have all been proud jf
him as our Cap'n, until those two fellows you saw last
^''^8rnoon made a hubbub here with a parcel of lies — but
they have had a taste of hemp this evening, and are
lying together in a watery hammock under our gunnel,
just below the bottom of your canoe there ; but as I was
saying, young sir, blow me, you must have had your
father's spirit to venture back here now ; and as there b

4hR CANADIAN QIRL.

7^:t

But

iomething genteel in your cut, and you have got a hend
<^ill of scholarly brains like our Captain ; why you shall
have my voice, as I said before, toward the inakinsr you
his mate."

Clinton expressed a due sense of the proposed honour,
but declined it, although it was now pressed upon hiin In'
several others of the privateers, and objected to by none,
all being more or less desirous of conciliating their Cup-
tain, and of inducing him lo forget the bad treatment Ik;
had lately received from their hands.

" I refuse you," said Clinton, to the privateers, "lic-
cause I think I can do you better service by keeping my
engagement with the ^ioyernor. The vessel whicli is to
pursue you starts at ten to-morrow. I shall go with it ;
and if yon will decide ujwn some signals by which 1 may
make known to you our approadi to vour hiding places,
I may prevent you from being surprised."

" You know then that we do not intend to keep on
the open lake?" said the Pirate ; " I am positive that 1
did not tell you that."

f " Vou did not, but I surmised as much," said Clinton;
*' and I do not ask to be informed in what caverns or
rocks on the shores you intend to hide. You will most
likely be kept on the move, for depend upon it they are
keen and hardy men who will come after you ; but
this I ask, that wherever you hide you will light a small
.flame on some height that commands a view over the
water, and, when pur vessel is so near that I can see it, I
shall warn you by three pistol discharges."

**^ind you will take a catholic oath," said a privateer,
" not to tell the Governor's men that we are hiding where
^tJIghtbumsr

fw •>

;;•/. I,

22V,

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

*'• T will take oath," sairl Clinton, with a manner cal-
culated fo disarm all suspicion, " to say nothing that
may i'ndan;:;er the life of my father and of those who
are faithful to him. Believe me I am one of you—
ready to assist in \ cserving you, although not among
you."

The signal he proposed was decided upon, together
with others likely to suit the difTercnt exigencies that
were expecter^, and Clinton quickly made himself on
good terms with all in the vessel. Throwing into his
speeches and his deportment the fanciful gaiety which
sat so well upon them, he elevated in the air a glass of
brandy, which Merry, the black, had put into his hand,
and wished the stout ship a clear path on the waves, no
foes in her wake, and good feeling and good fellowship
within her iron-bound bosom. A shout arose amon^gr
the sailors — bottle after bottle of fine brandy disappeared
in their banc's to the same toast, with sundry hearty
additions, until the Captain interfered, just as the health
of himself and his son had been drunk, and forbade the
circulation of a drop more. He himself had not tasted
of the spirits, but looked on the sudden enthusiasm of
the crew with a calculating and vigilant eye.

He recalled with authority every man to his oflRce.

. The oanerino: black became instantly still as the gun on
wliich he sat down ; old Toby threw overboard the pipe

.^ which he had just lighted, and stood with fixed attention
ready to echo the Pirate's orders to any part of the
ship. The important work of unmooring and floating

' out was done, and swift went the Fearless over the dark

* flood •" .J'.' /Kih fpnn » T-,

Jusl before the vessel started off, Clinton had gone

THB CANikDUN OIBL.

227

office.

down tlio cabin companion-way to speak to hid Mister a
few hurried words before quitting the vessel He fountl
Deborah with her in a small inner cabin, that looked
very comfortable. The Irish girl was busy combing
and brushing Jane*s curls, and putting them in papers
for tlie night There being a good deal of noise about,
she was chatting in a very high key, and with all her
rich Hibernian brogue, while Jane rested her elbow on
her knee and her head in her hand, looking

" Lik)> pntiencR on a monument

lad gotte

Smiling at (trief."

Neither of the two heard Clinton open the door or
come in ; and, as Deborah's face as well as Jane's was
turned from the cabin entrance, they did not see him,
until he playfully touched his sister's neck, and thus
drew her attentiun to him. He had had an opportunity,
therefore, to hear that the Irish girl was discoursing
of past (lays, and past scenes, in which he had shared,
'i ne names of Mr. Lee, the Pastor, and poor Miss Lucy,
maile him slightly shudder, and he did not wonder when
he saw a tear quietly stealing down Jane's cheek.

*■*■ My brother!" exclaimed tha latter, rising and
nieetiiig his embrace, " have you ventured to come
back?"

**■ Oii\y for a few brief minuses, dear sister, to cheer
you, and say adieu again. There must be no fear in
your breast, mind, until I see you again. Every thing
is in as good train as possible. Our father will evade
every pUnnier, I have no doubt, without a shut being
tired, or ft lifft being endangered. 1 have quite satisfied
the crew of my friendly intentions, and now I am going
10 aid their plans of escape ip a very tfitclive manutr."

dss

TRB CAKAOIAN OIRL.

ill

" Do be careful of jour own safety, and of jroui re-
putation too, my dear brother !"

" I will — believe me I will — for your sake, Jane ! and
when the peril which now threatens our father is safely
got over, I feel persuaded that we shall be happy. \V^e
will then hide ourselves together in some quiet and
pleasant home on land, unless you should forsake us for
the society of Mr. Lee, you know, Jane."

She answered his lively smile by a pensive shake of
the head, and blushed.

" There is no Lucy for you now,'* said she.

He in his turn coloured, but y\s was the dye of shame
and compunction — ^hers, of innocence.

" Forgive me the allusion," said she, looking in his
face with concern, while observing the confusion visible
there.

" I do,** said Clinton; " but never — O never, if you
can avoid it — mention that name again in my hearing I
I assure you I deeply repent the part I played in that
affair."

" Let the remembrance of it be a check on you in
ftiture, dearest Nicholas !" said Jane, soilly and with
timidity.

« It shall— it shall !" said Clinton : " and you, I be-
seecli you, erase utterly from your mind the recollection
of that unworthy conversation I had with you — I mean
that which proved so fatal to her you named — and all
which you observed that was unpleasing in my behaviour
to you while we were in the valley— forget it alL** '**-'•'

'' It u all Ibi^tten," said Jane. ** But when shall
wc meet again — and where?" •" ^z- j*^ « v .* i »

*' I wish that I could answer you satis^tonly,** said

(I '

rHB CANADIAN OIRL.

229

that

shall

Clinton, *« but I am sorry to say that is not in my
power now. Do not let your heart sink !" he exclaimed
tenderly. " You trust in a ruling Providence, that
guides all events on this strange world — make it your
stay now — and believe that we shall meet again, and
with more peaceful prospects."

The ship now took her first movement forwards, which
was done with an elastic bound, as if with joy at release
fVom thraldom. She went as smoothly as possible, after
her first spring, and as fleet and stately as a wild deer
scouring some smooth prairie for its own delight.

Clinton stood still for an instant, then kissed his
sister aiTectionately, shook hands with Deborah, told her
to make herself and Jane as happy as she could, and
hastened up on deck. The canoe in which he had come
had been drawn up out of the water, it was now lowered.
Clinton grasped the hand of his father apart, and said —

" Some hard struggles may await you — but I hope
whatever happens your courage and skill will bear you
well through it"

" I have no fear," said the Pirate again. " I am
glad we are off, and since that is effected I aia confident
of escaping all who seek me, though they were ten
thousand in number, while the crew keep in their present
temper. You heard that Jonas and Michael have
suffered death 1 I was compelled to make an example of
them — they were rank villains !" yet, as the Pirate spoke
of the stern necessity, he groaned.

In another instant Clinton was in his solitary canoe.
" Remember the signals!" said he to the Pirate. The
latter nodded to his son, and then waved his cap until
the Fearless had left the boat so far behind that, under

;! :

230

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

the gloom oC night, it wm not to bo diitinguiahed. Clin-
k>n had to go back nearly two miles to get a landing,
Lut the lake was in so quiescent a state, that he would
have ftlt pcrfvctly secure had the distance been twenty
miles. He rather lingered on the water than otherwise,
enjoying the stillness that pervaded all the landscape
together with the solemn darkness of midnight that im-
parted to it a visionary character. He lived over again
the unlooked fur events of the past day, and speculated
upon the probable change in his destiny of which they
might be productive. Having landed, he drew the
slight canoe on the beach, and walked to the hut of the
civilised Indian to whom it belonged. He had received
from the latter the dollars which he had led with him as
a security for his return with the canoe, and was goinrr
leisurely toward Toronto, when a figure in military
attire rushed by him, bareheaded, and Clinton, astonished,
recognised Colonel Cleveland, whom he presently ob-
served stalking with frantic gestures, under tlie precipice

of the dirts. ' .

. . « ' . ■ .'

•s:- t\u.r- ri>^ 4 i,^:■^• .iH: ... \.:,', ,y,i^, ijiu. ^:r, ..,((; ,,(■, ^,.;^

li-t' i 'Juni i-'i i?i!r.

■ i 4' .. .1,.,:!' r;f: /

■• Nit- •»:.';•./?'■ J i^^ ,i =v ''!r'J ' : h ..-i '-. -vf ^,";/i»v .j. n
• inr; (( •> -,i. •jMtiV ii'..'! i..'w. ,wi. /'!i( fij ; .fiLuir -T'-tL-I

TMP. CANADIAX OinL.

231

I'll!

ciiArriiK XIV.

'ij

}-.t

*<Blr do I fpnr that to hope is Am\eA me,

Sair do 1 ienr tlul dfapiiir aitun abide ui«." — Bwrtu

OoLONBL Cleveland bad been spending tbe eveninj^
In the fort at tlie nioutb of tbe barhour, with a party of
officers, some of them belonging to the regiment whose
head-quarters are settled here, and the rest being military
gentlemen on half- pay, who bad been invited to dinner
from their elegant cottages at tbe borders of tbe town.
He left the table about eleven o'clock, having previ-
ously sent bis servant forward to tbe Governor's resi-
dence witb a number of letters and despatches, which
he bad undertaken to convey to the different forts on
the frontiers of Niagara, Erie, and Huron. He was so
much disordered by the large quantity of wine he had
taken as to feel more than usually irritable, but no un-
steadiness was communicated to his walk or to bis voice.
He had to traverse that long and narrow strip of land
which has been before described as enclosing the ex-
pansive basin of the harbour in a circular form. As be
wentalong he occasionally stopped, and his eye, lustreless
and bloodshot with long excess, looked vacantly on the
various objects in sight, resting more fixedly on tlie

53*^

TIIK CAHAniAV GIRT.

shipping inJ the piers, whilst he was striving to connect
together some angry thoughts that were flitting in dis-
order about his brain.

" Where could that fool Williams have heard that
Latly Cleveland wished to separate from mo ?" said he
at last, speaking alou-l and hiccupping. " Where the
devil could he have beard it ? Separate from me I No,

by , she shall never do that ! Never ! no, by ,

I will pistol myself if she leaves me ! I know she detests
me — but she shall stay with me ! — ^yes, by ! Per-
haps I am a horrid wretch — perhaps I am ^ but what-
ever I may be, stay with mt she shall P"*

He moved on with a quicker tread until the town was
just before him : all the scene was silent and dark. H«
stopiMjd again, and exclaimed —

" There is a hell within me ! I hate to go into Hes-
ter's presence! Her looks are arrows — and every wr^^{
she speaks to me is like a sharp sword that cuts nvy
heart to the core ! But she shall never — never —sepa-
rate from me ! She may abhor me as she will — slie may
as often as she likes reproach me with that scorn which

she knows stings ma so much — but by , she shall

never go from my i^ide!" * ' ' ''^n ;■

lie now went forwards into the spacious main street
of Toronto, more than once grasping the hilt of his
sword, and muttering to himself — '

'• What right had Williams to make use of her name
at all ? If I wa<5 going to stay another day in this place
I "ould make him publicly ask my pardon for his — -^
boldness. There »vas every one at table took up the
matter. * On my soul,' said Comet Blown, * I sba.i'
be sorry for you, Cleveland, if you lose that tme

THK CAXADIAX GIR-

L'S:)

iroman.* ' Ami so sliall I— and !,' said Dickens aud
Thompson. And I had completely to rnn tho fvaiintlet
tliere. I was made a butt for every one's wit and rail-

lorj' By , V/illiams should pay dearly for it if I

was f?oing to stay here !"

In this mood the Colonel entered the Governor's house.

" His Excellency, with the Earl, and the ladies, sir,
are in tho small drawing-rootn," said the servant who
admitted him. " You are roqu .sted to go to them."

"What! has not Lady CIsveland retired yet?" ex-
claimed the Colonel. ,.,.jf.,.f >m';}Ut'' 'ii'ff v:j:L.j:->iO':

*' No, sir," repli^'l the servant; '* Lady Cleveland us
with the Earl, and Governor, and my lady ; they have
been waiting up for yon, sir." . jc^y pin " ."/> ov

" Do you know whether my servants have taken all
oar luggage down to the packet, and whether they liav*
seen tne boxes packed away safely '?" ^,, <;

" All is done as you directed, I am quite certain,'* re-
plied the man.

" Very well ; tell my valet to wait for me in my
dressing room."

The Colonel entered tho small elegant room in w/iich
his friends sat, while they were in the miJst of an im-
portant consultation, which his appearance instantly
checked. '" • .|

" I have disturbed your conversation," said he, '
throwing himself down on a couch ; " pray, if it be not
of a very private nature, proceed with it."' ;t' M*'^*-*'i7*^ •'
J " It concerns you most particularly," said the stately;-
Earl, with a look of much unhappiness. ft f^'n>^'ni^ m7nn

" Ah, 1 suspected so, for I heard my name pronoiHiced
by you as I entered." fawjo ?riobo8 ieortt -nn ?!t p.HT

2 n

234

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

• " You did/' said llie Earl, with slow and painful
utterance. " I was just observing, that wlien I bestowed
on you the hand of Lady Hester, my eldes* daughter,
the hope and pride of my ancient family, I little thought
ever to have seen the hour in which I should be called
upon to demand your separation from her."

"Demand my separation from her!" repeated the
Colonel, starting up from the recumbent posture he had
taken. " What the do you mean ?"

The Earl heard the coarse expression used oy bis
son-in-law with a shrinking movement, and took i(\e
hand of his daughter into his own.

*' I beg," said he to the Colonel, in a very subdued
voice, " that you will allow this unpleasant, but
I now perceive most necessary change in our family ar-
rangements, to be concluded without discord, wuhout
heat, which you must be aware can be productive o7no
good whatever. 1 assure you. Colonel, my daughter is
determined henceforth to live apart fro n you — and I
am no less determined to carry her wishes into effect.

»»

"And bv

T am determined too," exclaimed

the Colonel, springing from the couch, and advancing
to the table, on which he struck his clenched hand,
*• Hester shall not leave me while there is breath in my

body! No, by ! She is my wife! and neviM- shall

she live under the protection of any man but her husband
while I exist — no— not even under her father's I" ••"
" Protection !" echoed the earl, with a loud and
craning sijfh. " Indeed, Colonel, my daughter has
i>evei known the protection of a husband. You have
grossly neglected her — ^you have not protected her!
This is my most serious complaint ; and I tell }oa

{

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

235

honestly, I cannot trust Lady Hester under such mere
nominal protection as you are likely to afford her, during
the lonir vovijc which it has been intended she should
presently take with you. 1 have received certain letters
by which I am informed that my presence is required
very speedily in England, and it is my determination to
take Lady Hester back with me to the peaceful home of
her ancestors ; there, I confidently hope, she will regain
that peace which her unhappy marriage has, during the
last two years, entirely banished from her bosom."

" My Lord — ray Lord — ^you are mistaken in me—
upra my soul you are!" cried the choleric Colonel.
*' I am not the tame fool you take me for! You will
not rob me of my wife so easily as you imagine !" He
suddenly raised his voice almost to a shout — " She is
mine! and by , I will have her !" A'nu'r

The Governor interfered to soothe the Colonel, who
was distantly related to him. Mrs. Markham endeavoured
to persuade Lady Hester to withdraw to her chamber^
but the Earl dptained her. ii'f ♦ w^

" A few minutes longer, madam, my dausrhter roust
renuiin," said he; " it is necessary for n»y purposes
that she distinctly state her wish regarding Colonel
Cleveland be/bre him, the Governor, and yourself, which
done, she may instantly retire, and make herself per-
foctlv easv as to the result of the affair."

" Her wish — yes — let Keste'* state her wish before
me," said the Colonel, his irritixtion for the moment be-
coniing mixed with softer feelings. " Lot her tell me
to my face, if she can have the heart to do it, that she is
determined to separate from me for ever."

Lady iJester was very pale as she slowly raised her

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

\ y

eyes, full of keen reproach, to the Colonel's Hico, an>\
at the same time arose from her chair. That glance was
aided by the proud and severe expression of her lip, and
the Colonel instantly felt that ho had nothing to hope
from her. • ^-i*"^'<^i(\ fw I'in' i>"?'(tiiij» hm. i .^io < '
*-'> " The Colonel has violated every vow he made to me
Vii the altar," said she, in low but distinct tones. " I
am quite convinced ho has not the smallest worthy re-
gard for mo, and, in consequence, 1 am deUrmmed u'^on
a separation."

When these decisive words had been spoken, the
Colonel stood like one turned io stone. The Governor
was alarmed by the madness of his stare, and endea-
voured to draw him back to the couch, but he shook off
his relative with fierceness, and, foaming at the mouth,
rushed after Lady Hester, who, accompanied by Mrs.
Markham, was going up stairs to her chamber. When
Lady Hester heard him coming she stood still, leaning
against the baluster ; and Mrs. Markham thought, and
aflerwards said, " That she never, in painting or in
poetry, had seen or imagined a figure so expressive as
VTester's was at that minute, of unwavering, stern resolu-
tion." It was almost terrible to behold her ; she was quite
calm ; her features were rigid, whitened with the inten-
sity of her feelings to an unnatural fairness. The
Colonel seized her arm. it in ^wm•f htii vi -r , , j

»• *' Hester," said he, and regardless of the probability
hat servants were near, he kneeled down on one of the
stairs at her feet. "•Hester! — wy ^cifa! — hoar me!
Will you give me up for over ? AViil yuu not try me a
little longer ? Will you not permit me one chance more
k your lost affections ? O, Hester ! call

TUB CANADIAN OIRL

237

back your former words ! Tell me — tell me — we shall
not separate ! Tell me you will not utterly throw m^
from you! Have mercy — have pity on me!"

" Colonel," said Lady Hester, " rise. There havv
been times when your entreaties would have moved me.
Now, ihei/ cannot, I am marble to all that you can say.
Your dissipation — your licentiousness — have been with-
out bounds. Ah ! shall I repeat to you what I learned
to-day, that your very paramours, Colonel, have made
my unspotted name a subject for their ridicule in your
hearing ? After that, will you venture to call me i/onr
toife! No, Colonel," said she, turning abruptly away,
" my mind is made up."

She was moving forward to a landing-place, when
the Colonel, with hoarse voice and raging look, rather
hissed than spoke these menacing words, shaking his
extended arm toward her, and becoming convulsed from
bead to foot — < ; ,

\\ 7ff»i( »/i''T>i i*^

Be it so — be it so — proud, unyielding woman ! But
mark me — by heaven and earth, the hour that separates
us, shall prove the hour ol death to you or 1 !"

" No more of this kind of lanuuaore, I do beseech
you. Colonel," said the Governor, at the foot of the
stairs.

" My dear madam," cried the Earl, waving his hand
impatiently to Mrs. Markham, " do urge Lady Hester
forward to her room. Hester, leave all to me ; rest
quietly to-night. Depend on it, my love, since I have
been induced at last to take theafiair in hand I willcon-
duct it to a proper conclusion. Good night — ^good
aight."

The Colonel rushed out of the house bareheaded, ami

233

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

. i

the Earl, after lying down a few hours on the couch,
sent for the two pi'incipai solicitors of the town, to wnom
he had previously spoken, and remained cLseted with tViem
for two hours. The Governor dispatched his servants out i
in every direction to search for the Colonel, but he was
not to be found, until, at eight o'clock in the morning,
he returned into the house as abruptly as he had left
it. His appearance and actions were those of a person
completely deranged ; he sent for his goods from the
steam packet in which he was to have sailed,, and laying
them out in tlie court-yard began to break and destroy
them without mercy. Mrs. Markham was quite melted
by the terrible distress of mind he was enduring, and
almost turned a pleader for him with Lady Hester.

** I expected this, dear madam," said LaJy Hester,
*' I expected that your kind nature would give way when
you saw him raging with disa|^pointment. I respect
your ff.elings— I know liow to value tlieni — Jut say not'
another word to move me from my rcsoJvo. / am im-
pcnetrable. Unjust treatment has stooled me. It would
be well if husbands would takr* warning from his ex.-MnpIc,
and beware how they trifle with the hearts they possess.
Gentle and tender as women are when treated well,
there i^^ a sleeping fury, Mri. Markham, in the gentlest,
which, if man rouse up, it is to his own ruin." Whether
this was the only moral to be drawn from the affair re-
mains to be seen.

Mrs* Markham could say no more, but contented her-
self with giving each person within her reach as much
comfort as she could. She sent for a surireon, fearinjr
the Colonel was quite out of his senses, and then riur-
ried down, followed by her own maid, to the yard where

THE CANADIAN CinU

239

i<ie latter was. He had in his hands a costly dressing-
oasc, ;r.:d »7orkbox bolonginij^ to Lady Hester, which he
xras dashing together with such violence that the
l/caiiti fully furnished interiors, consisting of silver and
gold- mounted glass, and tortoise-shell utensils, fell in
shattered fragments to the ground.

" My dear Colonel, what are you doing!" exclaimed
Mrs. Markhani, with tears in her eyes, employing the
most sootliinjj kindness of manner. " Give me those
boxes, my dear sir, and let me speak a quiet word or two
with you." t " J!f!vi)hitr >'!/••

He turned upon her a furious stare, and tlio maid who
was with Mrs. Markham, ran back aftVighted. Not so
did Mrs. Markham ; full of the " milk of human kind-
ness," the sight of misery like his, armed her with
courage. ^.i j ,:,[./, .;,,.,■; -.,;:..;-•..: ' iii y) biJ'-

" I have made chocolate for you, Colonel," said she
" in your own room ; if you will go there you shall be
quite alone as lojig as you choose." , ^ -.; ,,-yt,j

" What do you want with me !" he exclaimed, still
eyeing her with the ferocity of a wild beast." \, t,^ „ :,,.>»

" To comfort yon," she replied.

'• Comfort ! what the right have you to comfort

me ? Woman ! you had better stand out of my way
A thousand fiends have got possession of me, and if they
tempt me, I might do something terrible!"

" My dear sir, 1 know you will not harm me. I know
that you must see a friend in me. You do, I am sure.
You are satisfied that I greatly feci for you. I want,
dear sir, to draw you into the house, out of sight of the
servants, who you perceive are all looking at you fright-
ened and astonished. Give me those boxes, and let me

■•i

210

TUP. CANADIAN Oint.

U'iul you to the privacy jf jour chamber. Come, you
will i)e better there.'*

rie allowed her to f.iko the shells of the boxes from
his grasp, and to ])laco them on the ground ; a loud
groan burst from his dies I ; he lookc ro'ind to see who
was observing him, and then turned auain to exarnino
the countenanci't (n the matronly lady who had inter-
fered with him. The sincere goodwill and pity tliat
beamed there, insensibly softened the wildness of his
gaze. He recognized her —

•* Mrs. Markham," lie muttered, •* I am a lost
wretch 1"

She trusted more to her K;anner than to her words lor
obtaining a power over him ; smiling kindly on him, she
took his hand, and so led him by degrees to the house,
and to the dressing-room which he had occupied. There
she persuaded him to allow the medical gentleman she
had called in to examine the state of his pulse, and
even to take a little blood from his arm ; after which he
silently drank a half-ci»]) of chocolate, and tiiCn lay
down on ihe bed, faint and exhausted with the agitation
of the night. ■'>-,■■ -

I' ' •'

)'. , ji

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241

CHAPTER XV.

" O mischief! thou art twift
To enter in the thoughts of dsspertte men I — Shatciptart.

The Colonel did not long remain in a state of quiet.
Siringing up from the bed, he sent a servant to inform
Lady Hester that he wished to see ^her. The servant
returned with a reply that she was too much indisposed
to leave her room.

'■ " Then I will go to her," said the Colonel, drawing
on his boots with haste. He went to her chamber door,
it was fastened ; he knocked ; Lady Hester's maid came
out, and immediately the lock was secured behind her.

" I must see your lady," said the Colonel, with the
most determined air. The maid replied that Lady
Cleveland was tou unwell to be spoken with.

" I mil see her !" said the Colonel. " No excuses
will put me off!"

" My lady positively Refuses to see any one," said
the attendant. ;

" Go in and tell her that I am here," said the Colonel,
*' and that I swear I will see her ! — and see her alone,
too— mind t!\at !"

. Tlie girl assured him that she durst not go in with

2 I

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Tai OAMADIAN OIBU

such a message, for her lady was quite ill, and both the
doctor, the Earl, and Lady Cleveland herself, had given
the most unequivocal orders t!iat she should not be dis«
turbed. In vain the Colonel (ommanded, and remon-
strated, the girl was firm. He then mused in silence an
instant, his eyes rolling in their sockets, and his fore-
head knit into a hard frown.

" I will send her a note," — said he, decisively — " yes,
that is what I will do;** and he returned to his dressing-
room, and chilled impatiently for paper, pen, and ink.
Ilis valet hurriedly brought the first he could meet with
'n the house, but trembled and turned pale when his
master, stamping furiously on the floor, threw both pens
and ink at him, swearing they were not fit for satan to
us^e. Others were instantly procured, and the Colonel
wrote the following letter, in uneven, distorted charac"
tens, that plainly denoted the state of his mind : —

'* Lady Cleveland. — You have refused to see roe. I
understand very well why you have done so. Your
illness is only a pretence — a pretence I say — to promote
the schemes of your father, and work my ruin ! Madam,
let me tell you one truth before I humble myself ta
you again and for the last time ; it is this — if I have
wronged you, you have also wronged me ! — You married
me without loving me! Your lather was the cause I
know ; but whatever was the cause, you stood up at the
altar of God and vowed to love, and honour, and obey
me — while you knew that you never could do either. I ask
you, if I was not injured then ? If you had really loved
me, you would have sought by tender attentions, and by
those gentle and winning looks and words of kindness,
in which I have seen some women excel, to lure me from

II i

THK CANADIAN OIKL.

243

ni} bad habits and connexions. If you had conscien-
tiously honoured me, you would have refrained from
those bitter and scornful expressions which have often
driven me back to wickedness, when I was inclined to
repent and amend. But now I once more ask if you
will recal your determination of last night ? I shall suo
no more for your forgiveness if this attempt fails. I
make no promises of reformation, and my reason is this
—I have often made them to myself, and altvays broken
them. But if you will throw yourself on my heart once
more, apart from all other in/luencesy and trust to me,
you mai/ save me — I believe it is almost certain that
you will — and I shall bless you, Hester, and you may
yet be happy with me."

In an hour Lady Hester*s femme de chamhre brought
to the Colonel a reply, which he eagerly seized from her
hand.

" Colonel Cleveland. — I am exceedingly sorry that
you should not havo co'i' '.^cred my word decisive, and
that I should be put lo the very painful necessity of
again declaring to you that it i$ so."

When the Colonel had read thus far he threw down
the letter and started across th6 room. He had indulged
a little hope since his last appeal to her, and now it was
at once dashed from him, he felt over again all the hor-
rors he had lately suffered. He grew almost black in
the face, and his breath became loud and gasping.
Presently throwing aside his cravat, he took the letter
up and read on : —

" This distressing duty to myself and my relations
done — and oh, that I could tell how to soften to you oui^
melancholy and final parting ! — 1 turn with the utmoBfl

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244

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

regret to other particulars of your note, that especially
demand my attention.

" It may be too true, Colonel, that when we pledged
to each other our hands at the altar, I had not a heart
to give you. My tather committed a common, but 8e>
rious error — ^he made my marriage one of family accom-
modation, rather than of love. Yet you are incorrect
in saying I knew that I could not keep my tow at the
time I made it. I did intend — solemnly purpose — to
fulfil to you all the duty and aflfection of a wife ; and I
know so much of my own heart that I am confident I
should have done it, had you been true.

" Again, with respect to the Earl, my father, duty to
him requires me to give you my warmest assurance that
he has striven to turn my thoughts from the painful
event which we now anticipate — that he has exhausted
every argument to induce mo to remain with you — and
that it was not until last evening that he gave my wishes
on the subject any encouragement'*

" Lies ! — lies !" burst forth the Colonel, not knowing
what he said, and crumpling up the letter in his hand.
*' V\\ not believe her ! 'Tis the Earl, and no one else,
who has hardened her heart ! — My curses on him !"

He again opened the scented sheet of satin-post, and
turned to the conclusion of the letter, which was written
in a beautiful hand, of fashionable hair strokes, sharp-
angled, regular, and delicate.

" I forgive you all the sorrow you have occasioned
me ; I am perfectly at peace with you as far as my own
feelings are concerned; and I entreat you. Colonel,
pardon in me every thing which has given you dissatis-
faction, and let us part with mutual kindness.*'^'

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

2A5

Again the Colonel gathered up the letter in his hand,
and stared haggardly about him to see if he was unob-
served ; assured that he was, he opened the lock of a
carpet bag and took out a pair of pistolti, the priming of
which he deliberately examined, then laid them on the
table.

*' Now will I strike a blow on that proud woman's
heart," said he, ** which shall last her all her life! I
will live one half hour from this time, but not another
minute, so help me God !'*

This frantic resolution he proceeded to confirm by a
more formal oath, and actually searched in a book-case
fur an old Bible that he bad observed, which he found.
He laid his hand on it, and kissed the leaves where they
opened, at the same time repeating to himself certain
awful words.

" There — it is settled V* said he, laying the sacred
volume on one side, and sitting down again to write to
Lady Hester. His distraction seemed to be past, and a
singular stillness came over him. He placed his gold
repeater before him c n the dressing-table, the minute-
hand was at the figure six, the hour>hand between two
and three.

*' The first stroke of three," said the Colonel, *' shall
free i.m^ from this cursed life, and shall plant a scorpion
in Hester's flinty heart !" He wrote a few sentences —

" Hester. — I have asked you for pity and forgiveness
twice. I ask no mora My death be on you I My blood
shall cry out against you when I am in the earth!
Hard-hearted woman ! I refuse your forgiveness, and
I refuse to forgive ! I have no peace in heart toward
ou, and you are guilty of hypocrisy when you tell me

246

¥Hfi CARAmAVI GIRL.

; I

tfi.it vo!» We toward me ! If you had one thought or
f.elinfT of kindness for me, you would )iot have made a
>uicide of me ! The watch you gave me on our mar-
riaoe-dav is before me. I listen as I write to its soft
tickings — every single tick tells of a moment gone.
Tliere are not many moments to be sounded before the
hour of three strikes ! — and then Hester — ^and then — ^we
shall have parted indeed! My pistols are already in
iny hands — ^five minutes only remain to me. I shall now
c1os:« this note and send to you. I am an atheist as you
know, and as such I boldly dare all that eternity has in
store for me I You — ^you only, and your father — ^have
caused the act which I am now on the point of com •
mrtting! and so' Sarewell !— farewell for ever! Four
Minutes only remain for me i"

He opened his door and sent up the note to Lady
tester. The housemaid to whom he gave it observed
(he singularity of his aspect, his ftony paleness, and the
vacant horror of his eye; she ran up stairs to Lady
Hester's room without a moment's delay, and knocked
budly at the door. The waiting woman appeared.

** Tell Lady Cleveland," said the housemaid, breath-
lessly, " that I am convinced the Colonel is intending
something dreadful ! Oh, do beg of her to come down
to him ! He stared at me in the most dismal manner !
— I ani frighted to death !"

" What is that ?" cried Lady Hester i^ithin the
chamlier. ** Come in, Nancy."

• The servant went in ; the lady was still in morning
dishabille ; she had been lying down on the outside ol
the bed, but had started up when she heard a second
knocking, supposing the Colonel was again at the door

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

«4T

*^ What is the matter, Nancy ?" she exclaimed, her
lips blanched with fear ; at the moment she spoke, she
perceived the note in the Miousemaid*s hand, and hastily
taking it and unsealing it, while the woman described
the ColonePs gestures and countenance, oast her eye
ov^r the contents. She uttered an exclamation of terrific
dread ; the Colonel's note dropped to the floor ; she
looked stupified, bewildered ; tben wildly cried to the
two women who stood by—

"Go down! — alarm the house!— The Colonel in'
tends to destroy himself ! Fly! — fly!— or you wUl be
too late to prevent the dreadful deed !"

" Who shall I send to the Colonel, my lady V hur-
riedly asked the waiting>woman j *^ tl^e Earl»-*4ihe
Qoverno'-?" ..?.... . ;,.

** Both — ^both — whoever you meet with first!*' replied
Lady Hester, vehemently. She then herself rushed dovrn
stsurs to the ColoneP» room.

** Cleveland ! — Cleveland !— 'admit me 1" she loudly
exclaimed, rapping at the door. At that very nioment
the report of pistols within smote upon her brain. She
shrieked, and running back fell into the arms of her
father, who, with the Governor, his lady, and his ser-
vants, was hurrying to the spot

*' My child ! — ^Lady H<)ster !" reiterated the earl. At
first she beard him not, but presently started up from
his breast, just as the door was burst open by the Colonel's
valet and othenk A pool of Mood lay around a chair
and was pouring its red streams toward the entrance of
the r^m ; still sitting upright, witib the watch, and pen
and ink before him, appeared the euiciDB 1 his stiflening
hands yet grasping the pistols with which he had shot

248

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

himselt in tho head, and his features frightfully distortea
and convulsed.

" My husband !" cried Lady Hester, breaking from
her father^s grasp, and from others who would have held
her back. She was the first who reached him ; her
hands took the deadly instruments from his and cast
them across the ensanguined floor ; she then threw her-
self on his knees, and, embracing him, held up his falling
body. " My dear Colonel !" she exclaimed. " My
husband ! — ^my dearest husband !" He rivetted ou her
his dying eyes — he tried to speak, but finding himself
at first unable, his eyes remained gazing on her features
with an intense expression of revengeful exultation,
until the heavy lids fell suddenly over them and relieved
her from their dreadful look. He was instantly attended
by a skilful surgeon, who discovered, that whether from
unsteadiness of the Colonel's hands, or from any other
cause, both the pistol balls had missed his brain and
had lodged themselves quite at the back of his head, in
consequence he lived for more than an hour after the
act, and retained his senses nearly the whole of that
time. He was laid on a bed, his shoulders raised on
high pillows; his face was to yards Lady Hester who
kneeled by him ; his hand was clasped in hers.

In the distraction of her mind she forgot the train of
reasoning with which she had steeled herself against his
supplications. She at once accused herself of the catas-
trophe, and implored the Colonel to pardon her with
agonising tears. He for some time seemed not to hear
her, but suddenly opening his eyes, whose sight was
fast fading, he drew her hand nearer towards him ; she
saw that he wished to speak to her, and bent her ear to

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THE CANADIAN GIRL

rtea

2AQ

his lips. Her feelings may not be described, when he
uttered in an emphatic whisper her own words of the
previous night — ^*^ I am impenetrable P^

After this he grew anxious to live, and sent for
another surgeon, and also, to every one's surprise, for
a clergyman. The reverend person not coming directly,
he requested that a dissenting minister, whom he had
regularly ridiculed at the mess-table of the fort, might
be senv for. That gentleman was fortunately at home,
and came with speed ; he spoke to the dying man with
gentleness, ^ut plainly and earnestly. The Colonel
frequently pointed to a table by the window, and on
being asked the reason, said—" The Bible there — bring
it." I'he volume was brought, and the minister, sup-
posing that he wished to hear some portion of the sacred
word, had opened it; but he diioctly made impatient
signs that it should be closed. He then beckoned to
the Governor to come near, and bade him take the book
from the minister, which he did.

'* Major-general Markham,'' said the Colonel, *' giv«
that Bible to our fellow-officers at the fort. Tell them
I swore on it, and by it, and by the God who it is said
dictated it, to shoot myself at three o'clock this afternoon.
'Twas the oath of a soldier, and I have kept it. But
tell them I would now give all the treasures of ten
thousand worlds to live! Tell them it is horrible to
die ! Warn them against self-murder. It is better to
be a living worm than a dying man." He stopped, and
every listener's face was pale, every heart chilled. He
began again. — " Give them my word, too, that they are
fools who mock at God, and scoff at a hereafter. There
U a life to come, Markham — I am certain of it now ;

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250

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

i !

i 1

but what it is, or where it is, I know not. They and
you have timfl to search out the matter — I have not.
must jump the gulf— the black abyss — and take a..
consequences."

It was impossible not to be fearfully impressed by the
mixture of passions in his speeches, and still more in
his looks — remorse, despair, fear, desperation, penitence,
and defiance, raged by turns. Lady Hester was
scarcely aVle to endure the scene; and Mrs. Markham,
who now supported her as sho knelt by her side, was
also shocked beyond expression.

" But though it be the twelfth hour," pleaded the
minister, addressing the Colonel, " you may find re-
pentance, and salvation, and an immortal crown, yet ;
only believe in Him who disappoints none who trust in
Him ;" and in words sweetly persuasive, he sought to
draw the sufferer from his impious despair ; — but !t ^\as
\u vain.

" Sir," cried the suicide, " I now stand between two
worlds ; the one I am leaving is all I have any know-
ledge of, is all I have any affection for. The one I am
going to, is one vast accumulation of horrible gloom.

* Where the treasure is,' — I know that text, sir —

* there the heart will be.' Now all ray treasure is on
this side the grave — I have nothing at all on the other.
Doctor !" he all at once exclaimed, turning to the me-
dical gentleman who stood on the side of the bed oppo-
site to the minister — " doctor 1 are you sure I cannot
outlive this affair ? — are you positive ? Now if you can
give me even a straw of hope to catch at, do ! for by
r ' ■ it is horrible to sink like this !"

*• You must not allow me to deceive you," said the

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THB CANADIAN GIRL.

251

dcctcr with grave firmness ; " it is impossible that you
can recover unless the Almighty were to work a miraclo
in your favour."

" The Almighty ! — the Almighty !" reiterated the
Colonel most furiously, " what have I to do with the
Almighty, I should like to know 1 I have denied Hi»
very existence, sir ! I havr made a jest of His laws — of
His name— of His book — and of all who have professed
to serve Him I And what makes a sensible man talk of
miracles ? Miracles ! — trash ! Hark you, doctor !" he
added, " if there is a God, and if he ever performed one
ifaracle, I shall go into perdition ! — 'tis true, by !"

Mrs. Markham and Lady Hester were here taken
fiom the room, both totally overcome by that which they
had heard and witnessed. As they went out, • the
Colonel exclaimed — •

" There ! — I have seen the last of those two ! Mark-
ham," said he, catching hold of the Governors arm, but
fixing his eyes on the Earl, " I have plagued my wife
already for her obstiaacy — she will suffer for it when I
am gone; — that is a sipreme satisfaction for me now !"
A strange smile played on his lips, which, when the
Governor observed, he shrank back, and whispered to
the Earl—

" I have seen many death-beds, but rever one so
shocking as this." The Earl shuddered, and uplifted
his hands in silence.

" Let us pray that the grace of God may even yet
shine upon him," said the minister. All knelt down
around the death-bed, while he supplica«.ed heaven with
unaffected eloquence and solemn fervour; every eye was
moistened with tears, every heart was thrilled with awe.

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THK CANADIAN OIRU

The prayer over, the minister again exhorted the Colonel
to confess his sins to God, and to trust to the divine
word for acceptance with Him; but he was violently
repulsed.

" Tell me not of such things !" cried the Colonel.
" Away with your canting folly ! I hate the sound of
it ! All is over for me ! I have no hope — none ! and
none will I now seek ! — there is not time P^ he added.
Immediately he grew delirious, and the shocking language
he had learnt in the ill company he had frequented, was
so vented forth that more than once the minister pressed
his hands on his ears, unable to bear it without con-
siderable pain.

In this way the Colonel died, his last moments being
more horrible than any that had preceded them. His
remains were then laid out, and the room cleansed of
the blood with which it was stained. Night had scarcely
darkened the apartment before the so-lately gallant
Colonel, the man of fashion and of pleasure, lay stretched
out cold as mountain ice, silent, nlone, unmoved by good
or ill ; while his spirit had winged its way to that in-
visible tribunal before which every hunian soul must
appear. .

THE CUSNADIAN GIRL.

253

CHAPTER XVI.

" Oh 1 breathe not his name, let it sleep in the shade,
Where cold and unhoncured his relics arc laid ;
Sad, silent and dark, be the tears that we shed.
As the night-dew that falls on the grass o'er his head 1" — Moore.

Lady Hester, during the night, was closely attended
by the amiable wife of the Governor, nv ho suggested every
argunnent she could think of that was likely to calm her
young friend's mind. The Earl, too, every hour came
himself to her room to inquire how his daughter did.
Receiving unfavourable accounts, he became agitated
and restless, which Lady Hester learning, she sent for
him, and Mrs. Markham withdrew, leaving them to-
gether.

" My dear daughter, you look ill," said the Earl,
embracing her. Taey sat down si/jhing. Lady Hester
put into his hands the Coloners letters, with her reply,
which had been taken from the pocket of the deceased.
The Earl read them through in silence, and ept.

" My dear — " he began, and stopped ; then resumed,
clearing his voice, " Hester, my love, you blamed mo
justly here — you also defended me justly. I am now
convinced that I erred extremely in <;iving your hand

254

ttir. €iVHM}\AS OIRL.

to this misguided, ii?v;b:iuiK.le man. Yes, my daughter,
I am forced to confess mysoU iii-J destroyer of the hap-
piness of your life. Blame me only — to you no blame can
attach itself. I hope I have no necessity fur entreating
you to turn an indifferent ear to what the unhappy man
wrote in these letters concerning your behaviour to him
since marriage. His upbraidings were merely the effect
of rage and disappointment. He had no genuine cause
of complaint, none whatever. Your conduct has been
perfectly correct, my love, I have all along regarded it
with the earnest eye of a parent, and I can certainly say
there has not been the least flaw in it."

Lady Hester heard him with great deference, such
as she had been taught always to pay to the Earl, but
in her consciencft tho roflecdon arose that her conduct
to the Colonel had bten merely correct — that something
more than a cold correctness is the duty of a wife, and
that the Colonel's upbraidings had not been entirely un-
deserved. Hence the painful sigh she breathed as a
reply to the Earl — and hence the convulsive pang which
was for a moment risible on her beautiful face.

" You are suffering much," said the Earl, regarding
her with anxiety. " I fear you are troubling yourself
'with the thought that it would have been better had
you yielded to the Colonel's wish, and submitted to live
on as before."

" No," said Lady Hester, " I do not think it would
have been better. I believe poor Charles deceived
himself very much in thinking so. I do not regret my
resolution, now I reflect upon it calmly. It was neces-
sary, things between Cleveland and I had come to such
a pass. If I regret any thing it was that I made no

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TIIR CANADIAN OIRL.

255

cITorts to win his heart from evil to good, before affairs
were at the worst with us ; I regret nothing else in mv
awn conduct."

The Earl was pleased to hear her say thij, and his
mind was considerably relieved. Coffee was brought
in, and Mrs. Markham and the Governor were invited
into the bourdoir to join the early repast. With heif
accustomed strength of mind, Lady Hester exerted her-
self to appear collected and composed, and only by the
unusual paleness of her countenance could be known
the pain she was enduring. The arrangements for the
funeral, and for elegant mourning, were discussed and
decided upon, and the Eavl was gratified by hearing
Lady Hester express with composure her wishes on
these points.

On the seventh day from that of the Colonel's death,
he was interred in the burying-ground of the principal
protestant church of Toronto. The archdeacon at first
refused to admit the body, on the plea that the Colonel
having committed self-destruction had no claim (a
Christian burial in holy ground. The Governor used all
his interest to overcome the difficulty, and succeeding,
many poor persons took offence at the transaction, not
hesitating to assert that the rich had undue influence,
and that the archdeacon was partial.

The funeral was one of pomp, suitable to the rank
and wealth of the deceased and his relatives. The body
was enclosed in two coffins, the inner one of lead, the
outer of handsome wood, and elaborately ornar^nted.
The hearse was adorned with the Colonel's family es-
cutcheon and armorial bearings, and a train of mourning
carriages, in which were the Earl, the Governor, and

250

THB CANADIAN OIRL

thnir male friends in Canada, imoslly' officers, follo'vred.
Military honours were paid to the deceased over the
grave. At seven o'clock in the evening a large funeral
party assembled to dinner in the Governor's house. Lady
H'>stp'. did not appear, but Mrs. Markham presided at
the table, the Earl and his youngest daughter sitting on
her right.

The Colonel's first night in the grave was perhaps th©
mor' '''Stressing to Lady Hester of any that she had yet
endured. Unable to sleep, her imagination was wholly
possessed with the astonishing chan ^d that had taken
place. Where was he, whose erring conduct had filled
her heart to overflowing with the very gall of bitterness,
with scorn, contempt, and indignation 1 Ho was lying
in the grave ! Mysterious truth ! Her thoughts pene-
trated the dark earth in which he was lying. She seemed
to feel its pressure upon the co£Bn, and to place hersell
beneath the lid in her husband's stead; the stillness,
the cold, the deep rayless darkness, the airless narrow-
ness of the cofiGin, she felt it all with horror ! Then her
mind strove to break from these dismal reflections,
and to view the departe<l Colonel's present condition
by the cheering light of religion ; but alas ! the more she
meditated, the more she found that religion shed no
light on it at all, but rather a darkness, if possible deeper
and more awful than that material one from which she
shrank.

It was not to be expected that she should feel any
very profound sorrow for the Colonel's death ; the re-
vengeful spirit which had principally prompted him to
the act, and which he had so painfully manifested against
her, even to his last moment, made her dwell with much

TIIR CANADIAN OIRU

li'ss tondcrnow upon h?^ memory than sho woiilJ othcr-
viso havf) <l(>nc. He had made a grand mistake, too, in
j.ipjMjsing that sho would altmya look upon herself as
tho cause of his death and be wretched in consequence;
at first sh? did so, but her strong mind quickly released
her from tlie distressing idea; she firmly examined the
subject in ail its hearings, and blamed herself only where
blame was strictly her due.

Lady Hester in some respects was, as may have been
already seen, a woman of no ordinary character ; she
was highly gifted, possessing a powerful mind, with its
usual concomitants — strong passions. That trembling,
enervating delicacy, which in some women is called a
grace, in others a weakness, just as their situations in
life may dispense or not with activity and fortitude, was
not possessed by Lady Hester. She ha4 an exccljcnt con-
stitution, had known little bodily pain, and no privations.
Tliese advantages partially account for the firm temper
of her mind, as it is too true that corporeal weakness
has a direct tendency to induce mental weakness of suiiiu
sort or other. In society, Lady Hester Cleveland hud
been a pro-eminently brilliant woman ; her words, looks,
manners, her letters, even tlie amaJlest billet, her dress
at all titiies, her sarcasms, her raillery, uor music, her
painting — all were brilliant: she was brilliant in every
thing, and without the smallest appearance of pretension,
wi.tho^t the least taint of affectation. By women of a
softer, fe^b|er mould, she l^ad bpen feared lor the poig-
nancy of her wit and satire, her facility in which -.vus
cqrtuinly a snare to her ; by those of qiiiet tempcranieiil
and fiickly nerves, she had been envied and disliked ffu*
\\\y} dazzling intelleetual animation, nhicb suxcaJ a sii

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THR CANADIAN GIRL.

ofmajivical fascination around lior circle whor« ever ih*
moved; but ail tlie time Tjii<ly Ilostor scarcely knew
that slm was witty or satirical, animated or fascinating ;
slie woU knenr, liotvevcr, that among her female circle
of acquaintances she was not lovc<l ; her discerning eye,
k(!un to discriminate between the false and the true,
saw, with eagle f^lances, into the souls of the crowd of
ilatterers who ever gathered about her as the reigning
star of fashion. But little was her heart sati-sficd with
empty adulation ; large in its cravings, it thirsted for
love, disinterested, fervid, such as her warm feelings
told her she could well return ; unfortunately there was
only one, of all who had sought and sued, in whom she
perceived, or fancied she perceived, a realisation of her
vieal picture ; and to that one (Clinton !) she could
not even dream of being united.

The lovely widow remained in the house of Mrs.
Markham for two months aiVer the Colonel*! demise.
The last two years had seen her lose much of her bril-
liancy ; mdrtiiied feelings, arising from the ColonePs
neglect and infidelity, had damped her wit, blunted the
silver arrows of her satire, dulled the sparkling light
which a glowing intellect had kindled in her eye, and
sobered the captivating energy of her mar'n^rs. The
Coloners awful death completely confirmed \\his altera-
tion. A new world had opened before her, eternity, seen
through the shadowy and tremendous gates of death.
With her characteristic strength she surveyed the vast,
the sublime region, with dauntless and scrutinising eye.
She did not fly from the dread scene to society, but
shunned society that she might contemplate it. The
tonger she dwelt upon it, the more she loved the mighty

THB CNAADUN OIBL.

250

images which it called around her, until this present
mortal life— so brief, so |)etty, yet so painful — lost all its
charms in her heart, and she dedicated all the choicest of
her thou'jhts and feelings to a preparation for that grand
futurity on which her imagination was now solely fixed.
She was familiar with different ennobling systems of
philosophy, but found no one of them noble enough, or
solid enough, to suit her while death and eternity were
the themes of her meditations. The Christian writers
only suited her — they only completely triumphed over
the gloom that obscured the borders of the everlasting
world — they only gave it a tangible and positive shape —
they only filled it with ecstasy and holiness, with joy and
itu'iTahIc purity, with crystal rivers of life, and pleasant
trees for the| healing of all nations — they only set the
glorious throne of a perfect Deity in the midst of it, and
made it to have no need oftlie sun and the moon, but to
bo liglited only by His unclouded presence — a prcscnce

, which is love everlasting.

The Earl o'* Wilton hoped once more to see his
daughter the aa nircd of fashion's chief circles in Eni;-
land, and already his thoughts gluncrd around tliu
peerage in search uC a second distinguished indi\idual
on whom to bestow her hand. Eager to take her back
to England, and to London, ho lost no time in proposing
their voyage, but Lady Hester declared her intention to
remain in America un»'l tlie following spring.

, "I shall mix no more with the world of fishiou," saiil
she ; " I have entirely done with it."

"Lady Hester! my dear!" cvclaimed tha surjirlsed
Earl, " surely I do not understand you ! At your ago '.
with your wealth ! and beauty ! and talents ! and uit !''

t:''i

2B0

TiiE CANADIAN OIRL.

t&'

! I

¥*

" IViih all these advantages," said Lady Hester,
smiling, " 1 positively intend — not to shut myself up in
a convent, and therefore do not look so very much
aiarined, jny dear sir — but to travel in America privately,
and to seek for enjoyment only in the study of her- sub-
limities, in meditation with my o.vn heart, and in tranquil
intercourse with my two or three travelling companions,
one of whom I am sure will be — the Earl of Wilton, my
accommodating papa."

" No such thing, Hester !" cried the Earl. " What
cnjoymenf ihould I have, do you think, going about a
great wilderness ? and America after all is little better ;
I see nothing to admire in American scenery more than
in English scenery, not I — one place is as good as
a lother for me ; besides, there have been some important
changes lately in the English caoinet, and I wish very

much to go to London ; Lord R writes to say that

he desires to consult with me on certain diplomatic
movements in which I am particularly interested; and
there is my steward in Huntingdonshire, too, wishes to
see me, and--"

" Oh, you will easily get over all these obstacles,"
said Lady Hester; '' you positively must stay w'th me
at least six months longer, papa, and by the end of that
period — "

*' You will be ready to accompany me back to Eng-
land," said the Earl.

Lady Hester smiled, and neither assented to or denied
this conclusion of her sentence.

** Well, the next six months will incliide the winter
season," said the Earl, taking that into consideration.
" How do you propose to plan your tour, and whai places

THR CANADIAN GIRL.

will ydu first visit ? If I remain it will solely be t«
pleasure you, and therefore I shall consider myself en
titled to a leading voice on the question. I propose that
you spend a month at Kingston, a month at Montreal,
a month at Quebec ; and then suppose you give a month
to Niagara, and pass the other two months on the great
lakes."

This arrangement, with some minor alterations, was
immediately adopted by Lady Hester. It was about the
middle of November when she took leave of Mrs. Mark-
ham and the Governor, and, with her young sister, the
governess, and the Earl, left the infant capital of Upper
Canada in a small vessel that had been commodiously
and elegantly fitted up for their use. Lady Hester never
remembered to have seen more delightful weather, and
she could not avoid comparing the month of November
here with the foggy November of England. The beauties
of tho summer season, which had declined in October
under heavy rains, were now all revived ; the shores
were lively and luxuriant, the sky cloudless, the sun pe-
culiarly bright, but mild in \iohii of heat, and the air of
a delicious temporature. So charming always is the
revival of nature here in this month, and so remarkable,
Ihat it has obtained the name of the Indian Summer.

The voyagers were passing out of the entrance channel
of the harbour, which had two and a half fathoms of
smooth water, when they fixed their parting looks on
Toronto. The Earl pointed out to Letitia the -^jarlia-
ment-house and oflSces, a fine pile of buildings which
fronted the lake, and amused himself with askino; and
anewcring her questions concerning the history and pros-
pects of the town, expressing himself pleased with the

202

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

if!

1 1

d I

! r

observations she had made there, and charging her to be
equally attentive in the places to which they were goiiig.
lie tlien sat blown under the awning spread on deck,
and engaged iiiniself with the politics of a high tory
iiewsj)ii|)er of London, an occasional glance at llio scenery
around quite satisfying him, until he forgot it altogether,

completely a*bsorbed in a speech of his friend Lord 11

on the Irish Church question.

Lady Hester could not take a final look of the receding
town without dwelling upon the thought th.it she had
left the lifeless body of her husband there. She con-
trasted her arrival with her departure, and scarcely could
her mind realise the change that had occurred. When
she looked toward her father »>!)e almost expected to seo
the Colonel in health and spirits by his side. Many,
and self-accusing, were the rejections which crowded on
her, and she drew her black crape veil over her face to
conceal her <?motions from notice. , „.p ,, . ^,f^ Yo

The harbour was now far behind, and the vast surfaco
of the lake, plated in difibrent parts as with gold, spread
itself out around the neat pleasure •vessel, without a
barrior to the view. No waters in the world can exc'ol,
or hardly equal, those of the Canadian lakes for trans-
parency and beauty of colour; and when seen as now,
studded over with steam- vessels, timber-rafts, and
canoes, beneath a pure blue sky, they form a lovely and
animated sj)ectac!e on which the eye of taste might long
gaze with unwearied tleliglit. The travellers jjrocecding,
the lake deepened to within fifty and a hundred fathoms,
and tiie refractions on the surface appeared uncommonly
fine. Letitia cried out in an ecstasy of admiration, per-
ceiving small verdant islands and trees inverted over tho

I t

TlfU CANADIAN GIRL.

20J

>r tobe

goiiig.

deck,

jh tory

scenery

igether,

ecediDg
she had
he con-
ily could

Whw
ed to see

Many,
wded on
;r face to

t surface
l1, spread
irithou* a
an exeel,
for tiaus-
1 as !»o\v,
ifts, and
ovely and
light long
'ocecdin;r,

Ifathoms,
•ommonly
ition, per-
d over tho

greon mirror, and the snowy surf of tho distant beach on
either hand elevated i» the air, driving along like the
white smoke of artillerv, while fountains and walls of
water were rising to a considerable height in the horizon,
pouring down glittering streams. The shores were in
some parts low, formed into meadows of rich verdure, or
covered with woods of pine, fir, and cedar trees, having
a chain of hills behind; in others precipitous and bold,
but jilways rich to a wonder in vegetation of that large
growth peculiar to transatlantic scenery. As evening
advanced, the fish ins-boats in the numerous creeks and
bays, with their lights, were a picturesque sight. The
Niagara shore now came in view,and villages, surrounded
with gardens, and divided by meadows, streams, and
woods, appeared under a soft dry haze.

The travellers entered the Niagara river, and landed
at the town of the same name, which Is seated within a ,
short distance of the point of the angle made by the ■
lake and river. They had a letter for the brother of the
American representative of the town, from the Governor
of Toronto, and having sent it to his house by 9. servant
while they engaged apartments at an inn, he came im-
mediately to them, and invited them to make their home
beneath his roof as long as thoy chose to stay in the dis-
trict. They accepted his offer, and afier resting a night
at the inn, nere welcomed with courtesy and hospitality
at his large and rich farm, which stood on the borders
of the river, just outside the town, Mr. Charleston, as
their host was named, wasan intelligent man, possessing
an abundant knowledge of fuels on all subjects, especially
Doliticnl. The Earl was at no loss for interest, therefore,
while Air. Charleston was in the way to converse with

2Qi

THR CANADIAN GIRL.

■|

liim. Tlio lafler, too, frequently walked out with l>im
to view the news-rooms and institutions, the buihiingM
in progress, tl;e chief di?pots of trade (which flourishes
here), the grist and saw-mills on ihe heights, and es-
pecially Fort George, in which there was & strong de-
tachment of British troops, to whom the Earl had letters
and papers from Toronto — papers that the deceased
Colonel was to have dehvered. • '

Lady Hester and the Earl, with IjC^ifia and her go-
verness, accompanied by Mr. Charleston and his two
laughters, went to see the far celebrated Fal's, on the
third day after the arrival of the former in Niagara. The
country through which the river flows is more populous,
tnd in a higher state of cultivation, than any other part
of North America. Its wild fruits are abundant, and of
the rarest and finest sorts, and the salubrious nature of the
climate is seen in the healthy countenances of the in-
habitants. To prepare Letitia to understand the spec-
tacle which they were about to view, the Earl informed
her Chat this river was a channel by which the vast lakes
of Huron, Michigan, Superior, and Erie, with their
countless rivers, rush fromthointeriorof North America
(0 pour themselves into the ocean. The travellers l?ft
the farm by daylight in the morning, but early as it was,
ihiiv fouo'^ the road to the Falls crowded with eager
ViSi'v'jvs in vehicles of all descrij.lions. The enjoyment
of (iiedav Vim orenllv If .cnod to Lady Hester by the
' fi!,hi uf t^e fhousinuis who were <i;athered about the
T*^ii.;o of ftlnactioii, lor ler weeds oi' uidowliood, and tho
g.diP ..'i ^ lir ; 1 ft'elinirs ofjicr houvt, were little suited
te yuc hilarity and hustle as here presented itself.
Stiis, ihe a»v7!i} maguificcnce of tho cataracts impressed

THB CANADIAN OIRK..

269

Hielf indelibly on her astonished imagination. The
tremendous noise —

" As if the world'* wide continent
Had fallen m univenal niin wrack';," ' ' ' "' ""

bewildered her senses as she stood on the Table Hock,
which is on a level with the great Horse-shoe Fall on
the Canada side. Here —

.loU'

•I llJ fi il

" The thunder nf (ho oarili-iipliftin^ roar,

'j .'•

r. '

Mado the air swei']) in whirUvinds from the shorn."

Tlie river before her was divid h\ bv a sniiill jjreen
island, called Goat Island, on e ch side of which it
rushed headlong down a descent 'nil of broken rocks
with tremendous speed, increasing ( very moinont, until it
hurled the vast flood of the great Anirrican lakes over
the mighty precipice in two twin ?ataracts that united
below, Ilor eye scarce knew where to rest — she was
astounded. The gigantic liquid sheet of emerald and
of silver, " horribly beautiful !" — its semicircular front,
nearly three quarters of a n)ile broad, grandly shrouded
by revolving columns of mist that rose perpetually from
the thundering gulf — inspired her with sublime admira-
tion ; while a lovely sunbow, radiant in the very midst
of those columns, awakened sensations still mare exqui-
site; the glowing and vivid colours of that beautiful iris-,
long fascinated her gaze. But now the columns became
confused and broken, the arches'of the bow melted from
their centre that still remained unaltered, the spr.w,
risiiicf like an immense curtain from the foot of t!ie cata-
rants, formed into prodigious shapes, and a number nf
dhatfered rainbows suddenly appeared, pliying iti frafri
rneij*.s about tlioMi. Entranced, r,he watched thi.s spiondi'l

2 M

'1 1

260

THB CANAUIAN OIRC

transrortnation, then her soul, overnrrought with the
height of its sensations, found a welcome relief in the
soft |)laci(litv of the island on the river and the op[K)sito
American shore, which strikingly contrasted with the
a\vfiilnc-«s of the .rild rapids and the matchless catiiract
which they overlooked.

Letilia, alter the first sarprise and enchantment had
a little subsided in her youthful breast, was eminently
pleased with the sight of thousands of water-fowl, who,
coming from northern lands in search of a milder climatBi
swam down, or flew on whistling wings a little over, the
Niiigara river to the brink of the Falls, there advancing^
in the air about the mists fronting the stupendous sheet
of wJiter, and lingering in the neighbourhood with evident
j J, and wonder; ducks of many species, the teal, the
widgeon, the shallard, and the swan, were among thes3
migratory birds, and pointed out to Letitia by the
governess. Frequently were some of the interesting
creatures borne down by the glassy current into the gulf
and drowned. Letitia particularly grieved for two nohle
■wans, which came on boldly past Goat Island, then
became entangled in the confused and dashing waves of
the rapids, and were presently precipitated together over
the precipice. She was in tears, but a fresh succession
of novel objects rendered her regret no more than mo>
mentary. ' u^^

The Earl, who had little relish for the sublimities of
nature, had chiefly interested himself with calculating^
the altitude cf ♦he two cataracts and their curvilinear
length, and, coming to the conclusion that these great
falls were not so large as many others in different parts
tf the world, he decided that they had no particular

,ii

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

claim to praise. The Misses Cliarlestons, piqued for
tlie reputation of the wonder of Niagara, asked him if in
all his travels he had seen, or even heard, of any so
astonishingly sublime, leaving out of the question the
quantity of feet they measured? Tho Earl pleased the
young ladies by replying that Mr. Charleston had in-
i)rmed him that one hundred and two millions of tons
of water, it was comp'iteH, were hourly precipitated down
these rapids, and ho must say he had nev^r known a-y
Falls which poured such a qnantity as that ; certain^ .
in respect of quantity, these cataracts were magnificent.

The travellers left the flat surface of the Table Rock,
which juts over the terrific abyss, ')y open steps cut in
its lofty side, and crossed tho ferry a little below the
Falls, in order to have a complete front view of them ;
there, on the water, Lady Hester was, if posRible, more
nmazcul and awe- struck with the im(ne»is(^ scene, than
bpfore; but, turning her head, the Ningara, with tho
flocks of birds flying along with, or upon its current,
now appeared calmly flowing on toward Lake Ontario,
thirteen miles distant, without exhibiting t)ne trace of
that tremendous agitation which it had just passed
through, and whilst she was delighted with this beautifuk
change, it suggested to her many amilitudes of the
changes of human life.

At Queenston, seven miles from the Falls, on the river,
Lady Hester and her friends dined at six in the evening,
and there they staid a night The next morning they
went four miles above the town to view another wonder
of the Upper province, which would have been a secondary
attraction nowhere but in the neighbourhood of the
stupendous cataracts— this was the Whirlpool of the

269

THB CANAUI/VN OIIIL.

Niagara. The country was now entirolv wlteretl, rising
into bold and high ridges, known as the Qiieunstun
Heights ; the river ])>\sses hotwoon perpendicular preci-
pices ^ tne current beconuv^ extremely rapid and powerful ;
suddenly leavincr the direct channel it advances with
maddening velocity romid the circularly excavated
banks ; then, having made this circuit, regains its ordi-
nary course, which suddenly contracts, and dashes along
confincii between frowning rocks. Here Lady Hester
renewed her former sublime sensations, and elevated her
thoughts to that Being, whose infinitely varied works of
beauty and of grandeur, form a continual feast for the
enlarg <s soul. Mr. Charleston stated the mouth of the
Whirlpov^l to be at least one hundred feet wide, and
two thousand in length ; the estimated depth was fearfu'
to contemplate. The water was terrifically agitated,
covered with raging froth, of dazzling whiteness, whirling
round the centre of the vortex, convulsed, writhing,
curling, and hissing, like a boiling cauldron. Letitia's
youthful sensibility was again called into play, for here,
as at the Falls, she saw some fine water-fowl perish,
being caught within the dreadful circle, and swept round
and round, with a quivering unequal motion, to the
centre, where they were sucked in while yet their harrow-
ing shrieks mingled with the din of the water.

The travellers returned to the town of Niagara before
nightfall, and, as the present lovely reather was shortly
expected to give place to the rainy season, they deter-
mined to lose no time in sailing up the more interior
lakes. Lady Hester made presents to the two amiable
daughters of their polite host, and fmrted from them for
a short period only, intending to return and remain

■St

\viih i\\em a week Defore visiting Lower Canada. Tho
master of tho vessel, which the travellers had hired, waa
a skilful sailor, advanced in years, who was assisted by
three other seamen equally experienced. None of tho
oarty felt the least hesitation in trusting life and a large
amount of money which they carried w-ith them, to his
care, for he had given many references, that had proved
highly satisfactory, to persons of respectability in Toronto,
both as to his honesty and intimate knowledge of sailing
on the lakes. The trim ship was stored under his eye
with provisions for a month, and the travellers passed
from the Niagara, through the Chippewa River, into
Lake Erie, oo the day after their visit to the WhirlpooL

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270

THE CANADIAN OIRI-

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'•• ..> t.

CIIAPrEIl XVII.

, * iVatchinit itieir lemlrr'ti tx^ck aiul will,
., , All •ilrrit there llioy utood »n<l ^li'l

Like the lome cm?* wliom* tliir^d.'ninir mil"
Lay lotleiiiijj o'er llie h How pans, _ _ _

Ap if ao tiifa<it'> t'licli c ■>i!>l u i;<>

' Tbik* headlong ]iaauig« ilown I h» rer;c,*'—Avtr.

• i-U

The strong steamer, in wliicli were tlie pnrsuers of
the Pirate, had been all this time be;itin<; about Lake
Eric, it having been supposed that he was hiding about
some of the promontories on the coast, which indeed was
ieally the case. Tlie Fearless moved only by night on
the lake, and lay concealed during the day in places
dangerous of approach to any but the initiated. Thus
week after week passed, and the j)ursuers gained no ad-
vantage whatever although they kept up the chase with
untiring ardour. Clinton, sleepUssly an.xious for his fa-
ther's safety was perjx'tually glancing round the shores
in search of the siornal light, which sometimes ijUmmered
on a misty height in the remote distance, sometimes
tiamed on rocks more near. The constant passing of
migratory wild-fowl frequently served him with a pi-ctext
for firing the shots which informed the Pirate of the
situation of his advcrsarv.

TUB CANADIAN GinL.

271

But now tho hunted vessel had boon driven iioar th«»
tnnixth of tho lako, whero tho Amorlcan beach was ex-
treinoly wihl, presentinj^ a dark and gloomy picture;
Inige hIacU rocks, like the shattered ruins of a stori'a
world, lay scatter d in naked majesty many successive
mih«8 aloiiff the side of the lake, whose waters rushed in
between them, and lashed their brrren sides with furious
and nneeasinsr roar. Behind, was spread a country no
less wild and stern — an extensive tract, swampy and
desolate, exhibiting a number of small conical hills of
uand and clay, which had obtained for it the appellation
of tin Sugar-loaf country. Here, mists wer«! now hanging
rn tho air, and spreading around, even at mid-day, a dis-
mal obscurity. In a covo of this district the Pirate hud
Iain two days in a peculiarly perilous situation; he now
emerged before dark, trusting to the mist as a cover,
and proceeded some miles further up the lake. The
mist grew thicker as he advanced, and tho darkness
about ton o^clock was so dense that he became every
minute fearful of coming in contact with sonv; vessei.
A strong light could hardly be seen a few yards off, so
that no craft was distinguishable to tho eye, nor could
any approaching be heard, on account of the noise of the
surf dashing among the rocks. He was guiding the ship
with great caution in its intricate course when that hap-
pened which he feared most. A sudden concussion look
place between the Fearless and a sloop coining from an
opposite direction ; the blow was very violent, hut tho
Pirate instantly beeanie aware that he had susfjiiiieil l)nt
a slight injury, while the othor had sudered seriously.

" Bring up a couple of lighted torches!" shouted he,
at the head of the companion-stairs; they were put inio

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

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1.0 !fK*i

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2.5

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1.8

1^ i^ ilM

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fliotDgraphic

Sciences

Corporation

33 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80

(716)872-4503

4is

272

THE CANADIAN GIRL.^

his hand. " Merry, lofirer the boat I" he cried. " Hof
Haverstraw ! where are you ?"

" Here, at your elbow. Captain," said tne ancient
sailor. <

" Stop the ship !" exclaimed the Pirate; it was almost
instantaneously done. He then himself sprang into the
boat, and darted to the spot, where the screams of fe-
males, and the distressed shouts of male voices, announced
the fate of tlie vessel that had been struck. He waved
the blazing torches in the stifling fog, and presently per-
ceived a sloop, with her mast thrown down, and her
timbers split, in the act of sinking ; the head was already
under water, and several ladies, and male figures, were
clingmg to the rails at the hinder end of the deck.
The unfortunate vessel went down within half a minute
after receiving the shock, but with promptr«ess and cou-
rage, the Pirate, assisted by the black, succeeded in
picking out of the water two ladies, a gentleman, and
two sailors, who were safely lodged in the boat.

One of the ladies, the last person rescued, cried out
fervently as soon as she was in the boat — " Thank God!
— ^thank God ! — I live ! But are you all here ?" she
asked in a thrilling tone of agonising anxiety. " Father!
sister ! Miss Gresham ! — Let me hear your voices if you
really exist !" The former and the latter, to her great
satisfaction, answered — " We are here ! — we are safe !
— ^thank heaven !" but wlien she repeated the name of
"Letitia!" no roply was rotiirned.

" There is a voiintj ladv still strufrGflinjj in the water,
Merrv !" cried the Pirate, hastily jjivinnr the torches to
the black. " She has caught the floating spar on our
lee! Keep the flame playing here as well as the fog will

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

213

let you — I must plunge to save her, for slio is linking !"
He said no more, but bound a cord round his waist in an
instant, and threw himself into the lake, while Merry
twisted the other end of the cord round his own arm.

The vessel which had sunk so suddenly, was that in
which Lady Hester and her friends left Niagara ; they
had been bewildered in the fog, which had spread further
on the lake than had been known for many years, and
had run on that dangerous course whicii the Pirate was
traversing when he met tlitin. Had thoy not come in
contact with the Fearless, it is most probable that they
would have met a more complete destruction on the
rocks concealed under water in front of the beach.

The Earl and Lady Hester were smitten with horrgr
when, by the feeble light of the torches which the mist
deadened, they saw Letitia sink witliin a few yards from
them, stretching out her arms, and calling on the Earl
to save her. Then the thick gloom baflled their sight,
but presently the torch-rays again penetrating to the
surface of the water, they beheld the Pirate diving where
she had gone down ; a moment of breathless suspense
followed, and obscurity again prevailed. Now the
splashing of a strong swimmer was faintly heard close
by the boat, and the Pirate called out, " Merry ! — the
lights !" The black lowered the torches, stooping over
the boat's side. The Pirate was treading the water, and
striking out one arm to keep himself afloat, while with
the other arm he supported the senseless body of the
fair child. His herculean strength i-esisted well the
force of the powerful current, and he succeeded in seizing
nold of the boat. Merry passed the torches to the Earl
who, with Lady Hester, stood by him trembling, and

2 N

27*

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

1/ i

balancing himself on the edge of the boal steadily, took
Letitia from the Pirate, and raised her to the arms of
her father. The Pirate sprang in, and in ten minutes
more all were on the deck of the Fearless.

" Haveritraw," said the Pirate, " go down to the
hold — unstop a bottle of my best wine ; you know the
mark on the cork, and bring it to my cabin. Merry, go
down and hand a light to the foot of the ladder for these
strangers." It was done, and the Pirate led the way
down to his cabin, where a bright coal fire was burning
cheerfully.

" Jenny, my dear," called the Pirate at the door of
the inner cabin. Jane came out immediately, but shrank
back at the sight of the strangers.

Lady Hester felt no surprise at the elegant appearance
of the furniture around her, for she knew not as yet the
character of the ship in which she was, but supposed it
was some superior trading vessel. This idea was con-
firmed by the Pirate's introduction of Jane as his
daughter, for there was something so modest and refined
about her interesting figure, that even had Lady Hester
suspected the truth it would have been difficult for her
to persuade herself at first that such a girl was indeed
living among a gang of privateers.

" Come forward, Jenny," said the Pirate ; " the ship
we struck against has gone to the bottom, but I and
Merry have been fortunate enough to save all her pas-
sengers, those three ladies and that gentleman, as well as
two of her seamen. We ourselves have received little
damage, and that little will soon be put to rights. But
now do you see that the youngest lady is in a senseless
condition ; you must attend to her directly, and let

TlIK CAN. \ 01 AN UIRL

275

Ddborah assist you. She lias had a narrow escape from
being drowned, and requires strict and immediate at-
tention."

The sofa was in front of the fire ; Lady Hester sat
down there, and the Earl, who had carried the dripping
form of Lctitia down the ladder, now placed her on her
sister's lap, and anxiously looking in her face, called her
by name, but no sign of animation was discernible. Jane,
having quickly set Deborah about making up a good
fire in the inner cabin, proposed that Letitia should be
taken in there and laid in a warm hammock. At this
instant ancient Haverstraw entered with the wine, and
touching his white locks respectfully, told the strangers
that he had once been a surgeon in an American man-
of-war, and that he had prescribed for all the ailments
of the crew of the Fearless ever since it had been under
the present Captain ; therefore if they would allow him
to advise for the young lady, he had no manner of doubt
but he should bring her to again, " that is," said he,
again touching with apparent unconsciousness his scanty
hairs, and glancing upwards reverentially, " if the life
has not parted from her. There is a time appointed for
old and young, and when it is filled up they must die,
no help of man can prevent it ; but, if Providence will
it so, I shall bring the young lady round again, by your
leaves."

" Lady, believe me, you may safely trust the old man,"
said Jane, timidly, to Lady Hester ; " he is not without
skill in cases like this."

" Come near, then," said the Earl to Toby ; " look
at the child, and tell us, if you cim, the speediest and
best remedies for her revival."

276

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

Haverstraw did so, and in conformity with his direc-
tions Letitia was undressed with haste, and placM in
hot blankets in Jane's hammock, with her head and
shoulders raised ; she was then well rubbed with the
hand, and bladders of hot water applied to her extremi-
ties and laid on the pit of her stomach. This did not
succeed for some time, and the Earl, who loved Lotitia
tenderly, began to weop in despair. Lady Hester, and
the governess, too, lost all hope of seeing her revive.
But old Toby, holding a hand looking-glass to her lips,
exclaimed softly, " She breathes !" and begged all par-
ties to preserve strict silqnce, " for," said he, " her
life is just now like a lark on tlie point of taking wing,
the least disturbance about licr may startle it away."
f\ The Earl was particularly pleased with this caution,
he thouglit it highly judicious, and as his confidence in
Haverstraw rose, he grasped the tar's hard hand, and
squeezing it with onoriry, cried, " Restore her, my good
friend, and I wil' give you fifty dollars, ayp, a hundred !"
Haverstraw answered very sedately —

" I am more than fourscore }ears old, and have
neither wife nor child, mcllior nor sister; I have no house-
rent to pay, and the old jacket and trousers you see me
in will serve mo very well till my Captain brings me
another off shore. So you see I have no want of money,
thank you the same. I will do my best for the young
lady, but Providence will have its rule, sir."

The Earl lookcda little surprised, for he had not been
accustomed to have ofiTers of money rejected. Haverstraw,
however, took no notice of wliat the Earl had said, but
in his disiviti^rcstcd simplicity went on giving advice for
Letitia. Jaue ijccondcd him ablv, and a laroe, low cask

\:*

THE CASADtAN CIRL.

277

having been rolled in, it was shortly filled with warm
water, and the child was immersed in a bath to the neck.
About ten minutes passed, and then a gasp or two gave
the first welcome sign of her restoration. She breathed
very feebly after this, but was evidently recovering.
Toby now directed Jane to give her a little warm wine
which he had made ready. Letitia swallowed a tea-
spoonful or two before she was taken out of the bath,
and when laid in bed again drank the rest in small
quantities ; she then fell into a quiet sleep, and anxiety
for her was lost in joy and thankfulness.

" My honest friend," whispered the Earl to Haver-
straw, with tears, " remember that I owe you a recom-
pense ; your presence of mind and careful attention to
my darling, have saved her, and you must not — shall
not — be unrewarded. And what shall I say to yoM?"
continued the Earl, addressing the Pirate, who now re-
entered the cabin to inquire what success had attended
the efforts made for Lotilia ; " to you, who risked your
own life for hers ? My gratitude is more than I can
express."

" Do not attempt to express it," said the Pirate, with
a sort of hauglity humility ; " I give you my assurance
that I did no more for your daughter than any other
man with a spark of true spirit would liave done. The black
who assisted me so boldly is, however, very much en-
titled to your gratitude ; but for him you would none of
you have been alive now."

" Call him hither," said the Earl ; " I will reward him
with a liuiuli-ed dollars. To toll you the truth, sir, I am
a man of rank and fortune."

Merry came into the ou(er cabin ; and the E;irl, taking

'SS

Tilt; CANADIAN OIKI.,

from his pocket a leathern case which had resisted llic
action of the water, and opening it, said—

" You have done me a great benefit, and here are
notes on the Toronto bank which will bring you a hun-
dred dollars."

Merry received the thin slips of stamped paper with a
dubious air, and held them on the dusky palm of his
hand, staring first at the Earl, then at the Pirate, then
at the notes, as if he thought some trick was being played
upon him.

" They are your own, put them to a wise use, good
fellow," said the Earl; " perhaps your Captain here
may advise you how best to dispose of them for your
advantage. Don't spend them in liquors."

" Me hab a hunder dollars !" cried Merry, all at once
leaping up from the floor in an ecstasy, and grasping
the notes tightly in his high-lifted hand ; " O, lor-a-me !
a hunder dollars ! — a hundei dollars ! — a hunder dol-
lars!" his white teeth were completely exposed by his
broad grin of rapturous joy, and his fine black eyes
beamed and sparkh'd. " No — no, Massa, me not spend
dem, de angels ! in rum, and Virginia leaf, and brandy.
Me gib de crew otie treat — no more, by gor — only otiCf
Massa ; and me only buy one lot ob Virginia, and rum,
and brandy — no more den one, Massa, or I'm no blacky,
and den all de rest shall buy me free from dat massa I
run away from; and I will walk out afore him, and
laugh at his cowskin, and his law — he — he — ^he ! — O,
lor-a-me ! — dat will be joy i"

" What !" exclaimed the Earl, smiling, " you ran
away from your master, did you ? — Well, if you give
me his name and tell me where he lives, I will make the

THE CANADIAN OIRL,

21'.?

lie

bargain for you, for I suspect you will not have ^fl'bugn
money in hand."

** Him is a hash merchant, in Kingston," said Merry,
his eyes literally blazing with rapture. ** Him make
pothash, pearlhash, and grow rice. Him cunning fox,
Massa ; him call me strong, tall, ail noting ; ask great
price for me ; tell you dat if he not make me free, he
will catch me some day or oder, and make me work wid
de cowskin. He sly, rich, old fox ; — he get — get — get
•— neber lose noting at all."

« *^ If this is his character I must deal cunningly with
him," said the Earl ; " however, I am not afraid but I
shall bring him to points — ^give me his name?"

" Somers," answered the black; "Massa Philip
Somers. I don't care one fig for him," he added, snap-
ping his fingers, *' while I am wid de brave bucca — "
he adroitly checked himself before concluding the word,
as the Pirate gave him a warning look, and correcting
himself quickly, said — " I mean while I am wid de Cap-
tin here. Old Somers must look sharp to catch hold
ob me, now — he — he; — me laugh at de old fox now.
He get a taste of gunpowder, by gor, if he come a-ni^h
here! — he— he — he !"

"If you feel yourself so safe, why are you anxious to
purchase freedom from his claims?" asked the Earl.

" 'Cause me like to dance and sing in Kingston wid
me 'quaintances,'' cried Merry, " and now me cant go
dere 'cause ob de old hash-merchant, wid his yellow face,
and his red eyes ; I'd sooner see a tiger-cat at ray hools
den him, any day ; he a'most whipped de strength out
ob my bones afore, (and dat not so soon done, Massa,
for me berry strong indeed.")

280

Tlin CANADIAN OIRL.

" WoU, you shall go to Kingston or where you like
in future, and bo afraid of no man, if I can do it," said
the Earl. " I will see that your purchase is made from
Somcrs so that ho can never again have any power over
you. Make your mind easy; within two months at the
farthest, my good fellow, you may write yourself a free
man, rely on my word,"

The black, overjoyed at the prospect of getting rid of
the uneasy fears which had frequently disturbed his quiet,
held out the notes to the Earl, with the intention of re-
turning them, perfectly trusting in his promise. The
latter was pleased with this reliance, which ho put to
the proof by taking back the money. When Merry,
however, was quitting the cabin to whisper his good for-
tune among the crew, he said to him—

" But you have forgot the Virginia leaf, and the rum,
and brandy, and the treat to your friends of this ship:
take again the hundred dollars, I will buy your freedom
with other money."

** And now, once more, sir, what can I do for you ?"
said the Earl, turning to the Pirate, and shaking his hand
with an enthusiasm not very common with him. " You
nave done me an unspeakable good ; my young child —
my darling Letitia ! — would have been lost but for you.
You, individually and alone, placed your life at imminent
hazard for her. She is the heiress of a maternal title
and fortune, though my youngest daughter, and it would
not become me, her parent and guardian, to let bare
thanks be the only return made to you. No, Captain
Anderson, you must, to relieve my feelings, and satisfy
my mind, say in what I can serve you. I have much
influence among persons of distinction on this side of the

■■ s

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

'-^81

Atlantic, as well as on the other, and it shall be used for
you to any honourable extent, and in any honourable
way you think proper."

They were alone ; the Pirate meditated ; some changes
passed over his face ; he began to speak, but his voice
was at first lost in secret agitation.

V ** Sir, or my lord," he resumed, " (for I do not know
by which to address you, since you tell me you are «k
man of rank,) were I to persevere in a compliance with
my first impulse, I should refuse plainly, in few words,
and for ever, the acceptance of any favours from you on
the present understanding ; but, sir, there are struggling
in my breast, thoughts, and yearnings, and reviving prin-
ciples, which oppose and overcome that impulse ;— yes,
they overcome it !" he exclaimed, repeating the words,
and rising from the chair — " I master that impulse ! — I
accept your kindness !"

The Earl was surprised by his manner; he fixed his
eyes on him with expectancy, and listened with a par-
ticular attention to the Pirate's fine, full tones, expressive,
against his will, of powerful emotion.

*' Sir, I am a man who has ever thirsted for distinction,
for rule. Had my situation in the world afforded me
the opportunity, I should never have rested day or night
until I had reached some dazzling goal beyond the stretch
of ordinary ambition. I have wished for command over
my fellows — I always thought I wished it for their good,
but that was self deception, I see it now. Dependency of
any description has always been torture to me. I have
teiways fancied myself out of my proper sphere. In my
wild dreams 1 have sighed for empire. Oh, bad I been
but a Bonaparte ! — a Washington ! — I have been mad

2 a

- M

'/:

THR c.\:(Ani.kN i;mf..

enough to say to myself. Wlion I hoar of tho two
horoes of Engliuid and Franco, Wolfe and Do Montcalm,
who fell so gloriously on tho plains of Abraham at Que-
bec, envy wrings mc at tho heart ! And so it is when
I hear of other heroes — no matter whether they be naval
or military, whether they have lived in tho present, or a
remote age. You sec, sir, tho disease which has been
my bane."

** It is one," said tho Earl, with grave emphasis,
*' which has made a few great men, but many villains^
From what I have seen of you I should say, had circum-
stances favoured you, )ou would have been great, that
is, distinguished."

** As it is," quickly exclaimed tho Pirate with bitter-
ness, " I am a villain ! Rightly, sir, have you said, that
the passion for distinction makes many villains — I know
it. Some of the finest spirits in the world, depraved by
this deceitful semblance, which they embrace with eager-
ness, become first dispirited with ill-success, then des-
pairing, then reckless, and so the world of outcast rogues
is abundantly populated. It was thus that I became
what I am."

" You ! — Why are you not a merchant ?" demanded
the Earl.

" No," replied the Pirate, " I am an outlaw, flying
from the face of justice, and heading a desperate and
tu.bulent set of adventurers of all nations."

The unpleasant astonishment of the Earl may be ima-
gined ; his first thought was for his daughters. " Good
heavens ! my children in a ship of this description !" he
exclaimed, turning pale.

Do not, sir, fear, either for them or for yourself,**

Tflf CANAPfAN OIUL.

26;^

nai<l the Pirate ; " I tolorato no bloodshed on the Fear-
h>s8, except when driven upon the stern necessity for
fctilf-preservation. You and your party are safe here, I
pledge my life for it The ladies will remain with my
daughter, and it will be better for them to bo kept in
ignorance of the truth until they leave us, in order to
spare them unnecessary alarm ; as for yourself, you shall
have at night the use of my own hammock and sleeping
cabin, and there you will find both bolt and key inside
to make you sleep secure agninst intrusion. The two
sailors saved with you I will put with the negro and the
old man you have seen, they are always ready to execute
my slightest wish, and will watch their safeties well.'*

'* Dear— <lear ! this is a very awkward situation to
find one's self in when it is least expected/' said the
Earl, shifting his position uneasily in his seat. ** I must
say you speak very fair— very fair, indeed. Captain-
but I cannot easily reconcile myself to the discovery,
and that's the truth. In a ship of rovers ! Bless me !
it is dreadful to think of— dreadful ! Not a single ser-
vant at hand^no weapon in my possession ! — We might
almost as well have been drowned."

The Pirate caught the word " weapon." " To ease
you still further, sir^" said he, " and to satisfy you if I
can, of my good intentions toward you, I will provide
you with weapons. Here is my own dagger, and knife,
both of fine temper you see, and in the best possible
condition — keep them concealed about you; and step
here to my sleeping cabin, I will show you defence suffi
cient for a dozen men."

The Earl stepped with him to the place named, and
the Pirate showed him a row of bmall arms placed on

inpi

284

the wall.

TFIE CAXAPIAN GIRL.

i(ly for

immoifiate use, behind a canvass
screen at the head of the hammock ; he also pointed out
several horns of powder, and a bag of shot, and drew his
attention to the fastenings of the door. • '"•' "

" I assure you," said the Pirate, " you will ^have no
need of these ; nevertheless, there they are, and I resign
this cabin entirely to your use while you are in my ship,
for both night and day." .' '-- ■>

t " Thank you — thank you ; I feel reassured now," said
the Earl, shuddering at sight of the arms. " But now
tell me how it happens, that a man of superior endow-
ments and education, such as you evidently are, can
persuade yourself to remain in a post so dishonourable
as this which you occupy now."

" That is the matter of which I wish to speak," said
the Pirate. " This vessel is mine ; I purchased it of a
slave owner ; but were I to attempt to leave the band,
and claim my own property for my future support, the
crew would prevent my going, and perhaps take away
my life. The want of private means has, therefore, prin-
cipally detained me here. I have a daughter, for her I
must provide accommodations somewhere ; she cannot
bear hardship as I might. Here, then, is the plain case ;
if you bestow on me a gift of a few hundred dollars,
(three hundred is as much as I would accept, less than
that would, perhaps, answer my purpose,) I shall quit
piracy for ever."

" Five hundred, at least, you must receive," said the
Earl. " I give them freely, congratulating you on
your resolution, and I wish you prosperity in a better
avocation."

" I now only wish for a hearth in retirement, and

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

285

food and clothing sufficient for nature's needs," said the
Pirate. " However, let it be as you have said, generous
sir ; five hundred dollars I will take as your freb gift,
for I can never hope to repay it, and with the money
ray child and I will fly from this way of life, and she
shall remember your name (if you will let me know it,)
in her daily prayers."

A few minutes afler this conversation the Pirate saw
his daughter pass by the door and step softly down
to the hold, to fetch something which she wanted for a
supper for her guests. He followed her, and called her
in a low voice by name. She started and trembled,
fearing it was some of the crew, but instantly recognising
her father, smiled affectionately, returning his caress,
and asked him many questions which hitherto the pre-
sence of the strangers had prevented. '

" You nearly sunk, father, Haverstraw tells me, when
you were striving to save the youngest lady, who, I am
delighted to say is fast recovering."

" It is true I did," said the Pirate ; " and had I lost
my presence of mind for a moment, you would have seen
no more of the father who has been such a trouble to

>»

you

X " 'Vliy do you speak in that way ?" said Jane, tears
springing to her eyes ; " have I not always loved you
as well as ever daughter loved a father ?"

" Forgive me, Jenny ; you are full of tenderness to
me — tenderness, heaven knows, ill deserved ! But you
have often entreated me to quit these privateers I am
leagued with ; what would you say if I could now pro-
mise you that you should soon, very soon, have you*'

nisu

28G

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

Ij: >

" Say !" exclaimed Jane ; " I should say heaven help
you to carry out your purpose !"

" Heaven waits that prayer, then," said the Pirate, with
lower but decided tones ; " for I promise you, by all my
hopes to see you happy and light-hearted, that if it be
at all practicablOf I will not see another moon rise over
me in this ship ! O, Jenny ! for thy sake chiefly, and
for thy brother's, I determine upon this change ; for as
for me, personally, I am lost to society, to myself, to my
God, and it is little matter where or with whom I dwell.
The strangers whom Merry and I have rescued, are per-
sons of high distinction ; Merry will gain by what he
did for them, not only a hundred dollars, but his legal
freedom, also, from the slave-master who owns him; and
I have compelled myself to stoop to receive five hundred
dollars from the gentleman, in consideration of what I
did ; and with that five hundred dollars I will loosen
myself from the bands which bind me to the Fearless
and her crew, and maintain you in some secret place on
land."

*' Oh, this is the happiest news that ever sounded in
my ears !" said Jane, clasping her hands on the Pirate's
shoulder, and smiling through her tears. He passed
his arm round her waist, and said—

**■ Now study to be cheerful a little longer ; within a
month you will have solid ground beneath your feet, and
no fears of shipwreck, fights, or mutinies, to distress
you more."

" Understand my true feelings, father," said Jane
" it is not to save either of us from distress that I would
draw you from a Pirate's life ; honourable, honest dis-
tress, I would not shrink from sharinrr with you ; but

TH15 CANADIAN G[RL.

4Q7

here, father, there can never be either honour or
honesty." ' '

" You speak severely, Jenny ; is there no honesty in
meek old Toby ? — in brave Merry ? is there no honour
in your father's breast V*

" Yes — there is," said Jane ; and she lifted his hand
with a hasty movement of affection to her breast, and
held it there ; " but-^" she stopped, casting her eyes
seriously to the ground, while the Pirate's majestic fea-
tures revealed the most painful feelings of humiliation.

" But what ?" said he, abruptly, his large brow con-
tracting with sudden impatience ; " go on, why are you
afraid to speak ?"

** I was going to say, " said Jane, '' that it cannot be
honest or right to be a friend of bad men. I see I offend
you." She paused, and then in more lively terms re-
sumed ; *' It is a great sin indeed, for a man who knows
any thing better, to be connected with this crew. They
live by the ruin of worthy men. They plunder peaceful
vessds—they spread dismay around.*'

" What else ?" said the Pirate, in a shaip tone.

" I will say no more," exclaimed Jane, passing her
arm around his neck, and looking anxiously in his face.

" To have my daughter for my judge !" ex<;Iaimed the
irritated Pirate, disengaging himself from her, and
pacing the hold ; *' I tell you, Jane, I had rather bear
the hangman's gripe, than have my crimes set out before
me by you ! What have you to do with my being a
Pirate ? tell me that, Jenny. To you I am a father
father only ; it is my men's province, and only theirs,
to see a ISrate in me." ~

•• Dear father," said Jane, " my love for you is al-

1^88

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

1^'

i I

ways ready to cover a multitude of sins, and no crimes
on your part would weaken it, that would be impossible.
But I would do you good. I know your inward pains
produced by the consciousness of partaking in guilt, and
I would lure you from guilt. I would not help you to
call dark light, anc^ light dark ; but I would win you
from the dark to the light" A virtuous purpose imparted
strength to her as she went on : — " I must see you as
you are. I cannot persuade myself that you are not a
Pirate because you have qualities and impulses above
those of ordinary Pirates, when I see you at the head uf
a gang of them. No, father, I must dare to tell you the
truth clearly ; I wish to see you forsake this ship, be-
cause you are outraging social, moral, and religious
laws, by abiding in it ; talents that were given you for
the support of virtue, you employ here in directing fifty
depraved men how best to outrage all virtue."

'* No more, Jenny ! From you I will hear no more on
this subject — ^not another word," said the Pirate, with
an air of imperative decision. He sighed profoundly.
" Jane," he resumed, after a minute of distressing re«
flections, " you have spoken well. I respect my daughter.
The probing was hard to bear, but it has done me good.
We will converse again in the morning, and in the mean-
time sleep sound and happy. I know the ruins of a fort
some forty or fifty miles from here overland, there we
will hide, and I will have no more to do with piracy: —
would that I had never had aught to do with it ! I wish
to avoid leaving the ship until she is clear of her present
danger. I will see her at a safer distance from the steamer
which is chasing her, and then she and I part for ever."

" Steamer ahead. Captain !" bawled the night-watch

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

390

Troin the liutcliwav, at the top of his voice. Jane trero
bled at the sound.

" Coming," returned tha deep tortes of the Pirate;
and, pressing his daughter's haiid, he disappeared,
having bade her not to delay supper for him.

** Have you heard my son's signal]" inquired he,
when he stepped on deck. *-

" No, sir," replied the watch ; ** there has been no
shot of any sort heard, I have been on the listen ever
since you went below." ,' ''-••• w u.,.. ...... .,.

The mists had partly cleared ofT, and a watery moon
had scattered a few rays of pale light on the turbid water
throufi^h the remaining vapour which had risen higher in
the air. Afler some time essaying to look through the
glass he returned it to the watch.

*' I can make no use of it,'* said he ; then pacing up
and down the forecastle in deep deliberation he remained
occupied with his own thougtits, occasionally stopping
and listening intensely.

*^ You are sure you saw the smoke of a steamer dark-
ening the mist ?" he suddenly asked the watch.

" Quite sure," answered the latter ; ^' I would swear
to it. I have always been able to tell when one of those
sort of sailors was ani<>h us. I could almost smell her
smoke at any distance." tiit ,'f

" You are pretty much to be relied upon, I know,"
said the Pirate; " but if it be the chaser, I wonder we
hear nothing. However, let all hands be on the alert.
Send Haverstraw to me ; but hark you, luake no alarm."

He walked up and down, and listened, dnd planned;
and meditated, until the old mariner was at his elboiv.
He then, in a suppresscnl voice, gave him a numocr o(

290

THR CANADIAN OIRL.

i !

•omntands. " Have you perfectly understood me?" he
asked.

•*' Clearly, clearly," answered Haverstraw.

" Then now execute it all in your best style," said
the Pirate ; " go, on you depends very much the fate of
all in the vessel, remember that. You will obey lue to
the letter — ^you understand ?"

" Yes, I do," answered Haverstraw : " I am no in-
experienced boy. Captain ; I have seconded you before
to-day, and you have never complained of me."

*' I have had no reason to do so, old friet .," said the
Pirate; " well have I proved your worth." , .

The preparations in case of an attack went on no less
quietly than effectually during the succeeding hour, the
Pirate continuing to pace the deck, hoping that the mist
would clear ofT so as to permit him an unobstructed view
of the lake ; but so far from this being the case it lowered
again, and became denser than ever.

Everv man was now at his snn round the sides of the
deck ; gunpowder, shot, and small arms, were brousrht
up in readiness for instant use, and Haverstraw stepped
about here and there seeing that all was in the order
his Captain had described.

Suddenly a crack was heard from an alarmingly near
point.

" 'Tis the signal ! — Nicholas is true to his word !'*
exclaimed the Pirate in his loudest tones, with hasty en-
thusiasm. " Now my men, look out ! you will be set at
work presently. Is all as it should be, Toby V . ^y
All," replied the old man. . „, , i

•*

■?'

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i»*. ■. »|i» "f^l .^,,,: r,^,^jt.^'

CHAPTER XVIII.

,\i

* : f

«* B«t that vain victor has ruined all
Th«y form no longer to their leader's call;
In vain he doth whate'er a chief may do,
T« «heck the headlong fury of that erew ; £ ,. i . t

In vain their stubborn ardour he would tame.
The hand thf.t Inndlea cannot quench the flame."'— fiJiM*

• ' Can it beher I and do we meet once more, _ „ , -

.Only to part, as we before have parted 1" — M. B(,

ii.liiSJ

ur-

Presbntly, a sound that was scarcely distmguisliai>lc
from that of the dashing surges, announced to the Pirate's
waiting ear the apjjroach of a heavy steamer. That
«ound became more distinct, and in another quarter of
« miirate the engines were heard in full play, and the
low Iceel cut through the water at a distance of not
more than twenty yards from the Fearless. ' '''^

All the privateers were in a breathless state of sus-
pense; the steamer went on a trifling distance, then
stopped, and hailed the vessel which they had passed,
having caught sight of the light of tlie torch which One
•of the sailors had broijght on deck contrary to the Cap-
tain's orders ; it had been quickly extinguished — 'but
the mischief was done. >si vi q -.-i n^-lu/- n '.ii^ir^tn
" The Pirate, seizing a trumpet, replind to the hai^ t(
the steamer that i»e was a trHfler in peitries and nsltK)il8,

I >

«0v

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

•f

had moored

and going toward La
count of the fog.

The present danger appeared to be passed now, for
the steamer again set off, and was soon lost to the ear as
well as to the eye. But the Pirate was too wary to re-
lease any of the crew from their defensive postures as
yet, and not until midnight did he himself quit the deck.
He went down, and found all in silence in the cabins as
he wished; not the least alarm had been excited in the
minds of the strangers, who had no idea that any thing
extraordinary was going on.

He had just thrown himself into Haverstraw*s ham-
mock, the latter being now on watch above, and was
settling into a sound sleep, when a soft tap sounded on
ihe cabin door. ^"*^ "^'^""^ ' '" •'^'^ '" ^' "

" Toby — it is I — I want to fl|)cak to you," said Jane,
m a subdued voice outside. The Pirate arose directly,
and, half undressed, opened the door. <^ |j ),> )fi,:; „;,^;(
1! " What is the matter, my dear? Has any thing
fKghtened you? I have occupied Toby's cabin whil**
he keeps watch above. What is it you want to say to
him?"

Oh, father ! is not some dreadful fight about to hap-
pen between this crew and some other vessel 1"

" If you suspect any thing, Jenny, it is ho use to at-
tempt to hide the truth from you. Now don't look so
terrified, my dear !^-depend on it there is no occasion.
This is all — the steamer which the Governor of Toronto
sent out against us has passed very near to-night, ^nd I
thought it safest to put all the ship under guard :-r-but
the enemy has long been out of gunshot, and there is
no more danger for us — none

'I cM/.K tS:« «iit

TUB CANADIAN (ilUL.

293

lor

as
re-
las
:k.

as
the

•' I wish I could ti ak so," said Jane, trembling.

" Don't be a coward, my dear little girl, 4onV' said
the Pirate, trying to laugh her out of her fears. " How
ilid your supper go off?"

*' Very well," said she; ** Deborah killed and dressed
the fattest fowl in the hen-coop, and boiled a piece of
poik out of the pickling-tuh. I wish you had been down
with us, you would have liked both the meat and tl^e
cooking, Deborah is so clever at those sort of things.
ITje message you sent dowp accounted very well for your
absence, and the ladies made themselves most agreeable.
The elder lady I admire exceedingly; she is wonderfully
beautiful, and very young to be a widow, poor lady I",

" Now run away to your bed, and sleep well," sai^
the Pirate, " believe me, all is right ;*' and Jane did
80, having affectionately wished him good nighf. ^

A second time the Pirate was settling to sleep, when
a second time there came a disturbing knock, this time
louder and more alarming. He sprang up — , •, •

« Who's there?" he denaanded.

** Haverstraw," was the reply. He was let in.
'" Captam, there has been two shots— not pistol-shots in
the air — but gunshots, scouring along the water and
nearly hitting our sides, just now. Will, the gunper,
who was on watch when he first smelt out the steamer,
declares it is still on our lack soniewhereabouts." .

"Is it so indeed!" muttered the Captain^ throwing
on his rough jacket ; " well, never mind, Toby, we are
■ all ready for it — it may as well come now as at any other
time. Stay, before we go up, I must ease my mind of
one burden." He fixedhis eyes a moment on the ham-
mock, musing ; then starting, put his hand on the old

i^r-

2!)4

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

J I

man's shoulder^*' If I should be killed in the struggle^
Toby Haverstraw — you hear me? — you mark me?"

" I do, my dear Captain ; but Providence, I hope,
will never let my old eyes see a sight so sad !" ' "

" Then, in such a case," continued the Pirate, not
heeding his last words, *' do you receive, for my daugh-
ter's use, five hundred dollars from the gentleman I and
Merry saved last evening ; and see her safe on shore,
Toby, and do not leave her, I charge you, until she is in
the house from which I drew her last — I mean the Enjnr-
lish Pastor's."

" I will do it if there should \.c a necessity for it,"
said Toby ; ** but don't think of sue i a thing, my dear
Captain."

" I must think of it, Toby," said the Pirate ; " and
now, remember, I have had a promise from you. Stop
another minute;" they were at the door, Haverstraw
was drawn back, the Pirate fastened his eyes on him
again with a secret meaning — *' Haverstraw, you must
go to the Governor at Toronto, and clear me from that
black suspicion, too, if I fall — you hear? You will
promise me this also ? You will not let my memory be
worse stained than is just ?"

" I understand you — I will do what you wish, if — ^
said Haverstraw, dashing a tear from his eye, and clearing
his voice, which became impeded, as he thought of the
probable chance of his Captain's death. There was a
momentary pause —

" My son," said the Pirate, speaking abstractedly,
" God bless him ! I have no more to say," he added,
^)reaking into a more animated tone ; " now go up, and
look well that my directions are obeyed in every tittle.

THE CANADIAN GIRL

20ff

III

♦>

Shot after shot now came nearer and nearer, until
fhcv rebounded from the touofh vides of the Fearless.
I'lio mist, again thinned under a lively breeze, and the
adversaries saw each other. At the instant of recog-
nition a shout arose from both vessels, and then followed
a volley of fire from the Pirate's ship, which if at re-
ttirnod by a similar salute from its pursuer. '•

Clinton was looking out on the deck of the steamer,
and wlicn the smoke rolled between the ships he shud-
dered for his father and his sister, and every pulse
throbbed with anxiety for their fate. So, also, on the
Fearless, the Pirate trembled for his son, and every gun
that was fired off by his men seemed to pass through his
own heart. It was a dreadful situation for both father
and son, but each repressed every outward exhibition of
his feelings, and braced himself for the occasion. The
moon disappeared, the wind grew quiet, and the mist
again increased, the darkness was of a pitchy intensity.
Hie firing continued at random, still the strangers on
board the privateer-vessel slept unconscious. Letitia was
the first to start up : —

" Oh, sister — sister !" she exclaimed in terror ; " Oh,
governess ! do you hear the noise ?"

Lady Hester opened her eyes — the whole ship reeled

under the shot of artillery. " What is all this !" cried

she, hastily springing out of Jane's hammock, and

' throwing on her clothes. " Keep yourself as quiet as

you can, Letty, I will call papa. Miss Gresham, awake

—awake, and dress yourself and Letitia !" She threw

' open the door, and called aloud on the Earl, who in-

' stantly joined her, amazed and alarmed in the extreme.

Here Jane came in, pale as marble, her faltering

l^^li

'' ' ; I

TRB CAKaUIA.V OIBl.

(>\\i I

ipeeoh Incapable of oneconnectod senietice :— " Oh, tay
brother! oh, my father!" she wildly exclaimed, linking
into a chair, and pressing her hands on her ears to shut
out tne awful pealing of the guns, every one of which
she knew to be charged with detith.

" What is the occiision of all this?" asked the Earl."

" Miss Anderson, you seem in preat distrt'ss," said
Lady Hester, goinfj to lier with kindness and sympathy ;
" tell n\e wliat is tho matter here. Are we attacked
by pirates 1 Do not hesitate to tell mo the truth."

" Not pirates — but enemies,'' stammeredJuno; "and
my brother — my only brother — is with them! Oh, by
this time he may bo killed ! while here, my dear father
is exposed to the same — oh, what a shot was that !" she
jumped up front tl<e chair, and clasped her hands.
** Lord preserve them ! Oh, my dear — dear father ! —
oh, my brother !" Her teeth chattered, and an icy cold-
ness spread over her frame.

Lady Hester took her hand with much emotion. •* I
feel for you extremely," said she; " but is there nothing
we can do to assist the sailors in their brave defeiice of
the vessel ?" her tone was energetic, her mien resolute.
Jane looked at her with momeiitarv admiration.

** No — we can do nothing," she replied, shaking her
head, " but remain quiet until the result is seen. To
me, that result may be complete desolation! I have
now no other relatives in the world than my father and
my brother, if they fall I am utterly alone!"

*' But you shall not be unfriended," returned Lady
Hester with warmth ; " Letitiaowes a good deal to you
s^ad your kind Irish attendant; if such an event as yoti
fear should happen (which I hope will not), we will nol

THE TANADIAN CIRL.

2f)7

leavo you unprotcctiMl or unprovided ibr." Jano could
only look lior gratitude.

" I should like to seo Captain Anderson," said tho
Earl, who knew moru than his daughters and suspected
more, going to tho foot of the ladder leading up to tho
deck. The Imtches wero closed «ibove, but ho could
hear tho tramping of the privateers, and tho orders that
were now and then shouted from difleront parts of the
vessel. The shots became more and more confused and
rapid, and now a hundred feet shook the planks. There
was evidently a conflict going on upon board of a deadly
nature. Tho cries of attack and defiance resounded
terribly through the ship. Tho hatchway was now burst
open, and tho negro darted down and closed it again on
the inside with haste and force. The Earl had caught
a glimpse of men struggling together, and of closing
weapons whoso clash he heard.

" What has occurred ? Who are they that have
boarded this ship ?'* demanded the pallid Earl*

" Me not tell you now, massa," said the black, resting
for a bare moment to take breath on the steps of the
ladder, which, the next instant, ho threw on one side.
" You must go back into de Captin's cabin, massa. You
must make no noise about it — keep still — not stir — till
do Captin con)edown.'*

His manner admitted of no dispute, and the Earl,
under the influence of fear, stepped back before Merry's
formidable handspike, and joined his terrified children.
The appearance of the young negro was not calculated
to reassure the ladies, or their father, or the anxious
Jane. His blue cotton shirt was rolled up above the
elbows and dyed with blood and gunpowder; his faco

2 Q

I' 'H

■%

298

TUB CANADIAN GIRL.

WHS expressive of all the fierce passions which the deadly
fight ill which he had been engaged was calculated to
call forth, L«titid rpvered her eyes and ran back as
she saw him to the embrace of her scarcely less fearful
governess. The black's appearance, and the Earl's
manner, all at once awakened a suspicion in Lady Hes-
ter's mind as to the real profession of the ship. She
stepped close to Merry as he stood listening by the
cabin door.

" Are not the men of this vessel pirates or smugglers ?"
she asked, in a tone which he only could hear; her
question being firmly and abn fly put, Merry's eye
sank before hi?r's, and he was at first quite at a loss what
to answer. She did not give him time to recover his
self-possession, but continued in a louder tone — " You
cannot deceive me — I read the reply in your face ! Do
not attempt to satisfy me with even the thousandth part
of a falsehood, for I assure you I am apt at discerning the
truth at all times. Are you pirates or smugglers ?^ Tell
me instantly."

Merry did not speak. ' * ••> • <

" Are you smugglers ?" she asked. • i

He answered, " No." ■ . ■ ! ■

" Then you are pirates !" said she very firmly. " Do
not dare to say no, if I am right."

He did not dare to say no, and, after a momentary
pause. Lady Hester again fixed her eyes on him : —

" Your captain is the celebrated Pirate Anderson !
Do not say no, I repeat, if I am right !" ; i ' '> ■

Again Merry was silent. •" *' ' '■'* ■•

" I see you respect truth a little, whatever be your
way of life," said she. " Now, since I know all this, it

THE CAN ALU AN GIRL.

2S9

cannot matter much if )^ou tell me who your assailants
are?"

" The Governor's people, in the steam-ship," said
Merry.

•' Ah ! — indeed !" exclaimed Lady Hester, turning
pale as she remembered that Clinton was in that steam-
ship. She went back into the cabin, and stooping to
Jane, who was sitting with her hands still clasped on her
knee, and with a fixed look of abstraction, whispered —

" I know all; but dopend upon it, if your adversaries
prevail, that both land the Earl, my father, will endea-
vour to do you service. I am sorry to see you suffering
so much. You say you have a brother on board the
steamer, that is singular; may I venture to inquire how
it IS that he Is assisting your father^s opponents ? Be-
lieve me no idle motive prompts me to inquire, but a
disposition of real friendliness towards you."

" He is not willingly," Jane began, but just then the
hatches were opened with a noise, and a voice that was
usually mellow and rich to a fault, but now strained and
hoarse, called to Merry for the ladder. It was thrown
up, and Clinton descended, while Lady Hester's heart
throbbed in her throat, and her white eyelids sank.

" My sister! — my dearest Jane !" exclaimed he. She
rushed into his arms, and was strained to his panting
breast. " Look up, my dear sister ! be at ease ! You
are safe — all is well! Father has almost gained a com-
plete victory! The men I have been with are nearly
overcome !"

Jane clapped her hands under the first impulse of her
joy, then surveyed his gracel'ul form with glances of af"
fectionate inquiry.

\ ll.

li i

^l 11:

111

300

fHE CANADIAN GIRL.

" Oh, you need not eye me so anxiously, I am not
hurt," said he, kissing her forehead.

" And father — is he safe ?"

Clinton's face suddenly became overshadowed: she
noticed its change, and abruptly exclaimed—

" He is wounded !— Perhaps he is — '*

" Killed, you were going to say," said Clinton, ten-
derly smiling on her ; " but, my dear sister, you alarm
yourself unnecessarily. No, he is not killed, I am glad
to be able 'to tell you, only a slight injury in the side
from a shot, that is all."

" That is all !" echoed Jane ; " he is wounded then ?
Oh, let me go to him !"

" By no means, Jane ; he will be brought down di-
rectly, and after his side has been examined you shall
see him, not before ; come, yield with a good grace, and
be thankful things are as well as they are." Here he
started, a red tint spread over his delicately-coloured
face, deeper and deeper still.

" Lady Hester !" he exclaimed, " I little expected
to have the honour of meeting you here ! I ask your
pardon that I did not see you before, my sister iiad en-
grossed my attention entirely."

Lady Hester was about to put out her hand, which he
was about to take, when, in uncontrolled embarrassment,,
she withdrew it, remembering who were present. In-
stantly Clinton was himself again; his colour receded,
he was outwardly collected and nonchalant, almost pro-
vokingly so.

Jane wondcM-ed when her brother recognised the lady,
anrl his expressive looks and his colour, and her em-
barrassment, Avcrc easily interpreted. She was convinced

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

301

Inot

[she

at once that not only '*iad they met before, but that they
were objects of no common interest to each other. So
quick are they who have loved to discern love in others.

" Sister, tell me how it happens that I have the sur-
prise, and, I must needs say pain, of meeting Lady
Hester Cleveland and her friends in this vessel, under
the present circumstances ?" Jane explained.

'• I am sorry," said Clinton, turning to the Earl and
then to Lady Hester, with a manner at once distant and
refined, " to hear you have been so alarmed. I hope
that in a very few hours you will find yourselves safely
on shore, beyond the reach of any more water accidents
If I can be of any service in promoting your landing,
you may command me."

" Thank you," said the Earl. " Let me see, surely
1 remember your countenance. You were sent out by
his Excellency of Toronto, were you not, against this
Pirate?"

" I Was," replied Clinton.

" How then do T find you here, taking part with the
Pirate, and calling nis daughter your sister ?"

" She is my sister," said Clinton, again flushing,
and speaking with a pride that was merely a cover to
hide the sense of his degrading origin ; " the Pirate is
my father."

" Quite a romance, I declare ! Bless me, this is odd
indeed ! Your father, eh ? Excuse me ; my curiosity,
I am aware, may be impertinent, but pray tell me, did
you not accuse him to the Governor of mutiny and mur-
der ? — and did you not lodge a written accusation
against him in the hands of some magistrate or other of
the Upper province ?"

?iy4

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

Clinton did not like the reminiscence,- he felt alarmed
when he thought of that written statement ; it might
Ibring his father into imminent peril at some future day;
his eye caught Jane's, her's reflected the fear in his.

" At that time I did not know the Pirate was my
father — that discovery I have made since," said he, and
turned aside to assist the men who were bringinof the
person of whom he spoke down the ladder.
; " You positively shall not come out — I assure you he
is not seriously hurt !" exclaimed Clinton to Jane,
putting her back within the cabin, and fastening the door
on the outside.

The Pirate hardly had patience to submit to an ex-
amination of his wound, and as soon as it had been hastily
bandaged, he threw himself from the hammock on which
he had been laid, and persisted, in despite of all oppo-
sition, in going again on deck.

The conflict, which had ceased for a few minutes, now
raged anew, but the place of strife was changed to the
steamer, which was nearly alongside the Fearless. A
knot of determined men, belonging to the former, were
fighting desperately for their lives with twice their num-
ber of desperadoes from the latter.
: " Down ! down with your weapons, men !" shouted
the Pirate-chief, in vain. The privateers were animated
by a ferocious spirit of vengeance and bloudthirstiness,
and paid no attention to his command.

" Life for life ! and no quarter !" hallooed the ruf-
fia.is ; another and another bleeding body fell over the
steamer's side into the ensanguined flood.

*' Back ! back to your ship ! down with your wea-
pons 1" again cried tlie Pirate ; his tones of power rose

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

303

high above the tumult, but produced no more effect on
those he addressed than on the water which flowed be-
neath his eye.

Threading the Pirate s glistening shrouds,

The dun smoke soars, and veils the clouds.

Below, the rattling shots rebound.

And loud defiance shouts around.

Like bloodhounds springing on their prey,

Like raging tigers held at bay,

So, the assailants onward spring,

So, driven back, their wild yells ring

From stern to aft, from aft to stem.

While their fierce hearts with frenzy bnm.

Beneath the rossel's bellowing sides,

A shape of darkness slowly glides,

Unseen of the mad homicides !

Saving, when, from the slippery tops
Of the wide decks, some ruffian dtopa ;

Wh«n, while his warm gore stains th* floai.

He, cursing, shrieks the name of •* Qool*

And better spirits hover near,

With uplift hands and falling tes7;

Ready to bear to Mercy's throne.

The soul of some repenting one.

But who are they, who, side by side,

Turn the hot battle's eddying tide ? ,•-•-.

This, mighty, strong ; that, great in skill,

Agile of limb, and swift to kill.

The Pibate-chief's is that large ft ame, •'

The younger owns a son's dear name.

Their eyes have met, their hands they lock,

Then head the bold, resistless shock. .

" The day is won I now cease the strife ! '''■

Nor touch the conquered foeman's life !" - ' -

So cries the Chief, and cry he may, / ' j

Nor will the pirates cease to slay. . .r. '

" Lay down your arms 1" they heed biui wl.

All, but wild bate, is now forgot. ■ >'<

304

THB CANADIAie OIRL.

CHAPTER XIX

" And blow them to the moon," — Shaktpeart.

Though I dislike your projects, plots, and treasoat.
And would resign my life to disappoint them,
I'll not expose you, for it might be thought
I bore mean malice." — Sinum Gurty.

The majority of the pirates were on the steamer, thus
ilesperately engaged, when the engineer found, that, in
the hurry and terror of the night, he had suffered the
works under his charge to get into disord'>r ; twice ho
communicated his fears aloud to the men c ecU, but
they were insensible to bis words, altogether s. allowed
up in the fury of the conflict ; a third time he endeavoured
to remedy his dangerous neglect, but, finding bim?olf
overmastered in the attempt, sought t® get clear of the
steamer, and swam round the Pirate's vessel; he was
seen, and a privateer, lowering bis carabine, shot him
through the head.

What followed cannot be adequately pictured ; a
thundering, stunning explosion, mixed with shrieks of
the most harrowing description, rent the air,' and the
noble steamer, together with all its living and all its
djing freight of human bodies, were scattered wide and

THE CANADIAN aml«

305

far in fragments horrible to be contemplated, that
dropped into the secret-keeping tide.

It must ever remain a mystery how the Fearless es-
caped as she did ; the steamer had not been a dozen
yards from her at the moment of the explosion, yet she
was far from being hurt so as to be altogether in an un-
seaworthy condition. Her masts were shivered, her
capstan flattened, her guns battered and some driven
out into the lake, her decks were strewed all over with
pieces of metal and wood, and with the shattered parts
of bodies, some of her flooring planks vfiite beat in, but
still no lives were lost here, except those which had
been taken in the ^fjit

Daylight broke; the water exhibited all sorts of
floating relicL. The Earl came up with Clinton to view
the dismal spectacle.

'* I shall never forget this night though I lire a thou-
sand years !'* ejaculated his lordship.

In a large cabin, two hours later, a table was spread
for breakfast ; the remnant of the crew, who were free
from wounds, sat down with the prisoners side by side ;
the latter consisted of seven persons beside those who
were seriously wounded. As little as possible was said,
and that little referred exclusively to the last catastrophe,
which had almost swallowed up the remembrance of the
previous struggle. The Pirate himself, although suffering
much in his side, sat at the head of the table and prac-
tised the utmost courtesy toward his captured opponents.
On rising, he bade them consider themselves only as
passengers to the nearest harbour, and requested them,
if, in any respect, they had reason complain of the
behaviour of the crew to them, to iniorm him, and he

2 R

300

THE CAXADIAX GinL.

^'!

would instantly remedy the grievance. But lio truslod
thoy would have nothing to complain of.

The battered Fearless was now put forward toward a
bay on the British side of the lake, where it was to be
thoroughly repaired, ana victualled if possible. The
place was distant about a few hours sail from the Sugar-
loaf country, but the Pirate resolved not to approach
before nightfall, for many prudent reasons. On the
way to the bay he spoke apart to Clinton, who stood on
deck wrapped in peculiar meditations.

" Well, Nicholas," said he, " we fought them gal-
lantly, did we not ?" , ^ ^ ,,

** You were a perfect giant among heroes, my dear
sir," said Clinton, with an attempt at his wonted gaiety.
" But the sight was shocking, after all, even setting
on one side the terrible explosion."

" I thought nothing of the shockingness of it," said
the Pirate, " while I was in the heat of the thing. My
blood was on fire, and I dare say I fought like a very
bom fiend."

" I know that I did, as far as my strength would go,"
said Clinton. " There is something wonderfully intoxi-
cating in * the grappling vigour and rough frown of

war.» "
«Ah!

Nicholas — Nicholas! when I saw ray men
fighting for mere brutality's sake, for mere vengeance
and thirst for blood, just before the steamer blew up, I
felt what a villain I was. The thought that I was their
leader — theirs, even at a moment so dreadful — sickened
me of myself ! I have yet a little conscience left — I am
glad that I feel it stirring ! It shall have a free voice
henceforward to say what rough things to me it pleasei).

.11

Tiin c\N\D]A\ ninL.

301

T liave done with piracy after this day. My heart will
let mo remain in this cursed profession no longer. Ah,
Jane I this day over and your father is no longer a
Pirate. Bless her !» ,^ - ,

" Father, explain yourself.** '• ,

" I will, my son, to yoK, without reserve. To go back
a few years, you remember the mutiny on board the
Antelope, poor old Barry's vessel ?"

*' Certainly," answered Clinton, experiencing a shock
at this abrupt mention of an event in which he supposed
his father seriously implicated.

** I see you still think me the murderer of Captain
Barry."

" I should be glad to believe you were not," said
Clinton.

" Believe so then — for I certainly was notl" said the
Pirate, with an air of haughty truth. The face of Clinton
lighted up— then doubt shaded it again.

« But did I not see—"

*' You saw nothing," said the Pirate, interrupting his
son, ** of the astual occurrences until the last moments
of the old man's life. You then saw him dying on deck,
and me standing side by side with his murderer. That
is all your memory can furnish you with that bears
against me." •-•:>.

" Not all, I think, father," said Clinton ; " unfortu-
nately, J lu were one of those who exposed the passen-
gers in an open boat, and you shared the — shall I use
an unvarnished expression — the plunder of the murdered
Captain's ship.'*

" You forget that it was I who prevailed on the mu-
tineers to spare your lives by placini^ you in the icily-

30S

TUB CANADrAN OIRL.

(

A i:

Ijoat, in which you sailed to the shore of St. Lawrence!
I will tell you what part I played in that dark affair, and
pray listen to me with belief, and du not think me more
guilty than I say. The second mate of the ship often
hinted darkly to mo that something important was me*
ditated by the crew, in which they desired me to take an
active part. At first I would not attend to his ambiguous
phrases, but when he flattered my pride by telling mo
broadly that without me their schemes could not succeed,
I listened. On my soul, my son, nothing was said of an
intention against Barry's life, or I should, in spite of my
cuned pride, my evil genius, have renounced the affair
I know. Nothing wat.^ said either of seizing Barry's ship
and the passengers goods, or Ma/, too, would have
warned me off* from the affair. The plan proposed to
me was simply a very profitable smuggling concern to be
carried on between British America and the United
States. I was to have sole command and direction of
the party, and my informant was to advance money to
purchase a vessel fit for the purpose. Giving me the
command was the bait by which I was drawn into the
conspiracy, but the true nature of it I did not learn
until it broke upon me in the mutiny. My tempter,
the second mate, h^d pretended to inform Barry of the
projects of the crew, and gave up all t'iieir names, mine
standing at the head ; he being in the Captain's confi-
dence, therefore, had more opportunities for furthering
the objects of his fellow plotters. 1 was, like yourself,
called on deck by the cries of Barry ; he expired before
me, pierced with a dozen wounds. The trembling j)as-
sengers stood by bound, expecting the same fate. You,
as soon as you appeared from below, were tied with the

>i'

TUB CANADIAN GIRL.

800

rest. I stood passive among the mutineers ; had I op-
posed them, you must all have perished ; my single arm
could have done you little good against their numbers,
they would have sent us all into the next world without
scruple. No — I knew better than to incur that fearful
hazard. I called the second mate, the ringleader of the
uproar, on one side the gangway, and offered to take the
command of the band, as he had proposed, with this pro-
viso, that there should be no more lives taken, except in
self-defence — that the passengers should be given a boat
and some provisions, and be allowed a chance to make
their way to the shore. He proposed this to the crew,
and they agreed to give me full power as their leader,
their first act of subordination being a consent to my re-
quest in favour of the passengen, by which I unknow-
ingly saved my son."

** And the smuggling expedition?*'

" Was a mere pretence — piracy was the real object in
view," returned his father; "but, as I told you, I did
not know that at first ; and, bad as smuggling is, piracy
you must recollect is much worse."

*' But did I not hear the expiring Captain say, * And
you, Anderson — could I have expected this from
yoM.?"' . ..u<, .

" I have explained, Nicholas ; my name was at the
head of the list of mutineers which the second mate
showed him with pretended fidelity; he therefore looked
on me as one of his murderers, though really I had no
hand in it. — Do you not understand me?" ;

" Perfectly now, mydeg,r sir, perfectly," said Clinton,
reaching out his hand to his father.

* I take li,'' said the Pirate, " but I would not do

\\[

TUB CANADIAN OIRL.

Bu if 1 thought that you now judged^ it to have been
guilty of the blood of Captain Barry."

** I do not/' said Clinton, decisively ; they then
paced the gangway arm in arm, still in earnest talk.

" You should rest with that wound of yours, my dear
sir ; you will irritate it by moving about, I am afraid,"
said Clinton, presently stopping on the quarter-deck.

" No, no, it is nothing of any consequence," said tho
Pirate, with carelessness, but at the same time ho
slackened his stej)s, and leaned heavier on his son's arm.
" Where are you going, Toby 1" the old man was pas-
sing hastily acoss the deck from the head of the com-
panion way, with a towel hangi**? from his arm, and a
pair of forceps in his hand.

" Only to find the steward, sir," answered Ilaverstraw,
meaning the man who now managed the affairs of tho
larder under Deborah, lor it was a favourite habit of the
old sailor's to disperse among the crew the titles usual
on a regular, first-rate ship, though the privateers were
not a little prejudiced against regular ship titles, and dis-
claimed all gradation of ranks among themselves ; " I
want some things for the sick-ward which he has stowed
away somewhere or other. If it please you. Captain,
you should not, by any manner of means, be walking
here with that gunshot- wound in your side. You had
better take my word as a humble caution, Captain,
and go and lie down."

" Sol have been telling him," said Clinton; " but
he is not to be persuaded."

♦* Psha ! go and lie down for a trifling accident like
this !— not I— not I !" ' '

" You had better, Captain," repeated Haveratraw j

TUB CANADIAN (HKL,

311

(en

Ion

par

" many^ the wownd, as trifling as yours, whicli I have
8oen carry ofT a tall, strong fellow, only becaiiso ho
wouldnU tako advice, keep •till, and leave ofT liquors and
strong victuals."

♦* Well, well, I shall keep off liquors,'' said the Pi-
rate, smiling, '* and perhaps live on barley-water, and
chicken-broth, during your pleasure, Toby ; but as fur
keeping still, that I would not do for any bullet short of
a twelve-pounder. So go along to your sick patients,
and let me alone to get strong again in this fresh
breeze." -i .-'

Haverstraw shook his head, and Clinton saw by his
look that he feared the consequences would be more
serious than his father suspected. ..;

" I heartily wish that, if only for my sake and my
sister*s, you would yield to this old sailor^s advice," urged
Clinton,

° ** Nonsense, my son ! I scarcely feel the hurt at all,"
returned the Pirate, rather impatiently, sitting down by
the helm, and casting his glance out over the lake to-
ward the line of blue landscape in the distance, which
marked the American shore.

" Nicholas," he resumed, with an appearance of dis-
quietude, " I wish you to know why I have persisted in
remaining with these privateers, contrary to your sister's
anxious and oft-repeated wishes. I durst not tell her,
for it would break her soft and tender heart ; I now teL
you, you are firmer minded. — I am conscious that I have
justly forfeited my life, and it has been my determination
all along to yield myself up to justice when I left thia
band. But lately I have quailed in my resolution-— I
cannot bear to leave you and Jenny for ever 1"

'«'

I •!

r it
I

.1, i

013

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

" Leave us ! no, I hope you will not for another mo-
ment contemplate such a thing !^* exclaimed Clinton.
" Why should you surrender? You have shown me
the murder was not your act, and that you were deceived
into joining the mutiny."

" True — true, my dear son ; I am glad to see you
understand the true nature of that transaction at last.
But you forget that I have been now many years a
Pirate-chief, and must have shared in many robberies.
My life is, I repeat, justly forfeit, and it should be given
up, were It not for — but this is idle now. I have settled
to live as long as I can with my children, and for them.
Now the money I told you I had received to-day from
this Earl on board, will enable me to take Jenny to the
ruined fort I spoke of, and to provide us with a few
rough pieces of household goods. You must hunt for
our table, and old Toby, who is going with us, will buy
us from time to time what we need from the nearest
village, and fish for us."

Clinton listened to the Pirate's scheme with all at-
tention, and said nothing either against or for it, only
with his silence he seemed to acquiesce.

" Let us go down and see if Toby needs our assis-
tance," said the Pirate, after a brief and thoughtful
pause of silence.

A number of persons were in the large room which
they entered,' and a confused noise of rough voices sub-
sided at the first glimpse caught of the Captain's noble
ngure, which was closely followed by the slighter, and
perhaps more strikingly graceful one of his son.

" Much obliged to you, young gentleman — you kept
your word to us gallantly," said ont of the Pirate's «r,o»,

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

31S

who now lay grroaning on a deal-table, with one of his
arms terribly fractured from the wrist to the shoulder,
and with a broken ancle.

Clinton looked about, and recognised in him the in-
dividual who had on a previous occasion sought to make
him a mate to his father.

" This is no joke — how was it done?" he inquired,
jroinn- near to the wounded man.

" With the back of a hatchet," replied the daring
follow, in a lively accent, " as I was trying to keep off
the sharks who boarded us. But what does it matter !
— Hurrah for the brave buccaneers ! — no quarter to the
!aw-bullies ! — Hurrah — hurrah ! Victory — victory !'*

His shout was echoed by his suffering companions
Avlth desperate hardihood, and the wounded prisoners,
who were in the same room, looked at each other with
silent rage, or affected contempt.

*' Silence !" exclaimed the commanding voice of the
Pirate, and his influence over his men being fully res-
tored, there was instantly a bush so complete that
nothing could be heard, but the hard breathing of iliose
in pain, for some minutes. A number of hammock-ma^-
trasses spread on the floor were occupied by the sufferers,
the prisoners intermixed with Iheir captors ; between
these there was an unceasing bye-play of looks and ges-
tures of haie and defiaricc.

" Toby, let our men be separated from the prisoners
as soon as you can," said fl'e Pirate, observing the
mixture.

'• Aye, sir, but there is much to do first Harry LocK-
swain and I v.ill not be able to doctor them all for many
«hour to come jet. I am not so han''y at the bandag

2 a

I) I

111

314

THK CAXADIAN GIRL.

as 1 M»Q<] to he when I was younger. T!ie ladies are
scraping lint, and cutting up old linen, to he sure, that
is a great helj). Here comes Miss Jenny — bless her
dear heart !" He went to the door.

** Now, Toby, here is a large supply of lint, not a grain
of cotton in it," said Jane, standing outside.

" You have been very quick, my dear Miss Jenny."

" So I should be," she returned, " for I have many
assistants. Lady Hester, as I think my brother named
that beautiful young lady, the widow, has set herself,
her sister, and Miss Gresham, the governess, at the
scraping, leaving nic and Deborah to execute all your
other commands."

" I love to see the young quick to help them that are
ID pain," said the old man. " We shall get on now.
Captain, as we have plenty of needful articles, thanks
to the ladies. Run away, Miss Jenny, if you please,
and get ready the poultices, as I told you. I ni'jstbind
up Gilpin^s starboard-arm, and tiiat will be no sight for

you*"

" Who is going to assist you ?" asked Jane. ,, .,\;,.

" That is what I want to know," said Haverstraw,
looking into the room, his eyes shaded with his hand.
** Harry, our skipper-doctor, is trying to set to rights a
steamer-man's wownds, which are in bad condition, and
all our helpers are about him. Harry," he raised his voice
so as to make himself heard at the extreme end of the
room, where a group were gathered kneeling and
stooping around a man who lay on a mattrass, *' can
jfou spare me a couple of sailors to help me out with a
troublesome job here ?"

** No/' answered the surgeon ; " my patient ia.in a

;■} ■.

.TI". CAN-

t s-^'

»»

aa swoon, anil I have enough for us all to do hmtri t

oniise vou." .. . , .

• ..'-til

*' Let nie help yoii, Tohy,'* said the Pirate.

" And I can h«ild the light," said Clinton.

" So he it," cried Haverstraw ; " hut now we want
some one to (;a in and out from the ladies* cahin for the
articles we may require."

" Cannot I hring them in before you begin t" asked
Jane.

<< Why I am not sure I can think of all till I find the
need of them," said the cautious old man.

"Then I will wait outside the door," cried Jane;
*' and when you want any thing raise your voice ever so
little I shall be sure to hear you."

" That 18 a girl worth the name," said Haverstraw,
raising his glistening eye to meet that of Clinton, ai
Jane shut the door after her : there was no pretence In
the mariner^s admiration, for he really did believe the
Captain's daughter without an equal any where,

" My ancle first, Toby — do that up first," said Gilpin ;
** let me have the worst job last. Come, don't let your
rid hand shake about it; touch it firmly, and make
haste, for this arm gives me confounded twinges."

The broken joint was skilfully set, and firmly bound.

** Now for your arm, Gilpin," said Haverstraw.
** Hold the light steadily here, Mr. Nicholas. Be no
good as to put your hand under the shoulder m this
fashion. Captain."

" I am sorry to say I must give up my post— -I feel
worse than I did," said the Pirate, rather faintly, puttinfi^
bis hand to his side. " I^ think the blood has broken
through again."

■fVi-o r, lyi-

v,<,v--rr ■

■ '■iir

• i

1 ' ;

'■ ■■ ■'■

(

* (

r ! I

8)6

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

" Help him to his hammock directly, sir," said Ha-
verstraw to Clinton. " Gilpin, you will take no harm
lying stilt a few minutes, while I go and give a look at
the Captain's side."

" No — not I. Away with you, and stop as long as
you will," cried the iron-nerved privateer, swallowing
by main force the groans which tortured nature wrung
from him.

A considerable quantity of blood had escaped from
the Pirate's wound ; it was speedily stopped, however,
by the skilful hand of Haverstraw, and rebound with
more care.

*' I hope, sir, you will now be persuaded to lie awhile,"
said the latter earnestly. -..^ ,„...., ^ w,. ^

' '■■ ** Why, yes, this loss of blood has a little tamed me
Toby ; I shall certainly remun here a few minutes at

least." i ■■■■ - ' ' I : ' "" ' '•"

' "A few hours, or a few days, would be better, sir,"
said the old mariner, dropping the canvass-screen of the
hammock. " Mr. Clinton, you will go back with me
to hold the arm ?"

" Yes, certainly," said the latter, as they shut Haver-
straw's cabin door outside, leaving the Pirate to a fever-
ish and painful state of forced quiet.

The mind of Clinton was by this time highly fevered,
and during the sickening operation of which h6 was a
witness, his thoughts ran over the events in which he
had been lately engaged, with confused excitement.
The actual presence of Lady Hester in the pirate-vessel
Le could hardly realise — again and again he was aston-
WRsd that he should have found her here. " A destinv
•eemed casting them in each other's way. He had {MrteU

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

317

from her, as he thought, for ever — ^then she was a wife i
now she was free — free to marry again, without any re-
straint upon her choice. Who could tell what might
happen now in his favour 1

" Keep your hand steady, if you please, sir," cried
Haverstraw. Clinton^s eyes were dancing ; he did con-
trive to steady his hand, but his head and his heart were
beyond his management. * *

" You may go now, sir, I see it is too much for you,"
said Haverstraw ; " I can manage very well to do the

rest

»»

.«;_* ...

Clinton would have been glad to have been discharged^
but, when the aged sailor came to the sewing on of the
bandages, he found that his sight was too defective for
that part of his task, and the motions of the needle
proved uncertain under the guidance of his hard fingers.
Clinton attempted the office, but was so entirely unprac-
tised in the use of the implement he held, and the heat
of his feelings caused such a nervous shaking through-
out his frame, that his success was hardly greater. Gilpin
was impatient of their attempts, and declared that he
had felt the point of the needle more than once. By this
time he was growing faint. Clinton stepped outside
to take some thread from Jane, and told her of the
trifling dilemma. She timidly offered tp do what was
requured. ' * .

*' The table on which Toby has placed Gilpin is in
the nearest corner of the room," said she; " I should
only be engaged a i^ew minutes, and hardly be seen."

He refused ; he did not like her to enter. But after
a moment's thought, he said, " You shall do it if you
6tn. i admire in you the noble feeling which prompts

818

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

you now to rlsesuperioi to false AeWcacy. Yen, yousfialt
do it."

The door was close by the foot of the table, and,
scarcely noticed by the men who lay on the floor, Jane
stepped round between the wall and Gilpin, without
once glancing at any object but the half-bound arm im-
mediately before her, in the wrappings of which Toby
had just fastened a successful stitch. '■>••"-> ■"■ ' '<;"

" That was well done," cried the patient ; ** I could
hardly have done it better with my right hand — and who
doesn't know that Jack Gilpin is the best taiW, as well
as the best sailor, on board the Fearless buccaneer*ship,
always excepting the Captain and his lieutenant who
are the best s:jlors in the world, look for 'era where you
will. Toby, yoa like to be called lieutenant, don*t you,
old fellow ?"

Here Haverstraw put his hand to his white forelocks,
and made a slight movement of respect, and surprise,
perceiving Jane by the table. Gilpin, also surprised,
was instantly silent. The Captain's daughter had usually
confined herself very closely to her cabin, and surely,
thought he, this room at present was little suited to
attract a timid and delicate female. Still more was he
surprised when Clinton told Haverstraw that his sister
would take the needle from him, if he would direct her
where to use it, as women's hands were more pliable
for that sort of work than either of theirs. "^' .

While the delicate fingers of Jane were carefully pas-
sing the requsite stitches along the unscientific, although
cleverly arranged bandages, Haverstraw, with an ad-
miring and affectionate smile, leaned over her stooping
head, and pointed out with his finajer those edges of t«e

TtfB CANADIAN OIRL.

3l!f

itit

Irnen which he wished to be secured. Ch'nton stood
behind her, shelter! no; her from the gaze of the seamfin
who were in the other parts of the room; his hea>t
warmed with brotherly pride when contemplating the
bashful Jane thus conquering her natural retiringness
to minister to the suffering man. Gilpin'i. smothered
groans of pain called tears of pity into her mild grey
eyes. He, himself, eyed her compassionate countenance
with mingled curiosity, gratitude, and respect. He was
just thirty years of age, a native of New York ; he had
been respectably brought up, but had fallen into a pro-
fligate way of life, and deserted his parents and his
home. As he gazed on the gentle girl before him,
her touching intrepidity in cheerfully undertaking her
present task (slight as it would have been under ordi-
nary circumstances,) and the soft kindness of her modest
deportment, all at once pierced the gross film which
covered the eyes of his mind, with a light that haa
never beamed through it since he had been a stripling;
for the moment he forsook his favourite maxim, " that
all women were either pretty puppets, horrid shrews,
fools, or rakes ;" an indefinable notion of female ex<*
cellence floated about his fancy, and, from that period,
a deep respect for Jane Anderson took root in his other-
wise depraved mind.

•* Now I must positively take you away," said Clin-
ton to his sister, when the last bandage had been fastened
on the fractured arm ; *' you have borne the sight won-
derfully."

Gilpin followed her with his eyes to the door, and
rouied himself from his faintness. i" Toby," said he,
when she had disappeared with her brother, trying to

II I

1 1

'\ 'I

I '

■ 'i ! ■ !

I !

3?(»

TTIB CAVAniAN GIRL.

raiso liimsplf upon the tatile on his eft eloow, " how
confoiindpdlv mistikcn I have been about Miss An-
derson all along! I had no sort of idea 'hat she was
jivetty, hut may I nevi'r handle a rope, or trim a sail
i more, if she is not a 'y'\r\ fit to be the daughter of old
Jupiter, who my schooimaster used to spin long yarns
about when I was a boy. What dost say^ grey-head,
doctor, lieutenant, is she not a fine wench, eh ?"

" Grey hairs are a lionour to a man if he doesn't
wilfully disgrace 'em," said Haverstraw, seriously ;
" doctor I am none, Gilpin ; I picked up all I know of
sargery from the practicers aboard the raan-o'-war where
I lamed my sea craft. They were practicers — they were
sargens, I can tell you !"

" And a good one they have made of you, many
thanks to them !'* exclaimed Gilpin.

" Why, I had a considerfible hankering toward the
sargical art once, a long time back,'* said Haverstraw,
with a slight sigh, as his thoughts glanced one passing
moment to his younger days, " and the ship-doctors
seeing me a little handy in the jick wards, put me for-
rard there in war time." '

" But what is your opinion of Miss Anderson ?" re-
peated the impatient Gilpin, after a heavy groan ; "you
are always particularly shy of speaking about her."

" To my mind she is as nice a little girl as ever the
eyes of man seed, " said Haverstraw ; " I love her as
much as if she was my own flesh and blood. I knew her
poor mother; Miss has just her amibleness, only sho is
a trifle braver-hearted. Mow lie you still, and T will mix
you a cooling drink that will send you to sleep, and then
1 hope you will do well." .

THE CAS'ADIAX «31RL

c^i

^^ Whlie Haverstraw had been speaking, hoha<I propped
Gil})in'8 head and shoulders with pillows on the table,
and had covered him with a blanket. He now gathered
up the articles he had used in the operation, and was
leaving the room, when he looked back and said —

" Don't you forget, Mr. Gilpin, to thank Providence
that you have weathered this hard gale as well as you
have. Either of the blows you have had might have
sent you into etarnity.'*

** None of your preaching, old gentleman !" ex*
claimed Gilpin; " I understand all that sort of thing ;
I tell you it is not a little will kill me — and so hurrah
for the buccaneers ! — death to the law bullies all the
world over ! — ^hurrah, hurrah !"

His shout, as before, was echoed by the other pri-
vateers present, and again the wounded p.'isoners looked
unutterable rage. One covered his head with his
blanket, permitting only his menacing eyes to appear ;
another half arose from his mattrass, and shook his cut-
lass at the insulti tg foes ; a third threw a poker, which
he had seized from the fireplace by which he lay, at
Gilpin, but it fell short of its aim* it was in vain Ha-
verstraw endeavoured to restore order, until the regular
surgeon, joining him with his assistants, they removed
the prisoners to a separate cabin, and thus effected their
object.

Qilpin fell asleep under the influence of a strbhg
sleeping draught, and his dreams of pain were bright-
ened by the meek face of Miss Anderson, gazing on him
with the compassion of a ministering angel, while she
whispered words of pity in his ear in the softest tones

imaginable.

2 T

922

TUB CANADIAN OIRL.

Clinton and Jane had looked into Haverstraw^s ribin,
irnere the Pirate was while his own was occupied hy tl;*
strangers, and finding him in a tranquil slumber, re-
turned together to the society of the Earl and the ladies.
The Earl was looking out of the cabin windows with
uneasiness at the increasing swell of the waves, and cal-
culating how long it would be before he should be alle
to return to the Niagara district, complaining all the
while of the folly and danger of useless travelling, and
wishing ovfi^ and over that he had never left Toronto,
except to return to England. Lady Hester, Miss Gre-
sham, and Letitia, were seated at a mahogany tabl^
spread with salves, fragments of linen, sewing utensils,
and other things required for the wounded.

" Are you ready to take the poultice. Miss Anderson ?*'
asked Lady Hester, who had not observed Clinton enter,
and was busily stirring linseed in a coarse brown pan,
her sleeves pushed up on her white arms.

Jane replied in the affirmative, and received the pre-
paration from Lady Hester. The latter just then raised
her brilliant eyes, which instantly sankbelbre the ardent
gaze of Clinton.

" Lady Hester is not too proud for deeds of charity,'*
he ejaculated, in a low, penetrating tone; ijhe turned
from him with an indication of displeasure. _ ...

" If you please,, sir, will it be long before we reach
the shore?" asked Letitia, and the question relieved
the awkward silence that prevailed.

" By evening, it was intended, I believe,, that we
should get into harbour," replied Clinton ; ** but if it
be a little later, I hope you will not feel afraid,"

" It will be midnight before we shall get in," sud

THI OANADIilf OIRL.

893

fhd Ear1| turning from the windovr, " if the ship moves
oa at its present slow pace. The wind seems to me to
be growing high, young sir— is it not so V*

** I am no seaman, Lord Wilton," said Clinton,
checking the EarPs air of superiority by his dignified
manner, " and I have not particularly observed the
weather during the last hour or two The ship certainly
■eems to ride roughly now."

He took hold of the back of a chair as he spoke, to
steady himself, for the Fearless was now beginning to
rock on asurfy swell, articles vere knocking about the
cabins, and presently nothing could be kept in its place
that was not fastened.

The Earl became more and more ill-humoured ; in the
multiplicity of affairs that to-day had pressed on Jane
and Deborah, he and the ladies had had to put up with
a mere apology for a dinner, in the shape of hastily-
dressed fish and salted mutton, and the Earl being some-
thing of an epicure, this had not tended to sweeten his
temper. AH the drawing-!\)om luxuries of an afternoon
on terra firma, floated before his eye with tantalising
minuteness, while the ship continued to toss, and he to
be annoyed with the most unendurable sensations about
the region of the stomach.

He had gone on deck, and Lady Hester had planted
herself on the sofa, when Clinton, with seeming uncon-
sciousness, threw himself in a chair by her side. He
longed to make some allusion to the Colonel's death, but
scarcely knew how to do it. At length he said, in that
subdued and thrillingly tender tone, which was so we12
known and so feared by Lady Hester —

'* The steamer received a communication firom Torontd

III

834

TUB CANADIAN OIRL.

while I was in it, and then I learnt of thb great aflliction
you had sustained. I little thought, wh n I saw you
last on Toronto-cliffs, Lady Hester, that yv u were fated
to endure so much sorrow.'*

l^Iis eyes were turned upon her beaming with the
feelings which found no other vent ; he thought that
she had never looked so surpassingly lovely as now ;
her widow's cap, her plain hair, and deep mourning-
dress, rather, in his partial opinion, increased than di-
minished her beauty, adding to them the master charm
of a sentiment. . ,; - -.»•, * '. »i. .' ■ r . /•• . j: i .. . > •

*' And I," said Lady Hester, replying to his speech
with great coldness, *< never dreamt of finding Mr.
Clinton deliberately treacherous to persons who relied
on his honour.'*

She paused in pity for the feelings of Jane, who stood
near, and on whose cheek the blood mantled high, as it
did also on Clinton'ct.

*' Treacherous, Lady Hester 1'* echoed the latter.

** Yes, I spoke the word distinctly, and I repeat it^
treacherous to those who relied on your honour."

** Madam, you are not aware that it was after I had
engaged with his Excellency, the Governor, that I was
recognised by my father." ■ ,,

, ** Oh yes, I am perfectly aware.*'

** And would it have been natural, would it have been
kind, to assist my father's enemies to destroy him ?"

** It would have been strictly right,*^ rejoined Lady
Hester, with more spirit than she was conscious of, " if
you went at all with those enemies, for you had positively
pledged your word to them to assist them, not to cir-
cumvent them. A person's word, sir, should be of sonio

I %

THB CANADIAN OIKL.

326

little value, I think. I forget nothing that I have heard ;
you had quite time to release yourself from your en-
gagement with the Governor, so as to prevent the diigraos
which in my opinion you have incurred. Letitia, my
clear, hand me your penknife, I dare say the old sailor
has not quite finished."

She commer: cd scraping linen on her knee yery
industriously, while a bright spot of crimson burnt on her
cheek. Clinton vras at once chagrined, humbled, and
flattered. He felt convinced that her displeasure would
have been less evident, had her interest in him been less
lively. Under this impression, he could not restrain
himself within the bounds of prudence, but, bending bis
head nearer to her, whispered in trembling tones, modu-
lated to the most expressive sweetness —

'* Can it be., that Lady Hester has still the remotest
regard for my reputation t" ' •

" Mr. Clinton !*' exclaimed the lady, turning u]X)n
him her front face, which was animated by haughty
resentment, " sir !"

These three words almost annihilated Clinton. Down
fell all his towering hopes, more suddenly than they
arose ! Lady Cleveland observed his consternation, the
sudden change in his countenance alarmed her, and, so
variable is the heart, half repented of her severity.

** Mr. Clinton — or Mr. Anderson," said she presently,
m quite another key, and with quite another manner,
smiling in her fascinating way, but hardly knowing what
she was saying, " donH you think Letitia and I shall be
thought marvellous lions when we get back to London,
having passed through so many adventures in this
quarter of the world ]"

326

THS CANADIAN qiflL.

G1inton*s manner was as much changed as Ladjf
Cleveland's; he assumed a distant pleasantry.

** In that case, madam/' said he, "your ladyships
vfi\] almost have been seeking * the bubble reputation in
the cannon's mouth.' I am sorry, for my part, that
your quali&catlons for lionising should have been so ex-
pensively purchased, and I heartily wish you no more
adventures of the sort you have had lately. As to my
name," he added, with a perfect nonchalance that Jane
wondered to see, " I do not renounce my former ones,
I only add ascther to them— Nicholas Clinton Anderson
are the cognoraeno to which I now lay claim.''

Little could the superficial eye hare seen of the keen
pain with which Clinton referred to his relationship to
the Pirate, nor the noble impulse which made him dis-
dain to seem to shrink in the least from the subject.
But the eye of love is never superficial, & :J both Jane
and Lady Hester understood his true feelings. He, also,
gifted with the same magical quality uf vision, saw him-
self appreciated, and loved both his sister and the iair
widow more than ever.'

" The loss of life was veiy considerable last night, I
fei;r," said Lady Cleveland, fidteringly.

" Very, indeed," was Clinton's shuddering response;
** more than one half of the persons on board the steamer,
and at least a third of the crew of this vessel, were killed
in the fight and explosion, and by far the larger number
of the survivors are more or less injured."

" Melancholy !" exclaimed Lady Cleveland ; *' this
event will very much increase the public prejudice in
Canada against your father, Mr. Clinton."

, * I hope not," said Clinton, meeting Jane's eye.

niB CAMiDIAN GIRL.

. « Well, sir,*- said Lady Hester, sinking her voice a
little, " if you ever need a friend for him apply to me;
though I shouH be on the other side of the Atlantic I
will net £iil to answer the appeal, litat isi, I will nnder*
take the Earl shall ansvtrer it'^. bu /f! . i t

" if he be taken^Lady Hietter^ I will remember thb
promise,'* said Clinton, with difficulty repressing the
warm expressions of gratitude whidb crowded to his lips.
Here Deborah sntdred, bearing two shining and tall
brass candlesticks, which she placed on the table; and,
while lighting the wicks of the candles, she cast sundry
glances at Jane, which' brought the latter to her side.

**Misthrfi8Sidear, tiiereUl be sometbin more bad in-
tirely happen the day if ye doii't prevint. Och ! bad
luck to the wicked Pirit», saivmiyour prisinee, honey
dear, they're a bad set, out and out."

" Hush, Deboraihi" whispered Jane; " d6nH let the
ladies be more ahriped than is necessary ; go outside, I
will come to you in a minute, as soon as 1 can do so
without being noticed." ■> /.liti'ijs "vi-jOfii./H? *

J^uie tried to aUract Clinton's eye, and/ succeeding^,
pointed aside with her finger to the door, and went out;
presently Clinton made a slight excuse and also left the
cabin.

But Lady Cleveland was on the wbteh, and observed
every thing that passed with anxiety, if not with fear,
as might well be, now she was aware of the character of
^r ship.

She kept her ear and eye fastened on the door with
fluctuating feelings, while Letitia, released from the re-
•traint imposed by the presence of strangers, asked niaoy
questions, which her sister mechanically answered.

328

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

■»• I

i \

The child's lively eye first passed round the well-
furnished cabin, the comfortable carpet, the water-colour
paintings of lake scenes on the walls, varnished with the
resin extracted from the balsam-t{ae, the glowing fire
made up of larch-wood and coU^ tbe pipe which con-
ducted the smoke through the ceiling, the siu boards set
out with curious shells, water-weeds, and other nic-nacs,
the handsome tables fastened to the floor, an elegant
olock, a barometer, and thermometer (which had been
part of the plunder of an European vessel), a colossal
pair of brass compasses hung up on the wall, and the
admirable model of a line of battle-ship hung in the
centre of the ceiling, these by turns exci%l her
curiosity.

" Sistei^j" she suddenly observed, " I don't under-
stand what necessity in general there can be for so many
guns about this ship, unless it were a m<in-of-war, which
I am certain it is not And do you know, I heard one
sailor, speaking to another this morning, call him a
** buccaneer ;" and that, my governess says, means a
privateer of America, that is, a pii'ate, and ? pirate you
told me, was a robber on the seas : it would be a very
odd thing if the sailors here were all robbers, would it
not, sister?"

" Nonsense Letty,* you must tako no notice of what
the sailors say to each other." j

" I do not know whether your ladyship has observed
any thing peculiar," remarked the governess, addressing
Lady Cleveland, '^ but I have noticed many suspirious
circumstances myself, which appear to me to strengthen
Ijady Letitia s idea ;" and Mm Gresham, who numbered
between thirty and forty years, and had about her p11 the

THB CANAIIAN GIRL.

329

•flbctation of ultra-i&finerneut, looked frightened ib the
extreme. ♦* Really, the bare thought is shocking I—
i feel greatly excited ! To read of bandits and pirates
and all those sort of persons in books, whencne is safely
and quietly at home, is exceedingly pleasant ; but to be
actually within their reach is altogether a different affair.
1 think, if I may judge by your ladyship's countenance,
that you know there are grounds for our apprehensions.
Keally, I tremble all over ! — I am ready to fairtt P'

" Pray don't, for I left my salts in the water last
evening," said Lady Hester, sarcastically. The gover-
ness coloured, and Lady Hester repented.

« What description of ene yon suppose they

were who fought against the crew, last night. Miss Gre-
sham?" asked Lady Cleveland.

" I could not imagine," answered the Governess ;
" your ladyship, whe.j I remarked to you at the con-
cUision of the alarming encounter how singular it was
that a peaceful trading vessel should be thus attack ed»
said, if you recollect, that you had learnt they were per*
sonal foes of the Captain. Several times I should have
expressed my suspicions to you had I not perceived that
your ladyship's manner indicated a wish for my silence
u;ion the topic; the presence of Miss Anderson, too, has
checked me more than once.*'

*' If you will try to govern your apprehension a little,
my dear Miss Greshim, I v/ill tell you plainly wh.it I
have learned. The great defect in your character, per-
mit me to say, as J have often in pure kindness told you
before, is the want of command over your sensibilities.
If I had let you knoivn) as soon as I had discovered tH
tRCt, that we we^e at che mercy of a set of men who

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'ill!

33a

TUB CANADIAN iIIRL.

defied all law but their own turbulent and misguided
wills — pirates, in short — you would have been fainting
or dying all this day. Fortitude, and self-command,
my dear lady, should be your aim ; with your learning
and amiable qualities, they might be well combined."

" Your ladyship is perfectly right, I am weak in mind,
very," said the governess ; " but you will allow me to
remark, that that weakness is in a great degree constitu-
tional, and th&refore never to be wholly overcome ; it is
ii disease deeply rooted in my whole system, and per-
haps you, who are naturally so firm-minded, can hardly
appreciate the great difficulty with which the least portion
of it is dislodged." .

" Perhaps I cannot," said Lady Hester, ingenuously ;
" I acknowledge that constitution solves many riddles^
and this among the number. Many of my own vices,
(I will not say fcibles, or faults, though these words
please one better when speaking of self) I trace to the
same source. It will be well for us both, however, if we
can refrain from becoming contented with our bleinishes,
after we have ascribed them to human nature. When
we have discovered a bodily disease in ourselves, we are
>ot satisfied with saying " it is constitutional," but we
send for a physician, and take all the remedies with which
science can furnish us : so should we act with resrard to
our mor.al diseases. There is a Physician, Miss Gresham,
and there are remedies, I believe ' safe and sure ones,'
to be had, if we choose to make use of them."

" Speaking of this Captain Anderson," said the go-
verness, presently, " he IS a remarkable figure — a perfect
Hercules — does not your lad ship think so ?"

Just then the door opened, and the indiviidual of whom

** ^

THE CANADIAN OtRL

331

lihe ipolie, entered, bowing to Lady Cleveland with the
lofty dignity peculiar to him ; and the latter, a? she
returned the courteous movement, could not refrain from
scanning, with a critical eye, the remarkable proportions
to which the governess had referred so admiringly.

" I hope you have not felt much inconvenience, lady,
from the swell this afternoon,'^ said he; and Lady
Hester remarked tr> herself that his voice, though it had
more volume, was almost as rich and flexible as his

son's.

" Not much, Captain," said she, very agreeably
smiling; " the Earl has complained a Mttle, but we, of
the weaiier sex, have proved strongei" than he on this
otrasion. But I understood that you retired to bed,
Cant^in Anderson, ill, with the wound you received
last night." • •'■■*"'M • '. ' .... ... ™;.

*' I did. Madam, and have just risen. I should have
romaiued in my hammock, I believe, for the next dozen
hours without stirring, had I not been anxious for your
handing."

" 1 thank you, Captain, on behalf of myself and
friends, most sincerely ; and you cannot wonder if, under
existing circumstances," (she laid a stress on the words
that convinced the Pirate she was acquainted with his
profession) " we are anxious to land."

" In a quarter of an hour you will do so," said the
Pirate ; " it is to tell you this that I am nowhere. Our
proposed place of anchorage is already in sight There
has been a strong wind rising lately in the right direc-
tion, and now we give our sails fair play, we shall see
the beach shingles presently." «jw-jb.

I'he tremors of the distinguished party were qmte re-

333

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

"if

lievea by this announcement, and with renewed spirits,
under the prospect of safety, they tied on their bonnets
and mantillas, in prepar? ;n for the welcome change.

The Fearless now ilevf like a winged thing over the
rough and boisterous waves, worked by the steady skill
of old Toby, who guided the helm. The decks were
clear and clean, except where skins or barrels were dis-
played, in order to make a deceptive appearance ; the
guns had been removed, and the sides of the ship ap-
peared of no more than the common height; the striped
American pennant, with a small square in one corner,
stamped with a merchantman^^ de/ice, floated from the
mast's head.

Before the Pirate had entered the cabin to acquaint
Lady Hester with the welcome fact that the harbour
was in siglit, he had held a private conversation with
Jane, Ciinton, and Deborah. It appeared that the
Iri^h girl had been in the larde^ putting away the rem-
nant of the salted muttoa, when she overheard several
of the privateers conferring together ; one said that the
Captain was a fool to think of letting the Earl and his
daughters go out of the ship vnthout paying a heavy
ransom ; another said that he had hinted to the master
what he ought to do, but the skipper was as obstinate
as ever, and threatened to hang up the fellow that should
dare to demand a single dollar from them — there was
no end to his whims ; a third observed, that he was de-
iermined not to help to run the vessel into harbour until
he had part of the cash which the gentleman and ladies
carried about their persons ; the same villain then pro-
ceeded to propose that the party should be compeiied to
pay the crew for their release. ,-, .,. }

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

333

When the Pirate had reflected a little on this rmpcirt^nt
information, he called the privateers together, and, re-
signing his post as their Captain, gave them, in con<
sideration of their renouncing their plans against the
strangers, all which belonged to him in the vessel, an
well as the vessel itself: bindincf himself bv a voluntarv^
oath to betray none of them, at any time, or under any
circumstances, and stating that it was for his children**
sake he left.

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334

TBB CANADIAN OIUm)

»i. ■ tci:t'» 't . ..I ;,i '"'1 J; '■ ,; ■ >fl'' ' •!. . .«;?-''

.. ■'.Mr ;- . cHAPTErt XX. • ■*'^" "'■'' '•'■

Again wn pmt — nj,'aiii wi- bid fnruwcll!

Ah ! wlm llic nti:;uisli of oiirsnuls can tell?

Steriil/ wn cover ('Vi'ry torturing tliroo,

And bear, with outwu.d a.iiilus, our niadduiiing woe \—&t.SennM.

The harbour was now close at hand ; the appearance
of the ship was not at all likely to excite suspicion ; all
the crew were off the decks excepting Haverstraw, who
was at the helm, Merry, who, in a clean flannel jacket,
was turning over a heap of undressed skins of different
wild animals, and Clinton, who ras walking to and (""u
on the iTfir'mvav.

' " Ajjaii) ! airain, to lose siMit of her!" muttered the
latter, movinjr quicker. " <Vlien I parted from her in
England — when I parted from her at Toronto — I did not
suffer what 1 siiffur now ! Matchless! glorious woman !
It is not her fortune that attracts me — no ! would to
heaven she were poor as I am, she should then know,
and all should know, what a passion I have for her!
But she is rich — titled — of an aiicieni and proud family
— and I must be mute !"

He listened ; it wa.s her voice he heard belov^ the
hatches ; she was spoukinj; in lively accents to her young

THK CANADIAN GIRL.

£15

sister. A heavier darkness suddenly fell on his spirit ;
if there had only been the least sadness in her voice he
would have felt soothed, so he thought ; hut there vim
not ; and he called himself by the hardest names for ever
\aving fancied that she loved him.

She came up the ladder to the deck, ])receded by her
friends. Did sl'e not purposely avoid his eye as she
stepped past him, and while she smilingly waved her
hand to the black who had assisted in saving her life,
and to Haverstraw, who had restored her sister? Yes,
she certainly did. She knew he was now standing within
a yard of her — she saw the place of landing every mo-
ment coming nearer — she heard his painful sigh. She
must be aware of what he was suffering at the near pros-
pect of this third, hopeless parting. Yet not one kind
glance did she deign to give him.

His eyes were fastened closely on her, in the forlorn
hope that he should detect at least one side look — one
stolen glance ; but now the side, now the crown, of her
crape bonnet, intervened; and the ship's anchor was
thrown and fastened, and the boat which was to convey
the strangers to the shore was lowered upon the waters,
and the last moment of Lady Hester's stay in the Fear-
less had arr!"3d, and still nought of her features could
he see.

In that moment Lucy was avenged. His culpable
trifling with her had never made her suffer more than
Lady Hester's distance of manner now made him suffer.
There was an age of misery for him in the few fleeting
minutes that preceded Lady Hester's departure. The
necessity for concealing his feelings only served to in-
ttame them ; in spite of his efforts his eyes filled with

asM

TUB CANADIAN' tilRL.

tears, and his face expressed a passionate ni<?«anc)io)v;
hit right hand, which rested on a barrel-head, was
tightly clenci>ed. His sister, who now stood behind
Lady Hester, touched it, he turned his head suddenly
towards her ; instead of speaking she gazed on his fea-
tures with alarmed affection ; he returned her kind look
with one of eloquent meaning, and then sighing ab-
ruptly, ajjain tnrnnd his liead toward Lady Hester.

TheEul htd shaken han Is w'th the Pirate, the ladder
had been lot down to the boat, and he had descended
with his vHinyest (laiiifhtor and the governess. Lady
Hester was the Ia>t to go down; her foot lingered on the
deck ; Clinton stood still in mute agony.

" I will speak to her!'* he inwardly ejaculated. *' I
will be as firm as she is — I will bill her fiirewell calmlv;"
but, when he would have said the parting word, when
he would have))ronounced her nanie, his tongue clove to'
his mouth ; an;l when he would have stepped forwards,
as his lather did, and iiave shaken hands with her, his
feet seemed rooted to the floor, and his hand to the bar-
rel head. He saw her turn to his sister; their hands
met; they drew back; the" whispered together; he
could see his sister weeping , she took something from
Lady Hester and hid it in her breast. What could it
be 1 Catching at the least shred of hope that offered
itself, he fancied it must be some parting token of love
for him; the idea electrified him; he could not hear
what they said to each othir, but he saw that both were
much affected, and he supposed it related to him. There
were no reasons for that supposition, but he clung to it
pertinaciously.

The brief illusion passed m a moment. Lady Hester

t^>

TUB CANADIAN OIRL.

t37

stepped over the ship's ed<»e on the ladcior. Hei brief
*' (iood bye, Mr. Clinton," rung like a knell on his ear.
Slin was now in the boat, and his heart sank as a stone
in his breast.

" Fool !" he ejaculated to himself, for the first time
moving from his petrified position, and gazing after the
boat. " Oh, fool, fool ! I have lost my last opportunity !
I shall see her no more !"

With this impression he rivetted his eyes on the fine
outline of her tall figure, that he might fix it in his
memory to feed upon afterwards.

The scene, also, in which he supposed himself to be
viewing her for the last time, was an object of no slight
interest, even at that agonising moment, to his highly
wrought feeiings.

The shore was distant from the Fearless about a hun-
dred yards ; the last shades of twilight, before night
set in, spread '.>e water with a tranquil sombreness, that
was not darkness, but had the solemn efiect of darkness.
To the right and to the left, the land jutted out into
the water in pale white precipices of the grandest height,
and the most romantic variety of forms ; between them
glimmered the red lights of a prosperous fishing station,
sprinkling the rising ground beyond the low, flat beach ;
and there, in the centre of the picture, close to the
beach, two blazing torches now picturesquely showed
the boat in which was the object of Clinton's idolatry.

The boat returned, and the figures of Lady Hester
and her friends were lost in the deep shadowing of the
bei(ch< Clinton had rested bpt^ his elbows on the
railing of the deck,, and) his Uoe had s^nk into his hands,
,whi)ie hiK eye still tiuned on the ^pot whefe the stTanger;i

2 X

'.I

338

TKR CANADIAN GIRL.

i' '

had disappeared. He was first roused by Jane, wWa
arm he felt tenderly gliding round his neck.

•* What is it Jane ? — what have yon to say to me V
he adiculated, with something less than liis usual soft-
ness.

*• Nicholas— <lcar Nichohis !" murmured Jane, be-
seechingly.

" Go down to your cabin, I will come and talk to
you presently — as soon as 1 am able ;" and he sighed.

*' Nicholas, I have something for you — something
Lady Cleveland left with me for you,*' Jane whispered,
with much feeling.

" For me!'* exclaimed Clinton, turning short round,
and speaking with vehemence and quickness. " What
is it? — where is it ? Give it me — quick ! Blessings on
you, dear, kind girl ! you have snatched me from the
depths of despair ['* and having grasped in his hand a
flmall square packet, which Jane put into it, he ran off
to a private place below, where he might examine it
undisturbed.

His father's sitting-room, which he entered with a
bounding step, looked somewhat melancholy without the
company which had so lately occupied it ; but he little
betxled the change, only pressed closer in his hand the
precious packet ; the door was locked behind him, and
he lighted a candle which stood on the table by thrusting
the wick into the fire.

" Now !" he ejaculated, " now for the secret on
which my fate hangs ! Does she — does she love me still 1
Love me well enough to marry me ? Well enough to
trample on the expectations of her friends?— on her
pride of birth ? Well enough to overpass the ditferenee

THB CANADIAN OIRI.,

330

which fortune has cast between us ? Now I shall see !"
Pie opened the packet; a sniaill bit of paper dropped
out on the carpet ; he hastily picked it up, and instead
of unfolding it at once, tried to conjecture, by feeling
it, wh it it contained.

" It is hard — and round," said be, with beaming
eyes: " it is — ^yes, it certainly is — a ring! a gift of
love, and she will yet be mine !*' here he ended his sus-
pense by opening the small folds of the bit uf paper, but
with strange inconsistency, paused at each fold, as if
his death-warrant was within. A glittering ring did
indeed present itself, one which Lady Hester had her-
self worn ; it was of wrought gold, set with small dia«-
monds around a motto, which he read over a bun*
dred times; it was her family motto ; yet he could not
persuade himself but that it was meant as an allusion to
his passion.—" Courage and constancy conquer fate."

He repeated the words aloud, pacing the room ; then
put the ring on his little finger, and raised it passionately
to his lips several times ; now examining the envelope
of the packet, he took from within it a note, which he
had not before observed.

Intensity of expectation by this time produced an ar-
tificial calm in his demeanour, and he sat down delibe-
rately to the perusal, first snuffing the candle with re-
markable nicety, and stirring the fire into a blaze. His
eye flew with impatience along the lines, and when
he had reached the bottom of the third page, where ap-
peared the dear-loved signature, he returned to the
commencement, and read the whole more diowly, as
follows : —

" While your father's vessel approaches the place

I'l *

540

THU CANADIAN OIRL.

where I and my friends are to land, Mr. Clinton, I seiie
the opportunity to say a word or two to you on paper.
To think you are not happy, affects me deeply — very
deeply. I will not pretend to misunderstand one source
of your unhappiness. I always despise and abjure pru-
dery from my heart, therefore with frankness I say that
I see you still regard me. Your dejected look will not
fail to haunt me when I am at a distance from you. It
is a pity we have met again. Our peculiar trials in
former years were sufficiently heavy for both you and
me.

" To come to the point with you, Mr. Clinton, I am
still your true and anxious friend, pnd such I will re-
main. More than this I cannot say for two or three
years to come at least.

*' I would not let you remain one instnnt in suspense
regarding me, if I could help it. I believe you capable
of a manly honourable affection, and I fully trust that
it is such an rne which you ente/tain for me. Time, I
hope, has given you more solidity of character than you
unce had, a ad misfortunes have, no doubt, had a puri-
fying influence on you. Your former errora have proved
salutary pi }ces of instruction and experience, and you
have learned fom them how to live more wisely. I give
you now tvio years longet, if a^ the end of that period
your heart is still unchanged, and you have lived the
while as beseems a man, you may write to me, and if I
am then in existence you shall hear from uie in return.

" I have only a few hurried minutes for this important
epistle, therefore you will know how to overlook its ab-
ruptness. I will give my hand to no man now living,
I pledge you my word, until the two years have expired

THR CANADIAN OIKL.

341

*nd I have beard from, or of you. With this promise
you must content yourself as well as you can.

" Pray beware of troubling yourself during the period
of your probation by any notionis of my entertaining
some suitor moie apparently my equal in rank. Believe
me, to be truly loved^ I estimate of more worth than a
crown, and I am not the woman to give a shadow of
encouragement to any man whom I do not really value.
Now I have made this foolish remark, your /anity will
be ready enough to convince you that I iiavt; some value
for you. Well, in two years I may prove to you that I
have. In the meantime I enjoin on you the strictest
silence, of course excepting your sister, and perhaps
your father.

** I shall return sooner to England than I had in-
tended, in order to avoid the hazard of another painful
meeting and parting between us. Remember for your
comfort that I live retired henceforward.

** Be wise, be true, and ponder the motto which is
upon the ring enclosed. That ring I beg you to accept
of me as a sign of my enduring friendship, even should
a stern Providence decree that no nearer bond unite us.
Farewell ! once more, farewell ! In two years, or a
little more, if all is as I hope, I shall say with Moore's
Finlander —

* I've but one path on earth,
That path which leads to thee.' "

There was a slight knock at the door; Clinton, halt
bewildered^ hurried the letter into his pocket, and then
admitted Jane.

" My dear brother, 1 was so anxious about you, that
I could not keep away,'' said she.

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THB CANADlA^f OIRL.

" O, Jane !" he exclaimed, agitated in excess of joy ;
" O, Jane, nny dear girl, come in i I have such news
for you!" He drew her in, and refastened the door:
" See here, Jane — Lady Hester's gift ! see here — her
letter! Read! look ! In two years, my darling sister,
she will be my wife ! Lady Hester herself, in two years
— only two ! Could you have dreamt of such fortune-
such happiness — for your brother? There, read her
own words ! Read — read !"

Jane eagerly read the letter which he thrust fnto her
hands ; then, surveying the ring, repeated some of the
sentences aloud, and finally, in a transport of joyful
sympathy, sprang into her brother's warm embrace.

" This is indeed a wonderful change of prospect for
you !" said she, as they sat side by side, the letter and
ring lying before them on the table.

" Astonishing!'' responded Clinton, his eyes sparkling,
then, overlooking the two years that were to intervene,
and the probability that before that term had expired,
one of them might be in that far distant land
" where there is neither marrying nor giving in mar-
riage," or that Lady Hester, in spite of her promise,
might a second tim*) be induced to sacrifice her inclina-
tions to the shrine of family pride, or that she might be-
come acquainted with some of his errors in America,
and refuse to fulfil her voluntary engagement with him ;
overlooking these probabilities and all others which
were of an adverse nature, he talked animatedly to his
sister of what he would do for her and for his father
when he should be Lady Hester's husband ; of the ac-
complished society to which he was sure Lady Hester
would delight to introduce her, of the almost certaiu

THE CANADIAN GIRL

343

news
I door :
I — her
sister,
I years
ine—

her

chance of her becoming the elected' of some Admirable
Crichton, some Apollo of literature and fashion; of books
and periodicals ; the music and the literary talk that
should brighten the retirement which it would perhaps
be necessary their father should maintain ; and of many
similar extravagancies, that in the whole formed as
dazzlincr a castle in the air as ever Aladilin's genii of
the lamp could have constructed.

Jane could not avoid feeling a little dizzy in the midst
of thh whirl of glittering ideas, but on the sudden she
checked him by saying, rather pensively and with a
downcast air, " I shall never marry — never. I shall
never pro into society however fascinating it may be,
whatever opportunities I may have. I shall live with
my father, and not stir from his side ;'' then followed a
little sigh, and a very faint blush, and a shade of pain
altered her usually serene face.

" Jane, you are thinkiug of Mr. Lee," said Clinton,
after a brief examination of her speaking features, " I
had quite forgot him. Nay now, my sister, you need
not sigh again, as much as to say but / had not. I can
believe you. I remember your theory about immutable
love, eh, Jane ? and you are not like some philosophers
who teach one system and practise another, are you ? Ah !
another rosy blush," said he, laughingly tapping her
cheek ; '* another sigh too under your breath ; thenl must
be serious. I might be able to persuade Lady Hester
to reside in America, near the Pastor^s lodge, and then,
if Mr. Lee would acknowledge me as a brother, and for-
get the past, what think you, should we not be happy

'' Mr. Lee will never be your brother,*' said «iane ;

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THR CiMADIAN OIKL.

she little knew this was a fatal prediction, destined to hi
fuIClIed in an awful manner, that was mercifally hid
even from her remotest conception. " He will never
be more to me than an acquaintance," said she; but in
this she wasmistakon. " Why do you smile, Nicholas (
It is very absurd of you to put on that knowing look."

*' And it is very absurd of you," said Clinton, " to
say such foolish things with so positive an air. Who
knows not that love can set the strongest resolutions at
defiance ?"

" It will not set mine at defiance," returned Jane ;
" I am quite sure to live single all my days," and she
repeated the word sure.

" As sure as I am," retorted Clinton, })rovokingly.

" And if not," continued Jane, " I am sure after
what has passed, that the last perso' I should be likely
to marry would be Mr. Lee."

" 1 hope so — and the first — for I should be sorry to
see my sister enipr twice into the holy estate of matri-
mony," said Clinton, still with a teasing smile.

*' Well, well, I see you are determined to be tor-
menting, Nicholas, so I will say no more to you on this
subject, lest I should lose my temper — "

" For the first time," interrupted Clinton. " I feel
so wondrously happy, that I am very much disposed to
flatter you. You possess the quintessence of a temper —
don't you remember Mr. I.ee used to tell you so ?"
. " Oh, go on,' said Jane, " I shall not say another
word."

. Clinton wrapped up Lady Hester''s letter, putting
the nng inside, his heart still bounded ecstatically.

** Come, be reconciled," said he, playfully, bending

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THB CAMADIAM UlllL.

315

over Jane. She raised her face smilingly, and he kisset^
her forehead. " I have found a tender sister, and while
she is the girl she is now, I shall love her fondly, whether
she ever have a husband or not."

Now, softened by the prospect of such good fortune
as he anticfpatP'!, Clinton, with every naark of contrition,
opened his heart to his sister on the subject of his past
guilt. He concealed nothing from her, and, while she
suifered indescribably on hearing the dread account, the
pangs of his compunction found a sympathetic echo in
her own breast, and from that moment, pity for liim, and
anxiety for him, not unmingled with admiration of the
as yet unvitiated parts of his originally fine character,
heightened the merely natural feeling she had for him
into a fond affection.

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TMR CANADIAN OiWI,.

CHAPTER XXI

** What T can do to make atnondg to beariti)
For past transgressions, I vill do. I go
From you and my "niawful calling."- "U Pliy.

" Now, Jenny, be active ; come — prepare — wo set
off in a few hours, my little girl. You have your wish
at last."

Jane, as she heard her father say this, felt a sweet
emotion of pleasure, surpassing any thing she had ever
felt before. In a second she had summoned Deborah,
and had given her directions to pack up.

" But you will not leave all this furniture behind?"
said she, inquiringly to the Pirate, glancing round the
sitting-room.

'* All — even to the ornaments," was the decisive re-
ply ; " every thing about must be left as I have used
them, excepting only my clothing."

Jane and Deborah were now on their knees, busily
packing boxes large and small, the latter murmuring to
herself against " Uie nons insical idaa of laving behind
all the nate goods," whicVi were in the three cabins, but
keeping her voice low, out of respect for Miss Anderson

TIIU CANADIAN GIRL.

1347

" Debl)}'," said Jane, hesitaiinga little, and stopjnd
* What is it, Miss ?" there was a sourness in the
tone.

*' Debby," again began Jane, and again paused,
" you have behaved very kindly to me ^Vlio, besides
yourself, would have staid with me in this ship, if they
could have left it ? No one. And you have not asked
me for money once. I wish, Debby, that I could now
give you something of more value than this," putting a
bank note of a small amount into her hand, '* to prove
to you how much I feel your kindness; but since I can-
not, you will I hoj)e take the will for the deed. That
note will just pay you as much as you would have re-
ceived if you had been in the lodge all this time, and
no more."

" May I be burned, Misthress Jane, if I touch a far-
ihin's worth of the money at this time ! Indeed an' I
wont — no — by St. Pathrick and all the howly saints !"

" But hear mo, Debby," continued Jane, speaking in
broken sentences ; " we shall stay a few hours in a town,
my father tells me, and there, I am sorry to say, I must
bl.l you govd-bye. You will want money until you get
a situation. I hope you will soon find one; I have no
doub^ you will."

" Did you say I must get a situation, Missthress Jane
Anderson — did you say that ?" exclaimed the Irish girl,
her face turning fiery red as she sat back on her heels,
letting some articles of female dress diop out of her
hands.

" Yes — it must be so," replied Jane, almost weeping

" And may I be bowld to ask the why, Miss?"
There are several reasons," said Jane ; " you

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846

TIIR CANADIAN GIRL.

know my father urns live in some place that is very re-
tired — ana we shall have but few conveniences, and — "

" Convaniences, Miss ! I hope 1 can do without 'em
as well as with 'em," interrupted Deborah, " I'd be no
Irish-born girl else ! My mother and father lived in a
mud-cabin, and the pigs laid with us childer in the
strah. And if you knew what the poor Irish put up with
in England when they go there in their distriss, to seek
work, och, Misthress Jane ! you'd nivir forgit it, I'd
be liound. I had a sister, poor thing ! died in London
of a faver brought on by starvation. Nivir talk to me
of convaniences !"

" But, Debby, you may be so comfortable in some
respe'^table farr/iiy," argued Jane.

" No, iViiss, I have fixed my mind on living with you,
and no one else, and I shall take it mighty hard if I am
denied, so I tell you plainly. I don't want rigular wages
at prisint, nor convaniences, I only ask to live with you.
Whin I can be certain that you have money to spafe,
and I want some, I shall make bowld to ask for a thrifle,
and what board and lodgin you may bo able to conthrive
for me, be it bad or good, will sarve me wqII enough,
I'll 1)6 bound. You won't find me grumble."

" Do not blame me afterwards if you stay with me ;
you know what you have to expect," said Jane, who in
reality was very reln.ctant lo part with the attached and
disinterested girl.

" Nivir mintion it," cried Deborah, delighted with
the concession, " all's one to me. Rough or smooth,
nothin will come amiss, while I'm sarvin you and your
frinds."

Very well, I yield," said Jane. " Yet remember

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THU CANADIAN GIRL.

340

that I particularly advise you now to settle in some gooa
family where you may have an opportunity for a' <n-
cing yourself in life *'

" If its sittled I am to stay with you, I thr. < y\ \
many times, Misthress dear," said Deboralij .lu ou
will piase me all the bttter if you will take back t s lit
of paper. It's very likely I'll !viso it, and an** rate
it's as safe in yer kaping as in mine. Depina on me, I
sha'nt be backward in asking for it whin I have a need
for the same.'

" I will take charge of it for you verj willingly, if
that is all," said Jane ; " but the note is your own,
whether it remain in my hands or in yours." This mat-
ter settled, the boxes were expeditiously filled, and di-
rected in the name of M. Vaudry. Merry appeared to
convey them to the deck, where Toby swung them into
a batteau, which was on the water, ready for the Pirate's
use.

The morning was just breaking, and the air being
rather sharp, some of the privateers were walking briskly
up and down. All who had been able to leave their
bods had come up to see their Captain take his leave.
Owing to his masterly conduct in the late fight, and to
his judicious generosity in leaving thom the vessel and
its contents, he was just now at the highest pitch of
popularity among thom. Some talked uf his past exploits,
and feared that the best days of the stout buccaneer-
ship were over ; others, (those who hoped for the vacant
command) praised him with some reserves, and hoped
to see the buccaneer trade prosjier better than ever,
wnen they shuuld have a leader less whimsical than
him.

350

TIIU CANADIAN UIRL.

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But every voice was blended in a :1iont, wlitn lie
stepped from the hatches prepared to quit them. He
had altered his dross to that of a Frencli-Ciiuadian far-
mer, for the purpose of disguise. The grey cloth coat,
buttoned closely over his ample chest to the throat, and
reaching to his knee, displayed his figure to perfection,
nor was the brilliant coloured scarf wanting around his
waist, nor the red bonni^t o\\ his head. Ti)e boJinei he
pu!'ed olT when receiving the noisy greetings of the crew,
and bowed ' is proud acknowledgements to them.
Raising his sounding voice, with a triHing degree of
agitation, he spoke a few sentences, which were received
with unbroken silence atid attention,

" Men," said he, " 1 thank you for these expressions
of your aftectioM for me. I will hope they are sincere.
I will believe that you are all satisfied with my conduct
while I have been your leader."

" All ! — all !" was the vociferous response.

" J thank you," he several times repeated. " And
my motives for leaving you I am to understand are sup-
posed <>ood ?" ,

" Yes !— yes !"

" You do not now think that I have barsrained with
your enemies for my own life by betraying you all?"
There was silence for a moment, as if the suspicion were
not quite extinct among them ; but in another second
all seemed ashamed of the doubt, and answered him by
unequivocal acclamations.

" Thanks — thanks," repeated the Pirate. Then,
lifting his arm impressively, he exclaimed, " When I
\)etray one of you knowingly, may heaven totally desert
nie ! i will never do it !"

TIIK CANADIAN GIRL.

zrA

he
He

far-
oat,

Hllll

ion,
hi.s
he

Tbo lit'iirls of the fierce listeners were softened ; some
hard eyes wore seen glistening as if tears had almost
found a passagu there ; and on some brutalised features
a noMe enthusiasm was gi.<nmering like sunbeams on a
muddy pool. The grey firmament seemed bending over
the outcasts, breathing peace and goodwill ; on the
eastern half, two or three faint silvery stars were just
disappearing amid a holy stillness ; on the western, a
more lustrous whiteness was spreading, varied with small
clouds bathed in rosy tints.

*' Some of you know that I was deceived inio the post
I have occupied," continued the Pirate. " Speak the
truth — was it not so 1 Was I not led to believe that
nothing worse than smuggling was intended by you ?"

" Yes !" answere^l several voices from different parts
of the ship.

" Yet I have been true to you to the present moment,"
(a shout). " Well now, friends, at parting let me ad-
vise you to return to the original plan," (a murmur,
mingled with a few approving voices). " I have no in-
terests of my own to serve. If you choose to remain
Pirates, I leave you my good vessel, and all that is in
her; if you become smugglers, I do the same. But I
speak for your good as men ; there is no excuse to be
made among people for a Pirate, for a smuggler there is.
Men of approved honesty in society encourage smugglers,
therefore they cannot really suppose smuggling to be a
dishonest thing. Be smugglers — you will never want
friends; be smugn;ler« — you will be secretly welcome
everywhere, and money will flow in upon you. There
is a great deal in a robber's choice of a name, my friends,
let me tell you."

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TIIK (CANADIAN OIRL.

Mis partly RerioiM, partly sarcastic remarks, pleaspd
■ml amiiNtul the men, and the proposal was received
with more attention than ho expected. A rapid, noisy.

i mated di

the least de-

ana am mated discussion TOOK place; some,
pravedof'the set, at once argued in favour of the change;
others, the worst of the crow, hotly opposed it ; how-
ever, their Captain renewed his arguments, which had
to much weight with all, that after a second consultation
they unanimously determined to give np piracy, and
confine themselves to the circulation of contraliand goods
between the Canadas and the United States, only wiih
the proviso, that if the new trade should not be found as
profitable as the old one, they should go back to the lat-
ter.

The Pirate, as we shall continue to call him, was well
pleased that he had been the means of bringing the men
he had coramarded a little nearer the pale oi honest
life, and thought it some good done.

*' I have to thank you far one remarkable part of your
)iehaviour to me," said he, speaking lower, but still no
that all might hear ; '* my daughter has lived in this ship
perfectly unmolested — Iter father is grateful. Rude and
lawless as you appear, you have respected the feelings
of an innocent giri, I shall remember it to your honour,
when I am gone from you."

This praise improved their tem|)ers still more, and as
Jane appeared they fell back with a delicacy worthy of
better men. She look Clinton's arm as if for protection
from the ntnnerous faecs which gazed on her, and fa.1-
tened her eyes modestly on the ground. The Pirate
tot>k hor hand, and whispered to her as he led her to
the spot where she was to descend to the Iwat. There,

TIlit CANADIAN UinL.

stopplni* as Iio wished, slio gatherotl confidunvc, end
looked around with timid kindness on thu excited crew,
bowiri^T to them expressively.

She appeared to much advatitage, her neat figure was
attired partly in the Canadian costume, a prot / jacket,
or mantelet, of fine brown cloth, fitted easily above a full
skirt of rich crimson wool, and a graceful straw hat co-
vered her dark brown hair. Tlio smooth locks in front
were combed back plain over her temples. As she
smiled, and slightly waved he*" hand, her feattires were
stam|)cd with the mildest and ])urest expressions, such
as made you in love with virtue, even more than with
herself.

Clinton retained his hunter's dress, his additional
wardrobe was confined within the dimensions of a very
small pack, that was loosely strapped to his back, so as
to come under his right arm.

He had assisted his sister into the batteau, when
Deborah made ber appearance, comfortably trapped up
in k voluminous stuff cloak and bonnet.

Some delay was now caused by the sailors insistini;
that tl'C Captain should take the furniture and orna-
ments of his cabins with him. In a brief space they had
cleared out a canoe which had stood on deck, filled witli
various articles, and had slung it down to the water 'h-
sidethe batteau. Enthusiastically the men combine i 'ii»
the task oi filling it with chairs, tables, mattrassc^, c< r-
pets, &c., while the Pirate and his children stooti by,
touched to the heart.

" Now this is hacting something like," said Haver-
straw, looking admiringly on the busy crew. " I didn't
tliink there was any heart in 'em at all ;" here ho

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THB CANADIAN GIRL.

knocked the dead ashes out of a short pipe, and put it
in the pocket of his pea-jacket, " but I see Providence
will never let men be every bit black, there is always
some white spot about the blackest rogues if it could
but be found out." Merry twitched his sleeve.

*' Me keep you company ? — Me go wid you ?" said
he, with much earnestness and determination. " Mo
miserable here ib you and Massa Captin go away.
Massa Captin it was who took me abourd when me run
from old Somers* cowskin ; «le Captin use mo very well
here — mo Inb him very well. By gor me not stay when
you and de Captin gone !" and tears floated on the strong
white and blank of his eyes, and rolled down his sooty
cheeks.

" The men wont let you go, Merry, I'm almost sure
of it," said Toby, whose furrowed and wouther-hardened
face had expressed much complacency in the j)rospuct of
his own removal, but now softened with sympathy for
the negro. " No — no ; three of us at once will be too
many for 'em to lose. They wont let you go, take; my
wo.-i IbrV .; ...- .,-,,,- ,^.^,, ,,-,-,, -y,:-..,i .,,-,„y

" Me a free buccaneer, Toby !" cried the blacl<, with
vehement gestures. " Mo no slavev now ! Me not
stay here ib me not like ! Why dey lot you go^ an' not
me, tell me dat, old man ?" , ,,

" 'Cause I am an old man, boy," quietly answered
Haverstraw. " I tell you what, young blacky," he
added, taking hold of the shirt collar of the negro, and
detaining him, as he was turning away in a rage, " if
you want to keep me company, you had better get back
the natural colour of your own skin afore you go talkuig
«o to the men."

THK CANADIAN CIKL.

3').')

tee

lid
fu

*}'•
Lin

There irtul reason for tlic caution, as the complexion
of the African, under the influence of siulden passion,
had changed from black to a strange brown of mingled
shades ; his large lips, too, were drawn tight against his
ivory teeth, which were revealed much in the same way
as those of an angry dog. He tried to twitch his collar
out of Haverstraw*s hand, but the grasp of the old man
was not shaken.

" You foolish nigger boy," said he, " do you want
to make a quarrel here, and the Captain just going t"

" Me will go too !" exclaimed Merry, with an air
that defied all who would oppose his intention.

"What aro you talking about, blackbird, eh?"
roujihlv asked the man at the wheel.

" The boy \<* wishful to go with me," answered Ha-
verstraw, spoakiiifr instead of the black, and holding up
his finsor to iiiin lor silence, in the hope of preserving
jH?r.ce.

A surly oath was the response, it was echoed by others
of the crew, and Merry was flatly denied.

" Now kt'op your temper, and listen to me," said
Haverstraw, pulling Merry still nearer to him, Jind whis-
pering in his ear a few sentences. The negro gave a
skip, snapped his fingers over his head, and grinned one
uf his broad grins.

" Will it do, boy?" asked Toby, slyly smiling.

** Iss, by gor, iss !" cxclaimetl Merry, with another
skip; " me getoflfdat way. ver well."

" Soflly !" exclaimed the wary oU man, lookmg round
on the crew whoso attentions were now diverted by thd
Firate.

The Captain shook hands with all, both in the oa'oins,

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Tlili; C.tNADIAN UIRL.

aiul on Iho deck, then entered the batteau, followrei
by his son. Ilaverstraw descended to one end of ine
loaded canoe, which was nearly overset by the addi-
tional weight. The sailors continually cheered their
Captain as the boats moved slowly ofT. He took his last
look of the Fearless. ■ > '^

" She is admirably built!" cried he, addressing Clin-
ton, his eye scanning the hull and rigging with some-
thing of melancholy ; " I was never inside a better ship.
But I have done right to quit her,''' (he could not res-
train a sigh,) " and I must make myself as happy as I
can. You would hardly think, Nicholas," he added,
" how a thorough-bred sailor, such as twenty-five years
of si:>-vice has, I believe, made of me, loves his shin:
she seems almost as much a part of him as the hand
which has worked her helm, or the eyes that have di-
rected her compass."

While the attention of the crew was fastened on the
boats, a splash in the water was heard, and the negro
was presently sc-n rising to the surface, twenty yards off,
and swimming with a vigorous and rapid movement
toward the canoe, which Haverstraw put back to receive
him.

" Cuss the rogue! he was one of our best men," ex-
claimed the fellow who had heard the splash ; " hand
me that musket, Benjamin, he shall not get off without
a taste of lead ;" and Merry's mortal career would have
instantly terminated had not Toby suddenly called out
to him to " dive !" The black disappeared accordinglj
and the shot passed the place where his head had been
I lit an instant before.

*' You just cleared it, boy, just, to half a second I"

TnB CANADIAN OIRL.

nsj

cried Haverstrair, quietly laughing, as Merry gmped
the canoe side. " Not there — not there !'* exclaimed
the alarmed old man, " go to t'other side, or you will
sink Iier ! the goods are heavy in the middle, and if you
sit where I tell you we shall balance her evenly.**

Merry therefore got in at the hinder end of the canoe,
Toby being in front; the {laddles were again SQt in
motion, and the smooth waves, shining in the morning
light, swept past them at no mean speed.

A seaman, whom the Pirate had recommended to the
crew of the Fearless to be their successor, was in the
batteau, and when it floated at the edge of the shore, he
waited until the Pirate anu his children Vad landed,
then toned it back to the ship. The canoe had been
retumei by the sailors to the Pirate along with its
contents.

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THB CANADIAN OIBL.

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CHAPTK*? XXII.

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•* It fs the lorclicBt day that we h»ve h»^
This loToly munth; sparkling and full of eh:jtff

>,;•

.'It )h"

Vh« eun has a sharp rye, yet kind and glad(

Colours are doubly bright: all things appear ' . ,j.,

Strong outlined in the .spacious atmosphere;

And through the lofty air the white cloud* f^O, '• '• ■'•'

As on their way to gome celestial show." — Ilunfi Plaemt, 1 1 , , j-- ,

" Love is sweet,
Given or returned. Common as light is love,
And its familiar voice wearies not ever,
Like the wide heavm, the all-suitaining air.
They who inspire it most are fortunate,
As I am now ; but those who feel it most,
Are happier still, after long tufferings.
As I shall soon b«?come." — Slitlley.

•J/> -fjiv

We now return to the Pastor's lodge. Two years it
is to be supposed have passed away since the Pirate
parted from his men. The winter has set in with rigour.
,'n Upper Camda, particularly in that part of it where
th<; good rl.igyman dwells, the seasons are always
inore temperate than in the Lower province, but even
'ier»\ every iake and [xjnd — every stream and rivulet—
arc .oated hard and firm with dark, polished ice.
Tho prairies, or savannahs, natural flats in the midst of
i'^mense forests, are iced nearly a foot deep. That

THE CAfiXpiAH OmL

'6S9

splendid phenomena, the hoar frost, has spread itself in
u t'evf hours over the whole of the vast wilderness, the
work of an Almighty Enchanter, whose beautiful cre-
ations are without end. Nature is now in her rami sur-
prising attire ; the boasted summer hss nothing to ex*
ceed these g7'.ries, has nothing more inimitable, more
surpassing.

7'he enclosure in which the broken-hearted Lucy slept
was covered with a winding-sheet of purest ice, that shone
all over with ^^litteri \g particles. The Pastor and his
grandson, in fur-trinin ed great coats, bear-skin caps and
gloves, took a mornir ]r walk from the lodge to this me-
lancholy spot. They p iisued the sheep-walk, descended
into the lower parts ol the valley, went up the few steps
of the enclosure, anc proceeded in silence along the
path which led to the isolated grave.

The Pastor had his gold-headed cane in his hanr md
he leaned un it vrith symptoms of weakness. H' up-
right figure had become bent under the weigh' his
afflictions. His benign face was now deeply furr )wed,
and it had lost its healthy complexion. Sor v had
pressed heavily on the good divine.

Arthur's manly countenance had become i >ore habi-
tually serious, his manner more uniformly grave. He
had sought consolation in religion, and having had jbis
fairest hopes blighted on earth, he had determined to
seek no more the phantom of earthly happiness, but
looked forwards with calm faith, and aSxed e:.: ''ctation
to a future world of joy. r

They both stood still by the t»yo pair of cypresses
which, in the summer, had overshadowed Lucy's ftraye
wHb their dark fringed branches. TberP was just rooni

If!

3G0

TITB CANADIAN 01 RL.

between their double roots for another grave ; " Whose
win it be?" thought the Pastor, looking down on the
white soil, and then tip at the sky, with meek resigna-
tion in his eye, while both his hands rested on the top
of his stick ; " Lord, if me, I am ready ; I desire to be
dissolved, and to be with Thee, and the dear ones 1 have
lost. Yet I would be passive in Thy gracious hands ;
*all the days of my appointed time will I wait till my
chanjre come.* "

Arthur leaned his elbow on a beautiful tombstone
that had been made of the white marble with which the
district al)ounded. It was of an uncommon and antique
shape, and bore this inscription —

LUCY LEE, ■'

AOED 10 YKAR9 AND 4 MONTHS;

BORN IN ENGLAND, IN TttU RECTORY-HOVSB

OF ILTON, SUKfOLK, MAnCH, ]ir05.

DIED JULY, 1824.

" S/tt is noy dead, but sleepci/t/'

f<lj r..-7Al

? I

.(,

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The noble evergreen cypresses were still anything but
bare of foliage, which was loaded with superb frost-work.
The clergyman and Arthur Lee lingered a little while
in the neighbourhood of the tomb conversing. Time
had taken away the first sharp agony of grief, and a
tender regret, a calm, resigned sorrow, had succeeded in
its place. They were of one mind and one heart in faith
and hope, and the certainty of a blissful meeting with
the dear departed in a happier state of being, was so
continually before their mutual sight, and they so fre-
quently made it a subject of converse between them-
selves, that gradually a halo of hope encircled the dark

.1,1

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

Mil

abyss into which their hopes had descendtMl, and |hmc9
shone on their desolated hearts once mure.

They now slowly returned to their tranquil, if not
happy home. When they a<ldresscd each other it tvas
with peculiar tenderness and respect, for eacii Hit the
value of his beloved ami only companion, relative, and
friend, and anticipated the hour when s second bereave-
ment must divide even them.

It was a very unusual tiling for either I ■ advert to
Clinton or Jane, but as tbey now proc«.dt j ;>n their
walk thoy did so without intending i4.

"I have never heard you say that you r^rgave him,**
said the Pastor.

An expression of settled resentment was inilantly
apparent on Arthur's face, and he said not a wo*^ for
some minutes.

" It is hard to do so/* at length he obsprved, as if
arguing with himself, rather than replying to his grand-
father; *' it is almost beyond the strength of nature."

" But it is not beyond the power of grace, niy tiear
grandson^" said the Pastor reprovingly ; " with God all
things are possible. ' If ye forgive not men their tress-
passes, neithi'rwill your heavenly Father forgive you.' ''

*' 5*!ay God forgive him — I will try to do so," said
Arthur, emphatically, '.vhile in his heart the obligations
of the Christian struggletl with the deep-rooted indig-
nation of the man.

*' If our departed Lucy is now a happy, glorified
spirit made perfect^ which I thank the Lord we have no
reason to doubt,"'' said the Pastor, .as they dpsceaded iato
the lower, and most rocky parts of the glen, " think
you snc can look with pleasure on your continued

9U.

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THB CANADIAN OlRft.

an<^er against that iniss^uided, but I stiU hope not (otalljir
tlepraved, yoiinf? man. If she is now with the Lord^
who, wlien he was d)ing on the cross, forgave his des-
troyers, can she, do you think, approve your unpar-
doning temper toward him wlio really was but the indi-
rect cause of her death V*

"No, you are right, grandfather- -vou* are right!"
pxclaiinod Arthur, nui'itering his natural feelings ; *' this
unholy bitterness which I feel against Mr. Clinton
must, and, with the help of Almighty strength, shall be
uppressed."
The Pastor wept. " I surely ought not to repine,"
said he, " since I have a child left to me so williug to
obey the Divine commands."

Occasionally, as they walked along, they blackened
their steps, and dwelt with quiet admiration on the well-
known scene, now so altered by its frosty drapery that it
hardly looked the same. The vale here was narrow,
sunken between tremendous elevations. On one side
stretched that monotonous and vast mountain wall which
has been before described ; on the otiier, ara?l>le soil,
abounding in evergreens, and diversified with rocky
crags, swelled up to every variety of height and shape.
Snow might have concealed the beauty of the scene, but
the glassy ice, and the lovely hoar-frost, had a contrary
elTect. The stern majesty of the bare rocks, and the
dark tints of those parts of the evergreens which had not
received the frost, admirably set off the effulgent glitter
that everywhere else enchanted the eye.

Arthur, with a se(tler*s anxious interest, scanned the
corn land along the mountain foot, and inwardly sptcu-
iated on the coming year's harvests.

tHR CANADIAN tlRL.

"Hie surface of the track tln-y were upon crackled
under their feet ; their l)roiith froze about the fur collars
which were pulled up over their chins ; tlie radiancy of
the sun, and thedrvm'ss and clearness of t lie atmosphere,
were invigorating and delifrhtful in spite of the inteiue
cold.

As they prnceedod, fhey were completely surrounded
by hills clothed with <»V('rirreeus ; the mighty trees
cracked with a souu'l IIUh fhmidcr under the pressure
of the ice ; their regular I)ranclilcss shafts ninning up
straight to a surprisitii; h«'i<4ht, and covered with the
shiniiii(T partiiilf's of llic lioar frost, permitted a wide
ranjje of view into the depths of the woods. Arthur,
who was very little given to the quoting of poetry,
ncverthelen*, inspired by the scene, repeated these
lines, smilingly, tc his grandfather : —

" All thnt tliitii (pent ia Nature's linndlworlc ;•.-
'lliDoi' rocks ti)iil ii| wnrd iliniw their inimvy brow*.
T/iVc rastlt'd piii'iacU's of oliior tiiin>s ;
Tlu»4e veivorHbK' siciud, iliat hIiuvIv rook
Tlifir t<:weiiiL' liraiirl'o. in itii> wiiiiry gali';
That lit'ltl of fi list wliirli glilti^rH in the sun,
Morkirig t)u> wlnluimsM of a marble breast."

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" God's haniliwork, my de;ir or.indson," interrupted
the Pastor. " The handiwork of nature's God, I could
nave thought I liad. inst<'ail of you, Mr. Clinton at my
side. The joung man was certainly very pleasing so-
ciety, and had a fine relish for ihe works of creation.
Well, it is a pity his principles were corrupted — a very
great pity. I wonder what has become of him." '

An al)rupt turn had brought them in sight of the
lodge, while the Pastor was speaking this with an

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

oarnestness that told plainly ho had not entirely freed
himself from his pro|)u8seKiiun for the individual he had
named.

" What is that before the door?" asked he, stopping,
taking Arthur's arm and pointiiiff. " A sleigh ? Yes,
■uroly it is. What visitors have we hero, I wondor ?
Perhaps the Bathursts."

*' No, that is not the Doctor's slei'jh," said Arthur;
** not is that Miss Bathurst." A tliickly-niuffli'd foniiile
figure sprang out from the vehicle, and, received by the
servants, entered the front doorway , a young man, in a
shaggy overcoat, with a bear-skin cap on his head, then
led the horses witli the carriage round to an outhouse
at the back of the lodge.

•* I cannot imagine who they can bo if not the Ba-
thursts," said the Pastor, pushing forward at a quicker
pace, with the help of Arthur's arm. " Next sabbath is
not sacrament day, or I should think they were two of
our communicants come to prepare for tlie ordinance with
us. Who can they bo ? I certainly expected r.o one
at present." ' ^^ ' =' "

The abundant smoke that curled straight upwards
from the four huge chimneys of the lodge, gave com-
fortable evidence of the unstinted fires within. The
cold white sides of the building were cheerfully relieved
loo by the thickly-dra[)eried windows in front, through
iSLch of which a ruddy light streamed out upon the frozen
flower-beds.

The Pastor and Arthur opened the little gate in the
palisades that surrounded the building, and crossed the
garden, which had much fallen oft' in appearance and
value since the decease of Miss Lee and the dt par-

TIIU CANADIAN CJinL.

3G.5

lure of Jano Anderson ; but that deterioration was not
perceptible now.

The orchard of mossy, brown, andnt^cd fruit trees, the
little bridge, and the mill, stood just U8 when we first in-
troduced them to our readers, altered only by their
sparklint^ livery of white, but many uewsettlemeuts hud
sprung up in their vicinity. The Pastor had been allowed
two hundred acres uf ground by the Protestant Canadian
church establishment ; and, anxious to <lo all the good
that lay in his power, ho had given small lots out of it
to many poor but industrious families. A neat church
and rectory- house, also, had been begun to bo erected
for his use by order of the Bishop of Quebec ; and as it
was the Pastor's sole aim to win souls, and not to heap
up gain, he employed his little surplus income in build-
ing small but convenient dwellings for converted Indians
or other needy persons.

The windings of the valley in every direction near to
the lodge; revealed these unpretending cabins, from
whose doors or windows a bright cheering light shone,
and from whose chimneys the warm smoke also ascended
in liberal quantities. These huts were all of one story,
strongly built of squared logs laid one upon another,
and consisting of four large rooms — a family room, a
kitchen in the centre, and a larf^e bed-room at either
end. Some of them were rented from the Pastor at a
cheap rate, according to the means of the party, and
some occupied gratis. .

Arthur assisted the new and ignorant settlers in many
ways, but principally by instructitig them in the best
means of working their share of laud, and managing
their small aiTairs to advantage. A spirit of industry.

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366

THE CANADIAN GIUL.

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sobriety, and religion, was remarkably diffused among
them, and plenty and peace followed as an almost ne-
cessary result.

The Pastor and Arthur inquired of Jacob who had
arrived. He smiled, and then affected to look uncon-
cerned, patting the horses, which were two handsome
greys, and stroking their shoulders, from which he had
just taken two woollen cloths that had defended them
from the cold. The sleigh was apparently new, of the
most fashionable phaeton shape, raised on runners, lined
at the sides with crimson cloth, and at the bottom with
mats as soft and warm as down ; the handle of the door
of the vehicle was of silver, and on the middle panel, on
a dark ground, appeared a very minute coat of arms.
The harness of the horses were ornamented with silver,
and the bells were of the same material. ' "

These signs of the wealth and distinction of the stran-
gers (for this sleigh neither the Pastor or Mr. Lee had
seen before, and certainly it could not belong to any of
their ordinary acquaintances) excited some surprise in
the minds of both.

" They were a lady and pcntlonian," was all Jacob
could or would say of them. " The lady was so wrapped
up he could only see a pair of modest looking eyes und
a smiling mouth — thought she was youiio — knew tlio
gentleman was — thoy were in the ilttiiig-rooin."'

To the sittinsf-room accoriliiiylv Arthur and llio Pastor
directly proceeded, only stopping ;i niinnte in the kitchen
to divest themselves of their great coats, gloves, and caps.
They both instinctively paused at the sitting-room door;
the lady and gentleman were speaking to each other
within, and Arthur looked at his grandfather, crini-

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

36T

st)ned, and looked stern ; and the Pastor looked at his
<i»randson, and turned a shade paler than ordinary. The
tatter was the first to enter. The young lady was sitting
half enveloped in a rich fur mantle, and velvet pelisse,
that she had loosened about her neat figure. She abruptly
turned her mild and sensible countenance as she heard a
t'ootstop in the room, and, springing up, extended her
hand, exclaiming eagerly and affectionately —

" My dearest grandfather ! will you give me a welcome
for a day or two in the house where I once lived as Jane
Anderson ?" < ■ .

"Jane! — what is it Jane come back!" cried the
surprised Pastor, cordially returning her warm greeting,
but having hardly noticed the word " grandfather;"
•' I have not seen you, my dear, since that sad timf
when I lost my Lucy." He' pressed his hand on his eyes
a moment. " Ah ! now I look at you, Miss Jane, she
seems to rise before me — 1 think I see her again." He
wiped his eyes, and Jane wept with artless susceptibility.
*' She loved you," added the Pastor, sitting down beside
Jane, who by his desire had resumed her seat j " you
were very happy together for some time ; but uninter-
rupted felicity is not the lot of mortals." ' " '

" I come to you as a near relative, my dear sir," said
Jane ; " I claim to be received by you as* a grand-
daughter. Read this letter which a friend of my bro-
ther's brousfht out latclv from Enijland."

The Pastor had just opened the folded sheet of paper,
which she took from an elegant reticule and gave him,
when Arthur slowly entered, with infinite self-possession,
and met the eye of Clinton. Tlie hitt. r rose from the
chair instantly, and said, hurriedly —

i! I

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11 i

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3G8

THE CAirADTAN OIRL.

*' Mr. Lee, this visit will no doubt surprise yo«. To
account for it, we must introduce ourselves to you as
your cousins, and as bearing the same relation to Pastor
Wilson which you 3'ourself bear."

*' Indeed, Mr. Clinton ! how is that ?" inquired Ar-
thur, distantly, keeping his eye carefully turned from
Jane. " Certainly I am surprised. You will be so
good as explain ?"

" The letter which Pastor Wilson is reading contains
my explanation," returned Clinton, who, in spite of his
previous resolution not to see any coldness in Mr. Lee's
manner, was chilled by his imperturble gravity, and by
the sternness of his features. " My mother, Mr. Lee,
was the sister of your mother, and the daughter of your
grandfather."

" Indeed !" exclaimed Arthur, losing a little of hu
frigidity, " if this be true — "

" If it be true, sir !" echoed Clinton, taking fire at the
doubt,

" How long is it since you discovered this ?'* asked
Mr. Lee; at that moment he frowned, and seemed to
shrink. Jane's well- remembered voice was speaking
softly to the Pastor further up the room, for Clinton had
sat down by the door to glance at a book, which lay on
a small work table that had been LiJcj-'s, while his
sister hiul "[one to the lir(\ " > | » • •■ • '■

" Very hitcly — not nulil this letter came — did we
l<no\v the siii:2nliu circiunsfance," answered Clinton ;
•'• it r(>aclie(l iis iil (^lu lu'c, »he:'e we were staying." ,
'• Indeed — Ncry stiniioe," repeated Arthur, casting
ni< eve one Ijriel' in(jnient toward .Fane, and withdrawing
It instantly, \\liile another frown succeeded to the first,

THK CANADIAN CIRF.. 369

with inrliornant feeling. ", And you and Mrs. Clinton

are in good circumstances now ?" said lie, inquiringly,

remembering tlie coat of arms on the sleigh door, and

affecting more indifference than he felt.

" Mrs. Clinton !" echoed the other, smiling, as he saw

the very natural mistake Arthur had fallen into ; " 1 .

have not the honour to know any one of that name.'*

" Yon have taken another name then?" ,

u >j-„_M .I'l.', '^ ;,.i . ■-■■■•■■ '' >' ■• "

** Why is not Jane — I mean Miss Anderson — your
wile?" - -'-"^ " -- 1"""^ ' ^'-v ; '.

*' She is my sister, Mr. Lee ; as yet I have no wife,
neither has my sister a husband, or to my knowledge
any thoughts of one." . , ^ .. ,,..i -, ,

The face of Arthur cleared remarkablv ; the frown
instantaneously vanished: the look of pain passed off; and
with a manner at once cheerful and frank, almost before
he was aware, he had shaken hands with his new-found
cousin, resolving in his mind to forgive from that moment
his erring conduct, and to remember it no more.

*' I'es, it is so — it is so !" cried the Pastor, wiping
his eyes again and again, as he passed the letter to Ar-
thur; " and you, Jane Anderson, and you, Mr. Clinton,
are indeed my grandchildren — the children of that dear
daughter of mine who married the American seauian I
But come, off with your superflous dresses, my dears,
and when you have had a good dinner, for which I am
surb the keen air must have given you uu appetite, wo
Will talk it all over. I have a hundred questions to ask
— I shall hardly know where to begin. I shall want to
know where you met with each other ? — how you found
t)tft»tftat you were brother and sister? — in what manner

3 H

II;!

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Hit

ili^l

370

7«E CANADfAW OtAI^

you, Mr. Clinton, discovered your father ? — what sort 6,
life he has been leading since your dear mother*s death ?
—and ho\T it is I find you coming hither like rich seignors
with a coat of arms and silver harness to your sleigh ?"
— (he rang the bell as he spoke the last sentence) — " and
what has become of Deborah ?" Here Deborah's sub-
stitute in the lodge entered, preventing the reply. She
was the eldest daughter of a Scotch storekeeper, a red-
cheeked, fat, sour-looking damsel.

" What's your wuU, sir ?" asked she, holding up the
corner of a dirty checked apron to her mouth, and sta-
ring with vulgar curiosity at the visitors. !

" Dinner-Dinner, Patty ! let us have it in good time,
if you please."

" It'll na be ready yet, sir,'* replied the louring girl,
who detested being put out of her way, which was always
the case when she was required to do any thing quicker
than ordinary, that was, in proper time.

" Get it ready as soon as possible, then, Patty," said
the good natured Pastor, " and let there be an extra
dish or two. Has the Indian Sassa or his brother brought
in anv venison, or anv birds, this morning?"

** Nay — I dinna ken — I seen none-^— nought to crack
o' — a plieesant, that'g a'."

" That's plenty, Patty, for one morning's shouting, if
it is a Hne one. You have roasted it, have you ?"
« It's doon at the fire." ' , i

^* That will do ; now take away Miss Jane's extra
garments. Or what say you, Jane, my dear, can you find
your way up stairs yourself? The rooms stand just as
they did." • . .;;) , : .

I shaU not loi;c myself, I dare say,** said Jani^

tt^

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THE CANADIAN OJRL

3tl

.«i'"'"i«

smiling, and gathering up into her arms her profuse trt*
veiling wrappers ; *' but I certainly should if the house
ifere as much altered as the valley.^*

She had to pass Arthur in order to leave the room ;
he had not yet spoken to ler ; he was reading the letter,
when she stepped timidly by him ; instantly the paper
dropped to the ground, he started forwards, with an en-
thusiasm the more touching from his habits of self-com-
mand, and caught her hand.

*^ Jane Anderson P he emphatically exclaimed; the
feelings of a deep and full heart were expressed in the
two words. " Jane, my sister's dear friend, have you
not a word for ma after two years and a half of absence ?**

Jane paused without answering, blushing painfully, her
eyes cast down, and her heart beating. She would have
withdrawn her hand with displeasure, but recollected
Mr. Lee was related to her, and perhaps had a right to
the trifling familiarity. , ., ; '^

She was very confused, and felt so awkward, and so
unable to say any thing,, that she was quite angry with
herself.

the Pastor and Clinton were busily talking at quite
the other end of the long apartment, and discreetly took
o notice of the pair.

" You look particularly well — I hope your heart is as
little altered as your countenance," Arthur hurriedly
whispered as he opened the door for her. " You must
never leave this lodge again, Jane. You must stay with
your new grandfather henceforward-— you must indeed.
The house is quite another place when you are in it. I
assure you it is melancholy to live in it while you — ''

She tripped away up the staircase without waitlug

,^73

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

I 'i'

for the conclusion of his incoherent speecli, plav fully
shaking her head, and venturing one look down on him
from the upper balusters.

In that look there was kindness enough to revive
Arthur's hopes, and he went back into the sitting-room
with a heart once more awakened to bright ideas of
domestic happiness, for which he was peculiarly fitted,
and for which he had always ardently thirsted.

Jane had been powerfully struck with his agitation,
his tone of voice, and his look of undisguised affection.
She was certain that he loved her .well, and as the con-
viction pressed upon her, she threw herself down in an
easy chair in the room that had formerly been her
chamber, and wept with unalloyed delight. In his
character there was every thing to admire, she thought
to herself; he was so open, so sincere, possessed of such
admirable principles, so industrious, so dutiful to his
grandfather, and so devoted to his Maker. It was true
he was sometimes severe, and rather obstinate, too, in
the carrying out of his principles, and a little — a very
little — disposed to be hard and proud ; these defects had
caused their former separation ; but then, what man
ever lived without defects ? and ought she not now to
forgive his offence, considering that, after all, it was
nothing very serious.

" I do certainly esteem him more than any other man
I ever saw," said she ; and then she remembered that
it had been Lucy's wish tp see her married to Arthur.
But as she was unfastening her pelisse, it occurred to
ber that, before she came on her present visit, she had
determined, beyond doubt, never for a single moment to
allow him to look upon her as more than a friend and

TII« CANADIAN GIRL.

373

anning

a cousin, ancl that she had spent many an hour pi
haw to behave to him on all imaginary occasions.

" Is it possible," thought she, " that the impressions
of a moment can have destroyed all my judicious plans
— is it possible ?"

It was possible ; not that Jane was weak, but the fact
was, that her anger against Arthur had been mere girlish
pique, and in its iiery nature destined to be short-lived, '
while a durable affection for him had kept its ground ;

beneath. !

The result proved to be this — Arthur's suit was taken
up at the exact point where it had been broken off two
years before. He confessed himself wrong in having
treated the Pirate so unceremoniously, as he was her
father, and threw himself on her mercy. That mercy
was not denied him. Thus there was an end of their
difference ; the painful separation they had borne en-
deared them doubly to each other, and the Pastor and
Olinton rejoiced to see their perfect agreement.

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CHAPTER XXIII.

' Pain and sorrow shall vanish before us,
Yotith may wither, but feeling will last;
All the shadow that e'er shall fall o'er us,

Love's light summer-cloud sweetly shall cast."— Jfcr"

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After three hours of intimate and really happy con-
versation round the great stove which stood in the mid-
dle of the sitting-room, the four newly-united relatives
separated for a little time, Jane to amuse herself as she
pleased, Arthur to see that his cattle, hogs, and poultry
were properly fed, and safely shut up for the night, the
Pastor to choose his text, and arrange the subject of his
next sermon, and Clinton to walk out viewing the
new settlements in the valley.

To Jane's domestic, home-loving temper, evsry thing
in this house, which had been a home to her, and which
was likely to be so again, and permanently, was an
object of peculiar interest. The soft, blameless feelings
of her soul, were seen in her eye as it passed tearfully
from object to object in the room, dwelling on some but
a moment, on others with a long and lingering gaze,
inspired by mournful recollections of her deceased friend.
This family apartment (which well merited the epithet

TUB CANADIAN OIRL.

375

large, for it would have contained three ordinary rooms)
exhibited numerous doors, carefully surrounded with
crimson cloth to exclude all drauglits ; one of these was
the principal entrance of the house, extremely large,
which Jane opened, stepping out under a plain portico.
And there before her were the groves of hemlock, pine,
and cedar, that her memory had so much dwelt upon,
all now brilliantly silvered, covering romantic hills as
far as her eve could see. Here and there curled the
white smoke of huts that she had never seen before;
nearer she espied the summer-house, wherein, when
Lucy was alive, the Pastor's happy household had so
often spent their evenings in the hot season. But the
fine maple that had shadowed it was now only an ice-
covered stump ; it was withered and gone like the gentle
mistress of tiie lodge. Jane stepped back within the
room and refastened the door.

But now, again drawing over her head a thick shawl,
she was about to lookout at the back of the house, when
she caught sight of her face reflected in a larj^a mirror
on the wall, and started. Her thoughts were so full of
Lucy, that, instead of her own, she fancied she saw her
friend's face. 'The nervous impression instantly sub-
sided, but still the same fair image was distinctly beforo
her mind. There was an immense sofa stretching along
the wall — that was the very one on which Miss Lee had
died, while Jane lay thoughtlessly sleeping beside her.
She now almost trjSmbled to look on it, yet, by a strange
fascination, could* not resist reclining upon its soR
<;ushions, in nearly the same posture in which she had
lain on that melancholy night. Two spacious windows
were before her, hung with heavy crimson moreen ; wheu

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37G

TUB CANADIAN GIRL.

those windows were more lightly draperied, Miss Lee
had looked through them upon the moon for the last
time, and had spoken her last words. Jane recalled tlie
very sound of her voice and every word; then, overcome
with the sense of her great loss in the death of so dear a
friend, buried her face in the cushions and wept pas-
sionately.

Here Arthur entered, smiling, and smacking a small
whip, having just come from the stables.

•' Those are beautiful greys of yours, my dear Jane,"
he began, but seeing her tearful face, he looked on her
auxiuiisl), then at once comprehending the cause of her
tears, turned away, and walked up the room, as if to
warm his feet by the stove, where he stood knocking the
ice from them, while Jane dried her eyes, and resumed
her usual unaflected cheerfulness. He then spoke to
her with lively tenderness, and they walked together to
the back of the house. ♦

The poultry-yard was nearly "filled with hardened
snow that had been drifted into it; the fish-pond was a
mirror of dark ice. No cattle, no hay-stacks, or produce
of any kind, were to be seen out of cover. An old
plough, and a broken cart made the foundation for a
hill of frozen snow next the palisades. The vegetable-
ground, and all else she could see, were hid under the
universal frost.

The two loitered next in the kitchen a little while.
Though Jane saw more servants about now than for-
merly, yet nothing like the order that then prevailed
was at present to be seen. The want of a mistress had in->
vested the principal female managers with much power,
which, as might have been expected, they had abused.

THB CANADIAN C.W'A.

377

Tlie 'I'lge (Iressor was covereri with ;i profusion of
mnnts — n.sli, flesh, and fowl, roasted and boiled — which
v(>p<> inliscriminately picked by two lazy-looking, slat-
tern! v ijirK, ".ho stood lollinor their elbows on the edjje
<>r a piitly opened drawer in front. Patty, the cook,
" ,1-! regalini^ herself at a separate t;!.l)le with the remains
(ir.Hurkej', and' sundry other delicac'es, together with
a liissing jug of flip, and a tumbler of " whisky-toddy,
to deegest tlie veetals, awfter they were eaten."

" This is Christmas time," whi?pcred Arthur to Jane,
as they stood beside the crackling, and blazing Iiearth,
'.vhioh sent out a heat sufficient to roa.st an o.v ; " thnt
is some excuse for the wasteful jirofusion you rve. Our
.lomestics, I believe, would not think it (Christmas if
they could not do as they like with provision.':. They
will not act according to the spirit of honesty, but only
to the letter — they think themselves just so long as they
do not break the law of the country. To confess the
truth, things have gone wrong in the house ever since — '^
he checked himself with a sigh, and led Jane back into
the luxurious sitting-room.

The lustres over the sideboards (where mingled glass,
and china, and plate, glittered, without even any attempt
at arrangement) were not yet lighted; Lucy's small
organ stood open, inviting the touch, with gilt candle-
sticks fitted to the sides of the key-board ; the window-
shutters were closed for the evening, and the only lifirht
in the apartment was that dreamy and picturesque one
of firelight, cast from the glowing stove. An exquisite
setise of warmth and comfort was experienced by Jane
as tlie shadows on the roof, and walls, Uid floor, diverted
her pleased eye. . hm*.^ ■ , ,;> .

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378

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

While Arthur and Jane remained thus alone, they
had a long and interesting conversation on topics con-
cerning only themselves, the results of wliich will here-
after appear : in the meantime we shall inform ttie
reader of all that has occurred during the last two years
relating to the Pirate and his children.

The place in which they had found a retreat was a
ruined fort that had been injured in the American
war. Here they had dwelt concealed for a year, during
all which time the Pirate sutTered constantly from the
wound in his side. His illness, ^however, had been
greatly alleviated by the kindness of his son and daugh-
ter. The change from an active, hazardous, exciting
life, to one necessarily monotonous and retired, proved,
under the circumstances, less irksome than he had ex-
pected. His weakness obliged him to seek refuge in
rest, and here he could freely indulge in it without in-
terruption. His restless energies had yielded to continual
pain; he would lie reflecting for hours on his mattrass;
and when he arose, it was only, generally speaking, to
sit by the fire, and talk with his children or Haverstraw.
Two rooms of the fort remained nearly entire on the
ground story, these Merry and Toby had made " wind
and weather tight," as the latter said. One of the
rooms, furnished with goods brought from the Fearless,
made a tolerably convenient sitting-room by day, and a
cliamber tor Jane and Deborah by night; in the other
the Pirate and Clinton slept, as well as Toby and the
black, who confined themselves to its bounds at all times,
excepting only when they were invited to enter the Cap-
tain's other apartment, or when they left the ruin in
search of game. , ,

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

379

As the Pirate had planned their mode of living, pre-
viously, so they lived, with little difference. Deborah
and Jane occasionally ventured to the nearest township,
avA purchased such necessaries as the wild forests and
hills could not supply. Clinton hunted daily; Toby
and Merry either hunted or fished; and occasionally
the Pirate himself sat in the fishing-boat to witness, if
he could not share in the sport.

Nothing occurred to disturb their comfort and tran-
quillity until thirteen months had rolled by. At the
end of that period it happened that a gentleman, verging
on ninety, was riding with his servant and a dog, a few
miles from the ruin, when a snow-drift coming on thev
were both in imminent danger of perishing. The gen-
tleman being infirm, through his great age, was unable
to proceed at a quick pace ; and after losing his road,
and becoming benumbed with cold so that he could
scarcely support himself in his saddle, his servant gal-
lopped off, with the professed intention of bringing him
assistance, which, however, never came. The horse
wandered on of its own accord, and took a wild anil
dangerous path, leading up hill to the fort.

Cautiously the animal waded along through the ocean-
like snow, which effaced every human track, over holes,
branches, and faPen trees. On a sudden it stopped, its
feet were put out a step, then drawn back with signs of
fear — the sagacious creature was on the edge of a gap
filled up with soft snow, in which both horse and rider
would have been engulph,ed in a moment. At the same
time the dog raised a long and melancholy howl.

The unfortunate gentleman was insensible to Itts
perilouB condition ; his slowly -circulating blood con-

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380

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

geale<l in his aged limbs; the upper part of his body
had fallen down on the shoulders of his good mare, and
he only held on by a feeble grasp of the mane.

The howling wind swept on terrifically over the awful
sc3no. Clouds of la poudre, as the Canadians term it,
iyav)' light, fine, hard-frozen snow, a sort of powder,)
were drifted up into the air, and carried along for miles,
covering every tiling, and concealing the whole face of
the country. The hurricane also frequeully sent whole
trees wliistling through the atmosphere. The roar of
the elements — the bewildering drifts of snow — and the
excessire cold — soon bound the senses of the doomed
traveller in oblivion, lie was first languid, and then
seized with an ungovernable propensity to sleep; in
this state ho slipped down from tho sadJio, the horse
quietly and gradually sinking beside him, and the dog
ne-stling bc!tvve(>n them. ,'> . , '. .r- - / ► ■ ; '

An hour passed— another — and still another — and \x\\
three were buried in graves of snow ! t > , . . , , '

The howling of the tlug had been heard by the inmates
of the ruin, and Clinton, with Merry and Haverstraw,
all three bearing torches, came out, and looked on all
s'des, but failed in descrying the dying traveller. Twice
iliey returned into their place of shelter, and tvvice,
entreated by Jane, renewed their search. At length
the horse's head above the snow caught the eye of
Clinton ; and calling on Toby and the black to follow
hinn, he, with great danger to himself, made his way
to the spot. The three with much difficulty succeeded,
alller an hour of exertion, in dragging out the unfortunate
gentleman, and conveyed him to the fort.

As suoLius the Pirate looked on him he beoamu much

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

bPI

excited, and muttered to himself in French. The stranger
was le sieur Marquis de Rougemont, who had adopted
him when he was a child, edacated him, and madD hiffl
the inheritor of his estates, until a too proud and un-
Dtnding spirit led him to desert his munificent friend.

" Ah, mon ami ! mon ami !" exclaimed the Pirate,
nanging over the lifeless body, " would to God I had
never left you 1 Try every thing you can think of,
Toby, to restore him. This was my benefactor ! — my
more than father ! This was the man who took me, a
wretched, starving orphan, and would have made me
rich, and noble, and happy, had I not flung his benefits

a.wH^

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Every available means of restoring circulation in th<!
Marquis' body was tried for twenty-four successive
hours in vain. Life was totally extinct. The body was.
Mashed and laid out in a dilapidated apartment of the
fort adjoining the two habitable rooms, and then the
Pirate consulted with his friends on the best means of
conveying it to his residence.

But the Marquis might notPuive dwelt in the mansion
in which the Pirate had been broufjht rx) : he miffht,
perhaps, liave parted wnh it, and removed to another
estate. This conjecture was strengthened by the fact of
his having been travelling in this district, at hi-" advanced
age, with a single servant only, on hoiseback, (for the
baronial mansion of his ancestors was situate moro tiion
two himilred miles from here, in Lower Carrada) and he
was so little partial to distant journeys, that tlje Pirate
had never known him go otFhie own grounds. '"'"
I Jane proposed that the pockets of the deceased no-
bleman's dreas should be examined, as there might be

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382

THE CANADFAN GIRL.

sometliing in them which would remove the difficulty,
and serve to direct them how to proceed. This was
done, but nothinp; was found in them except a leathern
purse, nearly filled with gold and silver dollars, of which
the Pirate took careful chargre.

A constant look out was now kept for any persons who
might be in search for the Marquis ; and on the third
da" after the sad event, four horsemen were seen crossing
the plain which stretched below the hill on which the
fort stood. They sometimes stopped and alighted,
walking on in different directions, with eyes turned to
the snow-covered ground for a considerable distance.
Then mounted again, and ascended the heights which
bordered the plain, always keeping separate, yet con-
tinually communicating with each other by shouts, which
. seemed those of anxious inquiry and reply, rather than
of huntsmen, or of persons riding for pleasure.

As they gallopped up the wild, hilly tract on which
the ruin stood, they were called upon to stop, and Clin-
ton, approaching the first rider, who halted, inquired if
they were searching for a gentleman who had been lost
in the snow-drift. They rejdied in the affirmative, and
he simply stated the circumstance of his finding the
body, and led them to the place where the horse and dog
still lay dead. The animals were recognised by the
horsemen immediately. The horse was the one on which
the Marquis hcd left the house of his lawyer, intending
to ride to the villa of a friend with whom he had been stay-
ing. The servant who had parted from him on the plain
during the snow-storm, here, with peculiar anxiety,
looked to see if the saddle-bags had been removed from
the horse ; finding they had not, he expressed great sa-

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

iiS3

tisfaction, saying they might contain papers of value;
and accordingly he took possession of them. Clinton
then conducted the four to that part of the ruin where
the body lay ; and a light waggon, or public carriage,
having been hired from the nearest village, the venerable
corpse was covered with a blanket belonging to the
driver and slowly removed in it to the villa the servants
(for such they were) had spoken of — they riding behind
it, and Clinton following at a little distance on a hired
pony.

On the road to the villa, the man who had charge of
the saddle-bags, skilfully opened one of them with a
skeleton key, under his overcoat; and, unobserved,
drawing from the inside a thick, folded paper, rent it
across the middle, and then riding on one side the pre-
cipitous road threw the two parts over the rocks.

Clinton had been by no means satisfied with this man's
eagerness to get the saddle-bags, and more than once
he had caught his eye fixed on him, or on the other
three riders, with suspicion, as if he feared their obser-
vation. When Clinton, therefore, caught sight of the
pieces of paper flying out of his apparently careless hand
down the precipice, an involuntary impulse determined
him to return to that place before an hour should pass,
and by some means or other to pick up the pieces and
examine them. Without intending it, he had closely
watched this person over since he had seen him ; and no
felt convinced, that whatever that paper contained, it
had been taken out of the saddle-bags. He had not
seen them opened certainly, but he had seen the man
fumbling with both hands under the largo skirts of the
coat which covered thcni. . . . ., >• ••

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384

THE (AN/.DTAN OIP.L.

Once or twice Clinton would havecliidecl his suspicions
as fanciful, and without rational grounds, but present!/
a peculiar look of the suspected individual, made up of
villainy, fear, and shame, confirmed him in his opinions.
The wanfffon had not jjone many miles further, thereforr^,
before Clinton made an excuse to ride back, promising
to overtake the horsemen presently.

But a bend in the road passed. ;ind Clinton galloped
otT, nor stopped until he reached the very place where
the torn paper had disa])pearcd. Bringing the pony
as close to the edge as he durst, he stooped, and sent his
•rlance down among the rocks and trees to the ravin
l)olow. One of thelragments he perceived lying behind
a great block of limestone, fifty feet down ; and the other,
still lower, flying hither and thither over the snow-
hcapod channel of a rivulet, at the sport of the winds.

\Vith some trouble he discovered a part where the
precipice was less upright, and consisted of a series of
rocks, each lower than the other. Not hesitating a mo-
ment, he threw himself from t e pony and made the
bridle fast to the branch of a tree, then commenced a
descent, and, with that daring and skill which he had
often employed in such enterprises for his mere amuse-
ment, succeeded in reaching the bottom. He was not
long in securing one of the fragments, which he eagerly
opened, when the following words in French met his
transported eye: —

" IN the name of the Holy Trinity, the

'■ Blessed Virgin, and all the Company

of Saints — Amen.

" 1, LOUIS JEAN LAWRENCE, Le Sieur Marquis

de Rougemont, holding my Estates free of all

TIIR CANADIAN OlRt..

383

seigiiorial rights and duties, franc aleu iwhle, &c.,
ao give and bequeath unto NICHOLAS JEVN
ANDERSON, the son of Marie Verche, tie-
ceased, formerly a nun of the Convent of St. Clare,
in Quebec, and condemned by her superior to per-
petual penance and imprisonment for having broken
her vow of celibacy. Which JJICHOL AS JEAN
ANDERSON was first the reputed son of Paul
Levi, and Joan, his wife, who died, leaving him
destitute of any provision in his infancy; whereupon
he was taken into the cottage of a poor woman on
my estate, named Baptista Cercy, from whom I
took him, and adopted him, making him my lawful
heir, and the inheritor of my title and effects. The
• same NICHOLAS JEAN ANDERSON left me
of his own will and accord when in his twenty-fifth
year ; and, as I have been certainly informed, h.is
twice served as a common sailor, and afterwards as
a second and first mate, in an emigrant vessel be-
tween the Canadas and the British Islands. To that
same NICHOLAS JEAN ANDERSON, or, in
case of his death, to his eldest son, if such he have,
I hereby give and bequeath the whole of my Estates
and other property, including money in banker^s
hands, and rents due to me — all I am possessed of
whatsoever or where — '*
We may imagine Clinton was not slow in finding the

second fragment, which read on thus : —

" soever, excepting only the following annuities."
Here appeared the names of every servant in the

Marquis' household, with liberal sums allotted to each ;

the names of his executors, and the money they were to

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THE CANADIAN OIRL.

receive. Then the important document concluded
tims: —

" And to Henriqub Detroit, formerly the tutor of
NICHOLAS JEAN ANDERSON, in my house
at Rougemont, I give and bequeath all the books
which are in my principal library, bui not in my
private library, together with one thousand dollars,
and one of the farms on my estate, whichever he
chooses to select, subject only to the lawful fines
and dues which he shall pay to NICHOLAS JEAN
ANDERSON, as my successor in the seigniory, or
to,&c. And I do require that NICHOLAS JEAN
ANDERSON, or his eldest son, if such be have,
take possession of my estates in the names and
titles only of LOUIS JEAN LAWRENCE, U
Sieur MARQUIS de ROUGEMONT. And if in
seven years from the period of my demise, NICHO-
LAS JEAN ANDERSON, or his eldest son, are
not to be found, then all my estates shall go to that
male person who can prove himself nearest of kin
to me, on condition that he adopt my names and
titles as aforesaid."
r The will was not witnessed, and Clinton suspected
that it was merely the rough draft of an instrument in-
tended to be made more complete, and that to put that
instrument in hand had been the Marquis' errand to
the lawyer on the day when he lost his life.

The document Clinton held in his hand appeared to
be in the Marquis' own handwriting, and on the back
was a very accurate description of the Pirate's face and
figure, which it was likely the deceased nobleman had
intended should be incorporated in the will.

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

381

It was with a kind of delirium that Clinton climbed
the rocks and regained the road above, where he redo
ofT to fina, if he could, that lawyer whose name he luckily
remembered hearing the horsemen mention.

He found him near, and opened to him his business
in a state of intense excitement The professor of liti-
gation was a man very superior to his brethren in gene-
ral. »ie entered into the subject with much interest,
discarding every useless formality of manner. He re-
gretted the Marquis' death much, and undertook to
swear, whenever he should be called upon to do so, that,
the torn paper Clinton had had the good fortune to pick
up, was in the Marquis' own handwriting, and was the
latest document of the kind existing. The Marquis had
shown him (the lawyer) that paper three days ago, and
his clerk had copied it, the copy being now in his desk.
He was to have visited the Marquis at the villa of his
friend on that day week on which he had seen him, in
order to witness a proper legal instrument, and to see it
signed and sealed. The ^friend of the Marquis, and
Henrique Detroit, the former tutor of the appointed
inheritor, were also to have been witnesses to the will.

Having received this information, Clinton asked the
legal gentleman if he would undertake the cause of
Nicholas Jean Anderson, his father. The lawyer replied
he would willingly do so, and had no doubt at all of a
speedily successful issue, provided he was furnished with
sufficient proofs that the alleged Nicholas Anderson
really was thp individual described by the Marquis. *

Thus furnished, Clinton returned to the ruined fort,
and amaaed his father and sister with the surprising
intelligence. Not a moment was lost ; the Pirate ven-

;-fcS

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

tureJ, at tlie earnest request of his children, to visit the
lawyer, who, after closely cross-questioning him for .an
hour, taking notes of all his answers, assured him that
he himself was perfectly satisfied he was the individual
named by the Marquis, and that he should particularly
exert himself to make good his rightful claim. He was
secretly persuaded that Henrique Detroit was in some
way concerned in the attempt to destroy the Marquis'
will. But it would be best to remain perfectly quiet on
the transaction until after the funeral.

The lawyer's advice was implicitly followed, and the
conduct of the whole affair left to him. He did iiot
disappoint his anxious clients. The body of the Mar-
quis was remov^ed in a shell to his own estate 1 1 Rouge-
mont. Lower Canada, from which he had come, for the
first time in Hfty years, solely to take his last leave of
the proprietor of a villa (who was also aged, and a
wealthy widower, without family), and to prepare his
will.

The lawyer followed to the disputed seignorie, and
lodged the Pirate near at hand, in a private place,
whence he might be able to produce him at a fitting
time.

After the funeral, as he had anticipated, Henrique
Detroit brought forward a will, dated ten years back, in
which he was appointed the possessor of the Marquis*
M'ealth. There was at first but one dissentient voice — it
was that of the proprietor of the villa, who stated that
his friend had showed him, on his late visit, a will
written with his own hands, appointing one Nicholas
Jean Anderson his heir: and that will he was readv to
swear, he was to nave signed and witnessed, with th^

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

3S0

lawyer and Henrique Detroit, only ten days previious to
their present meeting. He appealed to the honour and
honesty of Detroit if this was not true.

The advocate of Detroit made the reply. " The question
was not what ihe Marquis might have intended to do, or
what he began to Jo, but what he had done. Here was
an undoubted will — could any proved document be
brought to supersede it 1'* i ' "

The lawyer now arose, and silently laid upon the
table the paper which the servant had torn, together
with a copy of the same, dated the day of the Marquis'
death. At the first sight of these Detroit turned ex-
cessively pale, and a motion was heard in the back of
the room, as if some dne were hastily passing out.

'* Detain him! let him not pass!" exclaimed the
lawyer ; *' I command that he be detained !"

The guilty servant was brought back, trembling and
shrinking, with the most intense fear painted on every
quivering feature.

" I was forced to do it — I was forced to do it,*' he
stammered.

The lawyer explained the scene to all present, while
the alarmed tool of a villain stood by, quaking in the
grasp of two of his fellow domestics.

" Who forced you to do it? Speak the truth, and
you may escape a severe punishment," said the lawyer.
The fellow pointed to Detroit, who, springing up in a
violent rage, exclaimed —

*' He is a consummate liar!" and would have gone
away, but was prevented.

" Detroit promised me money if I would get hold of
the paper and burn it," stammered the servant ; ** and

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THB CANiDTAN OIRL.

threatened me if I betrayed him. I could not bum th^
will — I had no opportunity — ^but I threw it over the
precipice."

" You will repent this," muttered Detroit, his face
livid and convulsed — " you will repent this."

" Take care that neither of them escape, and remove
them out of hearing," said the lawyer.

When this had been done he sent privately for the
Pirate.

" Now, gentlemen," said he, "I will produce the
true inheritor of these estates — Nicholas Jean Anderson,
himself. You see on this paper of the Marquis' writing
a description of the man's person. Judge for yourselves,
whether his appearance does not answer to it, making
due allowance for the alterations that twenty-five years
(the period which has elapsed since the Marquis saw
him) must have produced."

The Pirate's arrival was privately announced, and the
Marquis' description having, as the lawyer took care to
observe, been read by every gentleman in the room, gave
directions that Anderson should enter among several of
the servants, without introduction.

Taller than any of the curious domestics who pressed
near to survey him by nearly a head, of the most accu-
rate and massive proportions, the Pirate was at once re-
ceived by the assembly as an individual to whom the
Marquis' description would remarkably apply. A num-
ber of questions were asked him concerning his former
life in this mansion, which he answered satisfactorily.
The number of rooms in the mansion, the -situation of
those he had occupied, the names of the servants of
the establishment at the time he was in it, the name

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

391

oi the Marquis* priest, (since dead) who formerly ofK<
ciated at the private chapel and confessional, with many
other minute particulars, that no one, but a resident of
the house, could have possibly known, he stated with a
clearness and precision that convinced all present.

He was then requ0steid to retire to a separate room,
which he did. ' •.^*' .k i ,: i ..

" One test that may complete the presumptive evi-
dence in favour of his identity," said the lawyer, " re-
mains. Let the servants stand collected together in
thi' room, and place Henrique Detroit in the midst of
(hem; then let the supposed Nicholas Anderson be
orought in. If he is the person we suppose, he will re-
cQomise his old tutor, and Detroit will know him. But
1 must caution you, that it is probable Detroit may cun-
ningly affect ignorance of him, in order to obtain his
ends, therefore let his countenance, at the first moment
of their seeing each other, lie closely observed."

To this test the advocate had no objection, and much
curiosity was manifested as to its success.

At the Pi raters second entrance into the room, his
eye glanced along the line of servants without emotion —
he had not perceived Detroit. But the latter, who had
not the self-possession of a skilful hypocrite, nor the
wariness of a practised rogue, lost himself — ^large beads
of sweat stood on his forehead, and he sank down on a
chair, incoherently muttering — "Why is he come here?
—who brought him here ? — ^there is nothing for him !
— the estates are mine ! — ^mine .'—mine !" and as the
last word was repeated in a loud, gasping manner, he
rolled on the floor in a strong fit

As soon as the Hrate heard the voice he turned short

THE CANADIAN CinL.

i' •»

round, and fixed his haughty glance on the consclencs-
stricken scholar.

** There is the man who can prove to you who I am,'*
said he, steadily pointing, and speaking to the gentle-
men. ' ''

" Who do you mean ?" inquired the advocate.

" I mean Henrique Detroit — who was the cause of
my quitting my honoured benefactor twenty-five years
ago,'' replied the Pirate. " He cannot face me, I see !
I now suspect that he always designed to rob me of the
favours of the marquis, and I tell him so to his face !'^

The struggles of Detroit on the floor were' such that
four men-servants could scarcely hold him. The room
was in confusion. As soon as he had a litT ^ recovered,
he called out for " Fathor Donoghue ! — Father Donog-
hue !" The present priest of the household immediately
left the table, and, stooping beside him, held the cross
to his lips, charging him, in the most solemn language,
to confess the4ruth, and be content with the bequest that
was lawfully his.

" I give it all up— I give it all up !" gasped the
frightened Detroit. *' I am dying! — Lord help me!
Give me absolution. Father Donoghue, and I give it all
up!" I <

** Do you acknowledge this man,'* (pointing to the
Pirate) " to be Nicholas Jean Anderson V*

" Yes — yes; — I do — I do; — ^he is Anderson, 1 know.
Yes — ^yes. Give me absolution — I am dying — I give it
all up I"

" And do you acknowledge him to be the Marquis'
lawful heir, as stated in the paper which the wicked ser-
vant, whom you bribed, endeavoured to destroy ?"

THE CANADIAN OIRL

aas

*' Yes — yes — yes. The Marquis always loved him.
Hut 1 hoped — oh, give me absolution! — I am dying!
I repent — I repent— I give it .ill up !"

" We arc perlbctly satisfied," said the gentlemen
present, " all, and we sincerely congratulate the new
Marquis, and hope the tenants of Rougemont will find
their new seignor as liberal as their former one."

The Pirate bowed his thanks, and the lawyer proceeded
to see his fortunate client invested with his property in
full by the proper legal processes.

Before tliree montlis had passed, the ruined fort had
been once more left to solitud*^ jnd desolation, and the
fugitive inniatts dwelt in t!ie stately baronial mansion
of the seigniory of Rougemont.

Detroit recovered, rtrceived the former Marquis' be-
quest, and, apparently ashamed of the part he liad acteo,
retired into seclusion. He, as well as the man he had
employed so basely, by the Pirate's intervention on their
behalf, were permitted to escape the punishment they
justly deserved. , .....

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Cl! APTI'R XXIV.

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Tliero never' wns ;i stmy of more woe,
Tliaii lliis if Juliet iiiiil liei- llomeo !"

SSHOiiTLs after the Pirate's elevation to his preseM
brilliant i'urtune, he found a manuscript in the former
Ma Ellis' handwriting, directed " To the son of my be-
loved Marie Verche, Nicholas Jean Anderson." Thftse
wortls surprised the Pirate, and he carefully examined
the papers. The writing was uneven, as if the hand
had been agitated that penned it, and here and 1%«ve
were marks as if tears had fallen on it. The Pirate had
been goino^ to rest when he began to read, but so deeply
intermtod was ho in the cotite\jts of the manuscript, that
morn'mg dawned into his chamber before ho laid it

douu.

At six o'tlock he went into his sou's room and awoko

him. " Here is something that has affected me "reativ,
Nieliolas,"' said he; " read it;" and, laying the manu-
script on the bed, went away as quickly as he had
entered.

Clinton raised himself on his olbow, and, with hasty
curiosity, turned over the vellowed leaves; then his at-

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

tontion being rivetted perused the followin* »arrativ«
with no less earo than rapidity : —

" My son> for such you are, not by adoption merely,
but also by birtli, real the unvarnished story of your
parents' sorrows — sorrows of no ordinary character.

" I was the last descendant on my father's side from
an ancient French family, in which the government of
Canada was once vested.

" You have often heard me speak of the tim«s of »ny
youth when Canada belonged to France. British settlers
were located along the edge of the shores of the St. Law-
rence, and in this exposed situation subject to peculiar
dangers, which roused their mother country on their
behalf. Thus originated the war which led to the rum
of the French dominion here. Among the causes which
conspired to bring about that change may be mentioned
these: — '"*^ • 'v>

" France and England had been at war in Europe,
and the two nations were remarkably jealous of eac^
other. The British-Canadian settlers »ere heitstics, too,
and we French-Canadian catholics forgot that charity
is the best part of religion. Tn European-France the
protestants had been rather cruelly dealt with, and of
course the protestants of Canada, in common with their
brethren everywhere, felt aggrieved. This was not all ;
the boundaries of the respective dominions of France
and England in Canada, were disputed by both parties ;
pnd the settlers living on the disputed frontiers (who
were principally, if not wholly, British) suffered ex-
tremely from the sanguinary conflicts which attended
the quarrel. There was a third party of great conse-
Muenoe, the natives of the so'^ — the r^d men or Indians

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THE CANADIAN UlRL.

— >7ho, as they felt disposed, took part with one or nttier
of tbe combatants, and their asi-istance was valued at a
high rate by both. . i ..

'* I was in my tenth year wlien the last French go-
vernor .'n Canada, aided by the co-operation of my brave
father, >''ho was at the head of a distinguished regiment,
upheld the pretensions of his country in these provinces
with so auch success. You will remember my telling
you, Nicholas, that it was my father who caused the
English arn.y, under the incautious but intrepid General
Braddock, to be entrapped in a narrow deflle of the Al-
leghany mountains, where they perished by thousands
as well as their leader, under a deadly fiie poured from
French ambuscades. You know that the (afterwards)
great George W'^ashington was then second in command
over the British army, and that he rescued the remnant
of Braddock's troops.

** Often have 1 had occasion to dwell on the events
that followed. Wiushington was joined with six thousand
other troops, and mj father, with only half that number,
attacked them — fought with them hand to hand for four
hours, and only surrendered when he was mortally
wounded. •?: -i, t. "•!: . vs i.»,ii, !;,' ..-, .

" His renowned death made a wonderful impression an
me. I forsook all my juvenile sports and employments,
and burned, witli the uiuliscrimiuating ardour of a boy,
to revenge his fall on t'le English. My motiier was a
high-minded woman, full 'jf noble and strong aflections.
Her only enjoyment was to converee with tne of him
whom she had lost.

" As I approached my twentieth year, I panted (o
emulate my father's glory in the martial field. England

ThB CANADIAN GIRL.

«97

■^

and France had sent out each her best General, Wolfe
and de Montcalm, with choosen troops — tlie one to in-
vade the province and obtain forcible possession of it,
the other to defend in order to retain it. My mother
with her own hands buckled my father's sword upon my
side, and said to me — ' None but women and children
may be neutral now. Go, Louis, to the defence of om-
great citadel of Quebec! Your noble father earned ;in
honourable fame in war, do you imitate his courage ! —
but take care that you do not sully his sword by thu
blood of the helpless. Copy his magnanimity as well as
his bravery, and shun every dishonourable advaTit;i<>o
more than you would your death.* I kissed the dear
liaiid that had bestowed the coveted prize ; and, graspinc^
the invaluable sword, hoped that heaven might favour
mo according as I observed her words. ' My Louis,*
said she, * in sending you to win a soldier's laurels, [
know that I am sending you to encounter a soldier's
perils also. Alas ! I may never behold you again — ^yonr
(iither's fate may be yours.' As she said this the tears
streamed down her face, and she drew me with a strong
embrace to her maternal bosom. We parted with mu-
tual agony. I hastened to Quebec to the head-quartcMs
of the Major-general de Montcalm, who was preparing
to defend the citadel with all the skill and force he could
command. The French banners were then proudly
floating from the extensive battlements of that ma.jostic
rock Cape Diamond, on which the distinguished fortress
stands — in a few days they were trampled in dust to give
place to the colours of the victorious British. Iv^

" * I have hoard much of ymir fiitlier since [ came
h; re, vounff Marquis,' said de M-nkulm to me, when

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THE CASIT^US GliiL.

I was presented to him by a veteran friend, * and I cati
easily believe, from your appearance, what I have been
told, that you inherit his gallant spirit, and are desirous
of distinguishing yourself. I will give you every oppor-
tunity for doing so. Your friend here shall convey my
directions to you before night.' I bowed and retired,
and the same evening I found myself entrusted with a
post of equal honour and danger on the banks of tlio
St. Lawrence. Nearly thirteen thousand troops wito
ranged along the shore to prevent the landing of Wolfe
and his army.

" Numbers of the weaker part of the population of the
city had removed from the theatre of action to places
more secure, but among those who remained were tlio
nuns of the convent of St. Clare. Terrible was the
action that took place between the besiegers and the
besieged; the destructive fire from the English ships of
war soon laid the lower town in ruins, and greatly in-
jured the batteries above, while our party cannonaded
the vessels on the water with such irresistible effect tiiat
Wolfe was driven back with great loss. , . .

" In that hour of wild confusion and dismay, '^o
convent of St. Clare was seen to be on fire, and 1, with
others, hastened to assist in rescuing the sisters, and to
remove them to the top of Cape Diamond, where the
" citadel stood still secure, prelecting the buildings within
its circuit. All the ladies, as was thought, had been
assisted from the burning walls by the religious fathers
who had come to the spot at imminent personal risk, *■
when the roof fell in with a crash, and at the same mo-
ment a loud shriek pierced my ears, I flew round to the
garden of the convent, aid, forcing an entrance, ap-

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

399

proached the sraokiug building, one wing of which was
still unscathed, although surrounded by flames. There,
at the grated window of a cell, not far from the ground,
I saw two bare white arras stretched out imploringly,
and again and again the harrowin<; shriek arose. I
called out loud enough for the perilled person to hear —

* Have a nioiuent's patience, madam, and you will bo
sa'e!' . . . • ••

*' ' Ah ! how can it be, chevalier,' responded the most
melodious voice that ever sounded on my ears, in de-
spairing accouts — ' how can it be ? The cell is insuffer-
aUly hot, and filling tvith smoke, and the staircase is on
fire!' .

" • Support yourself, madam,' I hurriedly repeated,

* I will save you at any hazard !'

*' * There is a ladder at the bottom of the garden,
dievalier !' cried the lad}- ; ' bo so good as fetch it!'

" I was not slow in obeying her; and. having planted
it firmly against the cell-window, I mounted, and
wrenched out the middle bar so as to permit the egress
of a fine, although very slender, figure, the beauty of
which not even her coarse and unsightly habit could
conceal. In her haste and trepidation while coming
down the ladder she missed one of the steps, and sprained
her foot so that she fell to the jjround.

'* I assisted her to rise, but after taking a few steps
forward she found that even with the assistance of ray
arm she could get no further than a school-house in the
garden, where she sat down in pain. The brassy glare
of light from the burning convent, there enabled us to
view each other, which I believe we did with equal
curiosity. The youthful nun (for she appeared no

400

THB CANADIAN OIBl-

more than sixteen or seventeen years of age), seefmea
to me beautiful as a vision ! etlicroally fair and pale, and
delicately moulded ' At one gl.ince her image was
stamped on my soul for ever. Sweet Marie Verche !
never saw I aught of human birth thy equal ! Never
shalt thou be forgotten ! Old age shall not rob me of the
memory of thy loveliness ! The last moment of my de-
caying years shall find thy name on my lips! and I
know that when I step from the troubled sea of time
upon the green and peaceful shores of eternit}', thou
wilt bo the first to bid me welcome !

" I brought a priest, who was still in front of the
fonvent, round to tlie garden, and delivered up to him
the young lady. Artillery was then pealing around—
the air was charged with combustibles.

" * I am old, and slow of foot," said the bewildered
father to me, * I am not able to help our pious sister to
the Upper town, especially as she is lame. Here we
must not stay ; every moment threatens us with death.
Chevalier, be pleased to support the maid to the monas-
tery, where the sisters of St. Clare are already safely
lodged. — ^We must, alas ! yield to urgent necessity.'

" A volley of fire from the river, more awful than any
that had preceded it, because more immediately near to
us, drove away every thought and feeling from the young
nun's mind, excepting those only of extreme terror. 1
{ipproached her as if she were a shrined saint, and, taking
her up in my arms, bore her as fast as I was able up the
very steep street which winds to the summit of Capo
Diamond.

" Within the walls of the Upper town she was com-
paratively safe, but I did not leave her until 1 saw her

ill .' 1

THE CANADIAN OfRL.

401

restored to her companions, who had only just discovered
that she was missinof. As I was bearlnu; her into the
monastery where the sisters were, she threw over my
neck her rosary and cross, and whispered with the
sweetest emphasis — * Chevalier, you have saved my life
Marie Vercho will not forget it. Tell me your name,
that I may remember it in my orisons.*

*' ' My name is Lawrence, madam,* I replied, * but
I am hotter known as the Marquis of Rouj^emont.'

" She echoed the name, and repeated it twice, as if to
fix it in her memory. As I was leaving her in the par-
lour, slie whispered— ' '^

" ' Adieu, Marquis of Rougemont — I shall never
forgot you ! I hope you will be preserved througii tms
siecfe ! 1 will pray for it!* ""^ ' >

"*1 thank you,* said I; * and believe me 1 shall
never forget Marie Verche. . '

" * Yes,* said she, smiling with the innocent plea-
santry of a seraph, * that is my name ; you have qaick
ears, Marquis of Rougemont. Marie Verche I am
named, and I hope you will think of me, whom you
have preserved, sometimes.*

" * Alwct; "VI ejaculated, and hastened back to mj
commandei' and friend, de Bougainville, who had sent
me to assist the nuns.

" I was quitting the Jesuits* monastery, whon I en-
countered a messenger of the Major-general, and every
thought of Marie V rche was banislied fnim my minj
by a summons to tht , esenceof do Montcalm.

" * Young Maiquis,' said he, stepping from a circle
of officers to speak to me, ' I am proud to distinguish
you as one of the best soldiers of this successful day.

3 V

TMK CANADIAN GinL.

i m

■

■tl

You will find yourself now appointed to a post even
more impcrtsnt than that you lately held.'

" I bov»ed low, and left the presence with a heart
nerved to the utmost by the flattering enconium I had
recelvel. ' My dear mother!' I ejaculated, as 1 paced
my room in the garrison, * this will be joy indeed to
you ! I shall imitate ray father's bravery and humanity
as you told me — yes, mother, I shall return to you, J.
hope and trust, with laurels of ray own winning, to add
to those which I have inherited.'

" You, Nichoas, must not accuse me of a paltry vanity
in thus dwelling on the praise 1 received from the greal
de Montcalm, many circumstances in which self«love
has no part, make me love to dwell upon it. ■

" My duty, I found, was now to watch the retreating
enemy. I had to ride along the shore of the St. Law-
'•enco with my men throughout the night. It was Sep-
teraber; the night was more brilliant than any 1 had
ever seen : no daylight was ever brighter : the smallest
leaf and pebble on the ground were as distin^^uishable as
at mid-noon. Mine was then the poetry of existence.
I was buoyant with youth, and health, and hope. The
beauties of creation were then first unfolding themselves
before my mind, and the witcheries of sentiment and
feeling before my heart. The varied moonlit landscape
throvi^,h which 1 rode that night, seemed infinitely more
charming than ever it has seemed since. ^. magical
sweetness was resting on every object, but much of that
sweetness was cast from my own young aspiring bosom.
Glory !— the nun! — my mother I — ray ancient and be-
loved home ! — my father's sword ! these were the prin-
cipal topics which employed my exulting and wandering

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

403

thouglitii. Early m the morning my small party were
surrounded by a band of Indians in the British pay,
whose yells, and war-whoops, burst horribly on our
ears when we least expected them. Numbers over-
powered us, and with sickness of heart I saw all my
bright dreams of renown about to be suddenly termi-
nated. Furiously I fought, until a blow from a toma-
hawk deprived me of sense. •

" I recovered my consciousness slowly, and heard
what I supposed to be angelic music, instead of the In-
dian war-cries and the clash of arms. Presently I dis-
tinguished, rather to my disappointment, the music of
niorninfj mass, and the voicesof female choristers, sinsfins
TvS melodiously as a hundred nightingales. I o])ened
my eyes and they met the deep blue orbs of Marie
Verche. ' '"' ■ " '" ' "' '""'

*' ' Ah !' she exclaimed, suddenly clasping her hands
together, and bursting into tears, * the Marquis lives

again

(C <

Maiden,' said a stem, harsh voice, which retained
little of the feminine quality, although belonging, as 1
perceived, to the lady who had been at the head of the
St. Clare convent, ' leave the room ! I will speak to the
Marquiji nyself; this display of feeling does not become
you.'

" Such a rebuke I saw overcame the delicate girl ;
she hung her head, and looked ready to sink into the
floor. The nexc instant she was gone; and, raising
myself with difficulty on a mattrass, that was covered
with my military cloak, I expected, with impatience, the
explanation of the superior. ' ^^ « * j^i? i / i;.q.^

" ' I understand that you are le sieur Marquis of

/ '

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H
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404

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

Hougemont,' said she, addressing me with a repulsive
formality, which at that moment was particularly odious.
I assented. * Give thanks to the saints for their media-
tion on your behalf,' continued she in the same cold,
hard tone. ' You were brought hither by two soldiers,
ignorant of your name and rank, who found you four
miles from the citadel on a heap of slain. Perceiving
you to be an olTicer, and. finding that you still breathed,
they requested permission to lodge you for the present
in the church of this monastery. That permission was
granted by the revered fathers here, who had vouchsafed
to me and the nuns of St. Clare a temporary refuge.'

" ' Then I am in the monastery whither I brought the
young lady who has just left the room V said I. The
reply was in the affirmative, and I learnt that I had
been here an hour, that a monk had Juund up the
wounds in my head, and that Marie Verche had requested
to see me, on hearing that it was supposed doubtful
whether I should ever revive.

" While I was speaking with the sui)erIor, a terrible
uproar resounded through the streets without. The
affrighted nuns, disregarding my presence, rushed into
the room — the music ceased abruptly. Through an
open door I saw the brethren of the house running along
the aisles, uplifting their hands and voices in terrified
confusion. I sprang up, and, grasping the remnant oi
my father's sword, which hung broken by my side, ral-
lied my mental and bodily }X)wers, shaking off the
dizziness which embarrassed them, waved my hand to
the pale and trembling assembly, and hastened into the
open air. But as I was crossing a narrow passage that
intervened, Marie Verche threw herself before me ; the

; I

THR CANADIAN GIRL.

405

coarse veil of her order had fallen quite off* from her
head, and her flaxen hair, and her pure white neck and
A)rehead, were before me unitovered.

" * O, Marquis,' she panted, and in her agitation she
grasped one of my hands with both hers, ' do not — do
not go forth! You are seriously wounded I assure
you! Father Ambrose, who bound up your head, told
me so.' ,;,•,,; ^,, .„ .,.,. .,..,. ,, ,. ..„ . ., , , ..

" * Have you heard, Mad(!moIseIle, what is the mat-
ter V I breathlessly asked. As I spoke there was a shout
without, and I distinctly heard the cry — * The English !
—the English ! They have scaled Cape Diamond ! —
thev have reached the citadel ! — they have taken posr
session of the ramparts !*

<< < Mademoiselle, you must not detain me — for my
life I would not linger here another moment!' I cried.

*^ She sunk at my feet. * Farewell then, thou pre- •
server of my life !' she exclaimed. * Marie will see you
no more in this world ! — ^you will perish, but I will pray
that we may meet in heaven !'

** It was not a moment for hesitation. I kissed her
hand, and hurried into the street. I met my friend and
commander, de Bougainville, hurrying along. * I^uis,'
said he, with tears in his eyes, * all is over with the
French here, mark my words.' ^.

" * What do you mean V inquired I.

" * I mean what I say,' he answered, * all is over for
us. That English lion, Wolfe, has actually led his army
up the face of the rock — /tow, heaven only knows, I do
not. Three hundred and fifty feet they have climbed
while we were sleeping !'
^** * Is it possible !' I articulated, j

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THE CASAWJiS QIRL,

" * If you look down upon the plains of Abraham
you may convince yourself,' drily remarked my friend ;
and, taking my elbow, he impelled me forwards at a
quick pace, until stopping, he expressively pointed with
his fi.i!j;er down into the vale. There, indeed, I beheld
the British troops spreading themselves out nearly to
the river in battle array. Their bright sabres and ban-
ners glittered in the sun: the Scotch hiohlanders in
their strange national costume, with their heavy clay-
mores, forming no inconsiderable part of the martial show,
on which I jrazed with a soldier's admiration as well as
Avith astonishment.

" ' Bougainville, this is incredible to me !' I ex-
claimed. " What says the Major-general, could he not
have prevented them at least from obtaining this fa-
vourable position V

" ' No; but he intends to give them a pitched battle.
I am now on my waj to prepare my men for the fight,'
said my friend, coolly. '

" I could hardly believe it. I remarked that the for-
tress would defy a hundred armies, but that for us to
leave it in our weakened condition was givinfr the Eng-
lish a jjreat advantage. "* " - - ^-* « " "•«•

" ' You speak my thoughts exactly ; but I cannot
stay now to discuss the point,' said my friend — * we
shall soon see. You, Louis, I have heard, and now
perceive, are in no condition for the buttle. Shake hands
— wo part — perhaps for a long time! I fought with
your gallant father, and for his sake I value you; 1
wish you a reputation as high as his — higher you could
hardly hope for."

** But I insisted on going with de Bougainville to the

TIIR CANADIAN GIRL.

*nAi

field. The results of that battle all the civillsetl world
know. The French and English generals both fell mor-
tally wounded, while advancins: on the last deadly charge
at th^ head of their respective troops. An obelisk is
now erected on the spot to their united memories.
Wolfe died exulting that he heard the French were
flj'ing, and Montcalm rejoicing that he should not live
Jo see the surrender of Quebec. My friend, also, fell —
and the English were masters of the Canadas ! '.

" No sooner did I see that we had entirely lost the day,
than I liurried to the citadel, and, finding all the doors
of the Jesuits monastery open, and the interior in dis-
order, entered, and anxiously sou^lit to assure myself
of the safety of the nuns. The domestics of the house,
a few superannuated brethren, and a number of the lay
people of ihi neighbourhood, were talking loudly and
confusedly in the church — they dispersed into the streets,
one und all, when they heard that the city was taken.
I pushed open the door of a room that led from the
church — Marie was there alone, kneeling before a cru-
cifix. The sound of my spurs on the marble pavement,
caused her to look up. Her very pale face faintly flushed
— sudden j')y irradiated it — she sprang up, and cried —

•' * You live — you are safe ! I see you again, when I
had given up hope.' I inquired after the sisters, she
replied they were just leaving the monastery by the back
gate, under tlie prcUction of some of the brethren who
had returned from the field of battle, whither they had
gone to urge the French soldiers on against the heretic
English. Marie had lingered hero to supplicale the
Virgin, she said, for her preserver, but every moment
she expected a message. 1 told her that a single mouient

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f I

111:

408

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

Helayerl liere might be the means of exposing her to tho
insults of the English soldiers, who already were in the
streets, flushed with victor^', as with wine.

" ' I will go immediately, ' said she, moving to the
door in alarm. ' Then go with me!' said I, eagerly; * I
hnve a horse at hand — 1 will place you in safety where-
ever you please — only let nie protect you from this place !
On my honour — on my soul — 1 will take you wherever
you choose.' * I am sure I do not doubt you,' said she,
with charming simplicity, produced by perfect ignorance
of the world; * but — ' I took advantage of her look of
hesitation, and bore her away.

*' I solemnly assure you I had then no intentioD of
persuading her to break her sacred vows. She had
indeed made a deep impression on me, but the sin of
sacrilege was too awful in my sight to permit me to give
way to one serious thought of her.

" I stopped with Marie at a tavern a few miles from
Quebec, and engaged a private room. I had previously
enveloped her figure in my cloak, so that her nun's
habit could not be seen. We had found a crowd at tho
''oor of the house expecting news of the battle, and when
I had told them of the overthrow of the French, ihev
became too much occupied in discussing the prospects
of the province under a new government to trouble us
much with their notice, especially as three other flying
French soldiers rode up to them immediately after nje,
and fastened all their attentions by a very extravagant
description of the great event in question.

*• Tho good people were so deeply engaged, that nearly
an hour ])asscd beforo the refreshments I had ordered
lor Marie wove brought in to us. I employed the time

^-v—

TUB CANADIAN GIRL.

40d

iqi ^ndeavour'ng to calm her mind, and in drawing froiQ
fyer some account of her connexions and of her entrance
into the convent of St. Clare. I learnt that she was thp
Qrph^n daughter of a Portuguese gentleman, in good
circumstances, who, in his last sickness, sent her, then a
child, to thi« convent, with a considerable sum of money,
which, it Marie took tho veil, was to be at the disposal
of the superior, but which, if Marie chose to marry, was
to belong to her husband. Marie had bad little induce-
niLMit to quit the convent, knowing no one without the
Willis, and though the rigours of the rules of her order
were peculiarly trying to her delicate frame, yet the
friendships she had formed with the sisters had lightened
her feeling of them, and made a garden in the desert
of her life. ■ > ■^--sAiwilh iin.JliJ ai wvoino vuu tun

" The superior, Marie turned pale as she named'.
She was, Marie said, a woman very strict in enforc-
ing the rules of her house, and very severe Against
an ofl&nding sisten She was feared much more than
loved; indeed Marie had not known one sister who'
loved her; yet, as if my lovely nun thought she haa
done wrong in so speaking jf her, she took care to im-
))ress u}K)n me, that this person, in spite ef her hard,
cold, nay, cruel temper, wat< very pious, very talented,
and surprisingly energetic and resolute. I said nothing
that might alarm the scrupulous conscience of Hfjirie,
but formed my own conclusions.

" After she had taken part of a gla^s of wine, and a
little spiced Indian cake, which was all I could urge
upon her, I returr^d her confidence, by entering into^'
particulars concerning myself and my family. Her eyes
glistened with a senDibility that was most gralifyinn; U

3 G

rl'

rii! }

410

THK CANAOIAIf GIRC

me, as 1 dwelt onr my father^s diaalli, and on the exalted
friendship that hadi n^wiys existed between my mother
and me. Perhaps nothing bound me to her more than
the quickness wit^ which> £ saw she appreciated my
mother's character. . • .; . < | if la r.ln , > i.'il-i'

" * How I should love such' a woman t^<-how I wish
that 1 had such a mother !' she touchingly ejaculated.
" My embryo passion instantly sprang to life. "' '
*' ' Marie— -dearest Marie !' cried I^ presumptuously
kissing her hand, * you. shall have such a mother! —
she shall be a mother to both of us ! Listen to me,
sweetest Marie ! — the convent you have belonged to
must now be entirely broken up; the Englisb will never
countenance nunneries ; believe me, you will not com>
mit any crime in taking advantage of this> My motlier '»
dwelling stands in our own seigniory, you way live there
unseen but by ourselves. And even if the nuns of St.
Clare are permitted to return to Quebec, and to settle
there, they will never think of searching for you, but
conclude that you were carried away, and perhaps des-
troyed by the English soldiers. Come then, Marie, ta
my mother's home — to her heart! Conn- — and be her
Leloved — and mine. If I were now to lose you I should
never be happy morel Life would be unendurable to

me 1 — ezistenoe would be a burden 1'

■.I \iu. .. v;ji'< »! '

" She answered with tears and sighs that if she had
not taken the veil, if she had not vowed before heaven
to devote herself to a monastic life, she would, yes, she
would haveHistened to me. She confessed to me that
after she should return to her convent, she should know
no happiness beyond what a prospect of another life
micht afford her. She never could for<yel no *»a n^^f

THB CANADIAN CIRU

**f

Ibr an hour; night and day she should bless my name,
anrt ceaselessly she should pray that I might be happy
ivith some happier being than herself. A more vehement
Aow of tears accompanied these words, and then I, for-
getting tlie sacred obligations of our catholic church, to-
gether with its terrors, losing sight of all and every ihing
but my new-born passion, embraced her, and, with im«
)K)rtuuitie8 that would take no denial, entreated her to
8et forward with me to Rougemont, . ;,, ,t 5 i4t/ij :,i ...i-
*^ I obtained my suit, although Marie declared hersel
unconvinced by my arguments. ,,1».' ., iii^.;! » n I i.i.i^

^ ' I will not say no again, to you,' she cried
* take me. Marquis, whither you will 4 bat remembei
that it is my lov« for you — Marie's boundless love— anc .
not her reason, which complies. I will -shut my eyes or,
iti'k that may follow the breaking of nay vows. My heart
is yours entirely — you may direct it as you will. You
«aved me from death, and I belong to you henceforth.'

^ I was struck by the distress which pervaded her,
whole manner as she pronounced these passionate words,-
and Jiesitated whether I should or not proceed in my
rash (dan. There was a sudden maturity in Marie's air
which also surprised me. An hour ago she was the >fair,
aeraphic, pure child, now she was the devoted, impaf-
sioned, decided woman. While I looked on her dis-
tructingly, divided between my inclination and my duty,
1 had sunken ray knee, grasping her hands, which weret
cold and damp. She suddenly bent forward and kissed
my forehead. I gazed on her blue and dewy eyes, they
were not withdrawn frt^m ray view. A world of ever«
lasting truth and love repo»e<i in their lucid and clear
aepths. Sanctity shone on every colourless and deli-

W 3
I: I

J I

415

TH* tAkxtiiAk oiiifc.

I waat

cato featnrc, niixcflwith ft tvdiiderfiil tetiderness
conquered tlieti ; I ifepfatig up to my feet ; I drew thtf
cloak about hfe+--she was passive. •• i;)*'];;!;.! am >g ririv.

" * Maf ife,^ Said I, endeavouring to speak witW
c-almnes^i * 5'oti shall go to the nearest religious com-
mnnity I can find; I will not leave you in any less
secui^e plac6 — but tliere I will tear myself from you.
Fervently I hope you will rcjijain your peace of mind — •
'Aould that I had never disturbeci it !'

"We accordingly rode on about ten miles further^ tu a
small monastery, whicli the tavern-U'jeper had described
as standing in a village. But we found it deserted,
and then we had t6 deliberate agatin. I hiid been anti-
cipating, during ortr last ride, the moment of parting
with Marie, and the turbulence and diiSitres^ of my
feelings surprised even myself. Oti finding that I could
not leave her here, 1 experienced a singular felief, and
determined at least to pfolong the fatal pleasure I had
in her society. I sftid to her^— * Marie, you must now go
to Rougemont ; I shall ask no more from you there than
your friendship — you shall be my hallowed sister — my
mother shall be youf mother — until that abhorred mo-
ment when you may be recalled to your prison — for at
prhon I shall always consider that convent to be in
which you are.'''-';'-' * -i*-. ;< .!.j.!r,*.,- .^..,^-;.i; ,.- j,,. . :

*• Atid to Rougemont we Weht. My mother was in her
dfe*itig-i"oom ; thither I went to her. Her joy at seeing
tue in apparent safety was such as Only a mother could
know; Her couhtenanee fell when I ran over the for-
tunes 6f the siege, and its mortifying issue. When 1
described the remarkable deaths of the two heroes of the
national armies, she cried, with all the enthusiaiin of ii

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

■IVo

brave soldier 8 widr'w — * So would my husband buvtf
died liad he been in their places!' ,

" ' And now, ray dear mother,' said I, with some-
iniug of trepidation, * I have to put your kindness of
huuit to the test.* I then told her of my having saved
the nun, of my being wounded subsequently, and r^m
covering in the Jesuits monastery, of my second ao
tjuaintance with Marie Verche there, and of her guiles
less interest in my safety, of the flight of the nuns with
the remnant of the holy fathers from the captured city,
and of my having myself taken Marie away. ,^

" ' But,' said my mother, ' why not have suffered her
to go with hur companions, Louis? She would have
been safer with them, and surely her holy vows would
have suited better with such a step. A young officer
rniglU have been no worthy protector of the good sister,
though 1 know my Louis^ hqnour, and his respect for
religion so well, that I could have trusted him with such
a mission.'

*' 1 saw the difficulty, and at once avowed it. * I
know not, mother,' said I, ' what could have induced
me to take Marie alone from the monastery. I only
know that after tlie battle was over I thought of nothing
but of preserving her, and that when I saw her separate
from the other sisters before tiic altar I never stopped a
moment to deliberate, but urged her away with me.
One thing I know, that she wa^ ot to blame; terror
had confused her — and— and-^altogether she has acted
like an angel.' ., .^,„.„)y,, ,.; ■n,„tijijw » ooh: J Mliri // M

'* *■ No doubt ; but if she had acted like a prudent
and pious mortal I should have been better satisfied,'
laid my mother. *• But what followed her leaving the

TKB CANADIAN OIRL.

■. .1

11 t

"I .

j(*.- uits monastery with you ? Where did you take nev

then?' rm»J i;i if'JV i '■}n tU'r.KH*^

** I described our ride to the ^^vern, and our stop iga
there to rest and take refreshmenvi, then paused. It
was impossible for me to repeat v^hat had passed betnreeik
us there witi ut revealing what I fejirod to rereal even
to my matenial friend. She looked at me searchingly,
ftnd I felt that I could not deceive her.

** * Louis/ said she, very gravely, * you know how I
value pprfect openness in those whom I ice, and yoK
know least of all can I endure reserves iq my child.*

*' * Then you shall hear all, mother, and I trust to
your tenderness for me to make excuses on my behalf.'
And so I recounted every word as nearly as I could
recollect, that Marie and I had spoken to each other,
concluding by saying ' She is now in the cottage of
Paul Levi, on our grounds, waiting the result oi* this
conversation. Will you receive her ? will you be her
guardian and her parent until her superio/ claims her ?
I shall quit Rougemont as soon as I have seen her safely
lodged in the protection of some one on whom I can
rely. I must return to Quebec, I wish to learn the fate
of some of my fellow officers, and to see what is the
condition of the city, and how the conquerors use their
power.'

^ My mother reflected ; I saw that it was with much
pain she heard of my again quitting her^ but still she
did not oppose my intention, but by her looks approved
It. While I stood waiting in extreme anxiety to hear
her decision regarding Marie, she arose, and rang for
her maid. Then, alfectioniitfly kissint; me, said^
* Bver be thus open v»ith me, Louie, and you shall not

m 1'

TRB CANADIAN OIRL.

415

build in rain on mj friendship. Go down stairs, within
ten minutes I will come to you.'

** I saw everything that was encouraging in her looks,
and, returning her embrace, went down as she had bade
me, and walked under the verandah in front of the house
until she joined me. She had changed her dressing-robe
for a black satin mantelet, with hood and gloves ; and
Hs she walked up to me with that majestic mien which
vas so incomparably her own, and put her hand in my
arm, the small carriage, in which she was accustomed to
take her solitary airings, turned a corner of the house,
and drew up close to us. She dismissed the servant
who held tlie reins, and, having taken them into her own
hands, turned to me, and said, with one of her kindest
smiles —

" * Now Louis — get in. We will fetch this fair nun
hither; I must have some talk with her — and then it is
most probable I shall do what you wish, that is, take
care of her until those who have a sacred right in her
claim her from me.*

*' Marie Verche thus became an inmate of Rouge-
mont. I left her with liy mother — the two dearest
beinr^ on earth to me — an.i had not intended to retura
for two or three months ; but the injuries I had received
in my head from the Indian's tomahawk, began to pro-
duce very ill effects, and in a single week, before I had
been able to reach Quebec, I was compelled to sha|)e
my course back to my home. , v

" My illness increased, and my mother was seriously
alarmed. I had not seen Marie since I returned ; 1 had
purposely avoided even speakin^^ of her; but now I
could refrain no longer. The grave, of which I li,.i|

-J:'

|rtl

4lG THE CANADTAN GIRL.

liitherto thou<»lit so little, was yawninf]r to receive rn9^
and I called for Marie Ve, ihe to brighten the gloomy
prospect by the assurance that she would always cherish
my memory. She came, and my mother left us alone
together. At the first sight of my fevered and emaciated
countenance, Marie burst into a fit of &o:onisin>; sric>f,
which I did not attempt to check. It was a luxury to
my aching and shadow-oppressed spirit to see her weep
so. I felt confident that I should be remembered by her
when I was no more; but I wished to hear her assmo nie
that it would be so; when she wept more (jiiictiv,
I called her to ray side, an i, looking fixedly in Iiir ry<'s,
said — ■ ■ ,- '

" * Marie, tell me truly, do you think your heart ran
altvays remain constant to my memory V

" This provoked a fresh passion of grief, with the iiir
distinct exclamation of *0, Louis! why do yon speak
so?'

" It was the first time she had named nje by my
Christian name, and her unconscious use of it ffPLiitly
aflected me. She sat down by me, and her clear li.oa(i
drooped on my shoulder, while I spoke to her sQinctliiug
in this strain:- '• '""^^^'^ /^n;;-^om ol xJiit. ....

<c < Why should I desire /ife ? In a short time yoti
will have returned to the convent, and I should see you
no more. What I should ertdure" then won Id be even
more than the horrors of death. I should dioconl^^iuaHy,
totally deprived of your society. What I have suffori-d
on your account already lifts greutly aggravated my dis-
order. No, Marie, let me — let me — perish now, while
vou are with me I' and then, in a nieliincholv frenzv, I
!('pei>ted son\e verses I had strung together (h'.rinij my

THE CAXADIAN OIKL.

417

smitir} hours of sickness, some of which I heU«v«' m
well as I can recollect, ran thus:— '"'' '•'" '^ "-"'"

' Now wood, and moant, and iMiy gioTe, iisi'i'JZ/ V»n oi

rt
I -,
i. t

•■J

;'?

• 1.'

i vc:.

Are sweetly slumbering ; , ,

All— save thy weary, dying loTe— ,
And fountains murmuring.

Now, gliding through the midnight lone,

Along the peaceful dell.
Comes, with a wild and mournful toM^ >

The tinkling convent bell :

1., ; it«n!r,<{

;? J'f

It sounds for prayers, the while I go

To join archangels' praise ;
Blest thought ! that mitigates the woi^

My lingering soul delays.

■'• ■,' ,i'; ■•

Celestial hope ! divinely fair !

On my dark mind shall beam.
As falls the soft, ridi moonlight, wImi*

Flows yonder purple stream. \ :\\ t:

Yet ah ! one image floats between .'i

The opening sides and me ;
IVhen I would soar from this low scena^

3V)ii winn'st me back, Marie i

,»iit-M .1.11 '«'>ifj'<>Cft
But while I take my silent flight,

Joy, too, I draw from thee ;

As perfume on the winds of night, 1. ',.>i';'i i "

Starlight on waTc^ Marie!' _ rhf, nr 1 Afcf^

ru /i-'.

-V .\

:. "i

,1.11 '.'>ifj'OCft

• !

** After this, my mother not anticipating my recovery,
9,1^^ hoping to calm my fevered mind, aljowed Marie to
remain with me the most of b^ time. S}ie sat up with
my mother by me, nearly every successive night for a
fprtnight, and i|i the day tipie ^ministerefl my medianef,
9ir 8^t by m^ pali«Qtly an^unweariedly with one of k(f

3 H II' 'A'^

^ hands locked in minea

^■4^-^M*

I i

418

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

''';

i .

Willi

** At length, contrary to expectation, I was out of
oani^er, and still rny mother had not the courage to
aeny me the presence of her who had become neces& xry
to my existence. Months rolled by, and strll we wt e
inseparable. No mandate from the superior had yc^
arrived, although we had learnt that the nuns had re-
turned to their convent in Quebec, which had been re-
paired for them, and although ray mother had addressed
a letter to the superior. Marie now told me that she
dreaded to return to the convent worse than death. Si)cial
life now charmed her, and the sweet ties which bind
society together had assumed a new value in her eyes.
I remember with what intensity ol" look and exj)ressic)n
she wished that the siege of Quebec had taken place
six months before it did: — ' Then, oh, then,' she ex-
claimed, ' I should have beenonly a novice, and 1 mignt
have acted as I chose! It was only six little months
before we met, Louis, that I took the veil.'

" But at length the terrible summons arrived. A
letter came from the superior in reply to that which my
mother had sent, and on the third day after a priest waf
to be at Rougemont to take charge of Marie.

" I sought her instantly, and in despairing silence we

gazed on each other. We spent the whole of that day

together in all the luxury of woe. Toward evening my

mother came, full of sympathy for us.

, " * My children,' said she, trying to soothe us, * this

sorrow must not be indulged. You should each try how

' tirell you could support the other, under this inevitable

fiiparation. There is a heroism to be manifested in the

! Afflictions of private life as well as on the field of batUe»

' Jjouis, think of that. You admired the conqueror of

11 ! !

Jt' I

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

41f

CJMiada, who, in dying, showed a spirit triam|i1iuit over
nature. Be greater than him, conquer yourself nciv,
master your feelings, a nd bravely exert yourself to com-
fort Marie.'

*' Hardly had she spoken when we observed hergasp^
and put her hand suddenly to her head. I asked if she
felt ill ; she did not answer until she had walked to the
door, there, to our great consternation, throwing herself
down on the floor, she exclaimed * Yes V and immediately
after 'O God!' which were her last words. Thus I
lost the best mother, and the wisest friend, that evermaq
possessed. May she rest in peace until the day of ever-
lasting rejoicing ! \^. .,.,., ,^j* ^^.i .,^-.}._,,^ -.. . ,
, " How the next week passed I scarcely know. The
priest who came from the convent of St. Clare was per-
luaded to stay until the funeral of the Marchioness, on
the promise of a gift to the convent for masses for her
Boul. Marie and I took our last view of the beloved
corpse together. How majestically serene was the air
of that fine countenance ! even in death it was expressive
of every lofty virtue. The broad forehead was stamped
with the grandeur of an intellect of the first order : the
middle feature strikingly displayed fortitude and reso.u-
tion; and magnanimity and inflexible purity revealed
themselves on the lips. It was a sight that inspired me
with almost idolatrous adoration, bntov^r t^e. agonies
that succeeded I must draw a veil. r \ ', ,- r ,;..

^{)< *" After having seen my mother entombed I returned
to Marie, whom I found prepared for her journey with
the priest While she had been here her nun*s . habit
had been laid aside, but now she had put it on agaii).

1 looked distractedly oo the fatal habiliments, exctaini-

. ... ,^ ...

420

THB OAMAmAM Olfll..

itaj^^ Rath^etr, Marid, would I see yoa in ymr flhiotd/
thkn in that dress ! Think you I tan live on in solitud*
atrd trtetche(!}.nes8 here, knowing that you ekist, and yrt
that I cannot see you ?— 'that others live with you and-
delight themselves in y6ur affection, and yet that I am
tat ever shut out froAi such happiness ? Oh, can it Idb
ri^t, that beings like you, bom to illume '"^Hitt dark will*'
deilness — ^to make home only inferior to ancient paradise
•^to be a help meet for man— a ministering angel to YAt
snflerings — a sharer of his cares — a soother and a re-
#arder of his labours — a softener of his rugged path ;—>•
can it be right, that such beings should be allowed to
exile themselves from that social life which God has
(Vamed, and live im^nured in——* she interrupted
me.

** * Stay, dearest Loni<h~what dangerous language it
this ! I am vowed to a conventual life, and must abide
by my fate.*

** * Tell me not of vows !' I cried, almost beside my-
self. * Such vows cannot — Marie, I will say i'->be
pleasing to heaven. I begin to think the protestanii
right, and that there can be no divine authority for '
nunneries ; I begin to think they are the inventions of
our priests, and I tell you that you shall not be sacrificed

to them.* -^''S-''"!- *•*•;•■' U ..•^jil ' r-o*«vt/*tn'»'iS

** * O, louis, you do not know what you are saymg I*
cried the shrinking girl ; ' sorrow has bewildered your
mind — it is no wonder,* she added, pressing her hands
on her temples, * it has bewildered mine.* ^'^<<'> ol

\ M * Dearest ! you must not desert me !* I determl-
^ tU^ exclaimed, throwing mysdfat her feet, and hold'
tig her habit firmly, ai if I feared she wcuSd bretli (Rroa

THS CANADIAN GIRL.,

421.

me ; but she was as reluctant to quit me as I to' lei
her go.

" * What wculd you have me do V she asked; • tell
me, and I will i^o it, be it what it will, so be ray witness^
blessed saints.*

*' * You must fly with me to another country,' I said,
in a low, intense whisper. She started, then bending to
rae, said firmly, * I will go any where witii you. But
would it not be better if we were to die, Louis V

" * What means my sweet girl V said 1, folding her in
ray arms.

*' She repeated what she had jusi said, adding, * How
quietly we shall rest together beside your dear mother
Ah ! how I envied her repose as we looked on her the
last time. There will be no separation for us in the
tomb ; all is unity and companionship there. Our bodies
shall decay and moulder together, our dust shall mingle.
Let us die, my love, and we shall neither feel sorrow
nor incur blame !* ; , ,., ., . j-jvui oij if.. r.iV , r

** And in the desperation of the period we should cer-
tainly have destroyed ourselves lad we not chosen the
better alternative of flight.

> ** Attired in a dress of my mother's, altered lo suit
her slighter figure, Marie departed with me for Italy,
whither we arrived sar3]y after a speedy voyage. 1 had
left every directions for the household with inv steward,
a man on whom I could perfectly rely. I had taken the
precaution to have it supposed in Rougemont that I
had gone to head some French troops in a distant piirt
of Canada. A letter also, written by my steward, at my
dictation, had ovtsu sent to the superior of St Clare, in-
hrmng her that in consequence of the ill health of

A*Z*4

THE CANADIAN OIRU

Marie Vercbe, and Italy having been recommendfd It
' ber by the medical attendant of the Marchioness (whico
had been the case), she sought the indulgence of her
superior to be allowed to enter an Italian convent of
her order, instead of returning to Quebec. For the dis*
Simulation of these proceedings Marie and I afterwards
4ufiered a heavy punishment. I had led directions for
my letters to be sent to a distant post-office on the Cana-
dian frontier, whence they were to be forwarded to a
•econd office still farther removed, and from thence to
Rome. Thus I hoped to elude the emissaries of the con-
vent, and yet learn what was going forward in Rouge*
mont.

" As soon as Marie and I had landed on the Italian
shores, we were married by the cure of a village, and set
forward to Rome by easy joumies. Sometimes we loitered
a day or two, or even a week, in some solitary place,
that had pleased Marie^s fancy ; sometimes we pi oceeded
by water on the lakes and rivers under a war n and
delicious atmosphere, and sometimes on horseback or
in a carriage, over hills and valleys little less romantic
and sublime than those of the majestic country we had
left. >•■'■■' '-'-'" c»'' •■ • ■'■' ^' ' i ./u^jflA •»

*' Marie's pale cheek began to assume the tendere<>t
tints of the rose, and we were both in excellent health,
and as happy in each other as poetry could imagine,
when we arrived at Rome. A letter from the superior
of St. Clare was there for me, enclosed in one from my
steward. I concealed their contents from my bride, ani
though she observed me to be particularly meditative
and cast down for a day or two, she attributed the
change to a revival of my grief for my mother, not to

%
i

I
C

I
1

THB CANADIAN GIHL.

423

%ny untoward iDtelligence. But the letters had shaken
Vae not a little. That from the superior was coucned
in a very peremptory style, commanding Marie Verche
io return to the convent at Qiubec within six days, on
pain of severe censure and penanc?, according to the
canons of St. Clare. That from m} steward informed
me that tw^o ecclesiastics had come, to Rouo^emont de-
manding the young lady who had been under the pro-
tection of the Marchioness, and threatening the heavy
displeasure of the superior at Quebec if she were allowed
to remain longer under my roof. My steward had told
them that she had gone to Europe, but to what part of
it he knew not, and the ecclesiastics had replied that
they must make the strictest search after her, and that
if she were found her punishment would be most ex-
emplaiy. However, I quieted my mind by reflecting
that she was far removed at present from the sphere of
her superior's power, and I determined to keep her so.

" I fixed upon making my way into France, and with
this view left Rome with my biMle after a very short
stay there, in company with three French ladies and
two Italian gentlemen, of fortune, v,'ho were going into
Langueloc.

" I never could describe to you Marie's happiness
during this too brief summer. Exercise, freedom of
thought and feeling, a wider range of books than she
had been used to, and the utmost contentment and satis-
faction of mind, spread constant smiles on her lip,
and continual peace in he*" cweet blue eye. The ladies
with whom we travelled we:e protestants, and Marie
toon showed an inclination to their opinion?. Her
conscience, she frequently assured we, was perteclly at

i- w — a »-

434

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

ease regarding the breaking of her vows. She wm
sure that her only sin had been in making them. A
Bible was presented to her by one of her protestanf
acquaintances, and she commenced reading it for the
first time in her life with the liveliest interest. For
my part, I resolved not to interfere with Ihe progress
of her mind in any way, my own prejudices still pre-
ponderated on the side of the venerable faith of my an-
cestors, but the late events regarding Marie had loosened
many of the ties that bound it to my heart.

" Up to the period of her quitting Quebec with me,
her observation of nature had been, from her childhood,
confined to the garden of the convent ; at Rougemont,
cue of her greatest delights was in viewing the sublime
scenery that extended itself to her view from every part
of my estates ; and now, when rich vales, shaded with
the palm and plane trees — groves redolent with spicy
odours — ^blue, lucid lakes, where the magic sounds of
$ong and music, remote or near, were constantly heard
—and ever-varying hills, green and verdant — when these
■ucceeded to each other before her fascinated gaze, how
did she look at me with sensations too sweet and full for
utterance^ while the eloquent tear of sensibility trembled
and sparkled, like a pure diamond, on her eyelashes.

" She iKOuld then exclaim, holding my hand to her
heart — * What a lovely world is this! How amazing-
how divine I In the convent I heard of the Creator,
now I see Him — now 1 adore Him ! What an infinity of
His glorious productions do I now behold daily t my soui
if filled with the rapture they inspire.

** One afternoon, a little before the sun went down,
•ur party stopped at the foot of a mountain, in a seen*

•UK IVOK ■I'HK i::Sli<UI/J.UT AND TClT.'.iNG IT Willi A HKi.iO.
\.a 0OC.Nt.30"c-(,ilO TO i'f /I "/dlMMAK l-.f.VVK SONO"

■' i! wn.^wTT, .•:j)N1J''in ■!'• 11'' .v .^ •:)■ ■

THU CANADIAN GIRL.

425

a (lii^ t'> it.

no attractive, that we resolved to devote

A house of entertainment there accommodated ns all.

*• When our carriages had been put up, and the mules
fed, we sallied out, with tliree high-born ladies, known
to the Italians with us, who lived in a villa near; and,
being all in high spirits, chose a turfy rise convenient
for our purpose, where we s;it down on the dry grass,
and partook, with great relish, and much lightness ot
heart, of a cold collation which our host provided.

*' Afterwards, a lute was handed round, and rondeaus,
and other French and Italian airs, having been sung by
each of the company in turn, excepting Marie, thoy per-
formed canzonettes together. "

" The scene was a green vista, winding away before
us to the edge of a lake, whose waters were dyed a
splendid crimson by the sun, which was then approaching
the end of its career for that day. Long lines of sun-
light chequered the vista, and beautifully relieved thai
tender twilight which the shads of the trees, and the
hour, had shed there. Groves of ie>riun, mulberiy,
orange, and chesnut trees, all in full bloom, and filling
the air with their fragrance, clotlied the high slopes on
each side the path, and overhung ^t.

" Our gaiety increased as the sun declined, and when
the moon arose, we were still in the same enchanting
spot Marie had not sang, but now being much pressed
to do 80, and unwilling to incur an imputation of afl'ec-
tation, took the instrument, and, touching it with * a
religious softness,' sang to it a Canadian vesper-song,
in a voice charmingly clear anid flute-like. The praises
that succeeded confused her, but I thought them well
dieserved. A repetition of the song w4s called for; she

3*1

1 1

4*(i

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

(li

would have excused herself; * Nay, Marie,* said I, piiV-
senting the lute to her again, ' indeed you must cuiu>
ply ' She looked at me, as if to say, * I cannot refuse
jfOUf* and, taking the Irte, p'ayed, instead of her foniirr
air, one that was exceedingly melancholy, to which hnr
voice ^ave suitable expression, in these verses, which I
had given her at llovgemont, to the memory of the
daughter of an Indian cliief who la^ bu-ied tiiere; —

• Ilark ! »lo you hear thnugh the depth if the even,
. MiW- A wail from thi> fovest, a moan from the wavu 7

That is the >;sii of a mouincr to heaven,
That is a mnan over Ncumaha's grave !

Oh ! soft was the light of her eye in its beaminjr,
And bright were the smiles', on her innocent lip,
And pur>> was her heart in youth's earliest dreamir.;;,
i; As the wild-rose the honey-bee loveth to sip.

The lake that so tranquil!/ spreads itself near,
Rejecting the aky in its bosom of blue.

Was not more unsullied than she who lies here.
And her bosom reflected heaven's loveliness too.

She bloomed like th>? first tender flower of the spring,
Andwilherod too soon beneath sorrows chill gale;
M : • (/ Now on Neumaha's grave-sod tha moon love* io fliny

Her brightest of beams when Jic lights up the vale.

No axe ever sounded where Neunnha lies ;

The wild-pine bends o'er her — her pillow is green 5
The dove '•:' its nest on her turfy-couch flies,
"■ And the red-dfler and beaver beside it ire seen.

r. ' !

f.rfn:

■.,,,,f

if
VJltf

Here doth she sleep through the long, silent hours,

Where tho bittern and ^hip-poor-vill raise thoir sad notiw.

Vheie the lone dryad calls from bis thick forest bowerr ' | . i
T'.> watei-nymphs gliding in pearly-shell boats.

jnt^if'Jl

FaU softly, ye dews I on the young nnaidens gra\ 3

Softly murmur, ye winds * o'er her grsss-pillowed head

Disturb not her rest, nor the Indian brave ■ ' ' i ''»'^ t

Who, stem in his sorrow, keeps watch by the dea(L* ^<)i^

*»-»— ^

THB CANADIAN OIRL,

^T"

One of the ladles then sang a sprightly French
sonnet, with all that elegant and fascinating liveliness
which distinguishes her countrywomen. It was now
my turn to contribute to the amusement of the party,
and, having rejected both the lute and mandolin which
were proffered me, I took, for the sake of variety, a
French bugle, an instrument on which I flattered myself
I excelled, and played some of the favourite martial airs
of my coutitry, that were r,e»y to my listeners. On a
sudden Marie interrupted my performance by an ex-
clamation of alarm ; she was more remarkably pale than
ever I had seen her ; by a look she imposed silence on
jne; it was supposed that she was ill through fatigue.

" Apolojxising to the comf.any, she expressed a wish
to return to the inn, that she might go to rest.

'• We all proceeded together to the inn, where I and
Mario left our companions in a room that opened on a
balcony hung with jessamine, and the curling tendrils
of the vino, intermingled with blushing clusters of grapes.
Thoy continued enjoying the luxurious moonlioht, and
the balmy and odorous air, until long past midnight ;
their combined voices in the canzonettes swelled exqui-
sitely on our ears when we had retired to our chamber.

*' I saw, as soon us we were free from observation of
the company, that Marie's manner portended some mis-
fortune. Hardly liaJ i the courage to question her—
nor did she give me time. With quick hands she locked
the door on the inside, and to my surprise held the candle
to it searching for bolts to make it mdre secure ; then
extinguishing the light drew me to the window. * Say
DJt a word to me,' she articulated under her breath,
' but observe.* I looked out, and at Krst could distinguish

'.^

'0^

42S

THE CANADIAN GIRU

ill ;
i

I l!

<-).

l\CO?.

nothing but the rich Italian landscape, and the glodous
vault of heaven

' Studded with stars unutterably bright/

but, after watching a few minutes, the tall shadow of a
Jesuit's figure became visible in front of the balcony, in
the garden. I looked at Marid — she was like sculptured
alabaster — so white, so fixed, were her features. Her
lips were as pale as her cheek — her cheek as her brow ;
and in thepai-tial and uncertain light by which I viewed
her, 1 could have thought that she had newly risen from
the grave. As the lurid shaduw of a thunder-cloud, so
fell upon my heart a presentiment of what was about to
happen. t ,»■ » .. r i

** * There — there !' whispered Marie, shrinking closer
to me, and pointing cautiously to the Jesuit's figure ;

* you see him, love, do you not?' * Who is hel' I
asked, and wound my arms about her with fond anxiety ;

* why are you so terrified V She was trembling as she
replied — * He is a man I have always strangely dreaded,
since I first saw him in the convent. He travels from
monastery to monastery in different countries, and visits
Rome once a year regularly. He is always loaded with
the secret errands of the religious superiors, and is the
medium of a confidential communication between them.
It was whispered among the nuns that he hac* procured
the pope's sanction for some superiors for very harsh
proceedings. His appearance here, my beloved, bodes
evil for us ! I saw him in the vista, standing by an olive
tree, while you were playing the bugle ; he was lookin^^f
at «i«, as I fancied, with a very sinister air, which strucic
such a sudden tear on m^ lieart, that 1 cried out, as you
heard me.' i ^ - . .. ,.,;,., (,„.. ».„.;....:, ,| \ ' '.vTjaih- iif.t

I lil ;j hC". />;?(..

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

429

tti

' She broke off, for the figure came into full relief op-
pdfite to us, and stood gazing on our window attentively,
then drew back again into the shade. We remained im-
moyable by the casement watching, but he appeared no
more. The gay notes of a tabor and hautboy sounded
from below; I closed the window; nothing is more un-
endurable than mirth to the oppressed heart.

*' Before we retired to re&t, Marie's aspirations arose,
not to the Virgin, but to Him, who, in her opinion, was
the only hearer of prayer, that He would guard our sacred
union, and interpose for us that we might never be torn
asunder — but He had otheruise decreed.

** Would you believe, Nicholas, that she was dragged
from me that same night ? I never could learn the par-
ticulars of her seizure, further than this — she had arisen,
\n the disquiet of her mind, in that hour which inter-
vened between the setting of the moon and the rising of
the sun, had dressed herself, and had gone into a gal-
lery adjoining, intending to awaken her maid by knock-
ing at the door of the room in which she wa^. It ap-
pears she was there met by two monks, who ordinarily
travelled with the jesuif , these, acting under his autho-
rity, by some means unknown to me, compelled her to
enter a chaise, and, accompanied by the Jesuit, drove
away with her.

*' My amazement — my rage — my anguish — when I
discovered my loss in the morning, unfortunately pre-
vented me from acting with that presence of mind the
cise demanded. I threatened evcy one in the house—
1 raved — I rode furiously on horseback in every di-
rection, continually returning back in madness and d^-

•pan.

i..t

'\T--:

] MltBiA

430

THK CANADIAN OIRL.

" The host had seen Marie taken away without in- ,
terfering ; he excused himself by telling me that he was
a good catholic, and could not in his conscience at"
tempt to hinder a nun from being carried back to her
convent. The Jesuit had shown him orders of the highest
authority — one from the Cardinal Ximena himself, of
Rome — for taking possession of the * so called,* Mar-
chioness of Rouge niont, on behalf of the superior of St.
Clare. To every question that I afterwards put to hira,
he only replied by mentioning the name of the Cardinal
Ximena, which he had seen affixed to the papers the
Jesuit had shown him, and which it seemed to me had
deadened every feeling of humanity in his breast.

" I hurried back to Rome ; occasionally I nearly
came up with the chaise in which my treasure was, but
could not entirely reach it. I know that 1 was in Rome
at the same time with the Jesuit, but yet I was unfortu-
nate enouo-h to let him Icvive it before me. Still I was
on his track, and got to the sea-side — in time to see a
Canadian vessel, in whicii he was, go out of sight in the
horizon. I would. have given a million worlds to have
been able to reach her — but it was impossible. However,
1 followed in the first ship that sailed to Quebec : con-
trary winds detained us on the passage, and when I
reached the citadel I heard the news that was abroad
among the Canadian citizens, that a runaway nun of
St. Clare had been fetched back from Italy, and was to
be imprisoned in her convent for life.

" I had an interview with the superior, she spoke to
me with the same cold formality I had before detested
in her. I implored her, as a woman, to feel for me z::d
Mane. I described the rise of our afTcction for carh '

.-^ >

THi: CANADIAN CARL.

oiiior. sliowed her hoiv circumstances Ijad protnoteil it,
how averse wo both had been to the breaking of Marie'*
vows, and how much we both had endurjd before we
took the rash step. I alluded to Marie's youth and in-
experience, and brought forward other excuses, but they
all fell pointless on that flinty heart. • • . t^

*' She answered with austere brevity, that my boldness
in defending, to her face, the enormous crime of INlarie
Verche and myself, did not surprise her, since we had
been foun'l capable of committing it. It Wtas not for h«.'r,
she said, to punish my guilt, but as Marie was one of
tiiose, for whose observance of the holy rules of a mo-
nastic life she was accountable, she should deal with her
as she merited ; her marriage with me had been nothing
short of adultery, as Marie had previously been wedded
for everlasting to the church.

** I could not restrain myself within the bounds of
temperance, my indignation would break out. I hardly
know what I said in the heat of the moment, but the
scene ended in my unceremonious expulsion fromtheroora
and the convent, after I had bee.i positively denied even
the interchange of a word or look with my wife.

" I visited the primate of Quebec, he was equally
cold and stern with the superior. I sought the subtle
Jesuit who had robbed me of my beloved — he was not
to be found. Against this man I harboured the fiercest
revenge, and could I have met with him, I believe he
would have received nothing less than death at my
hands.

" At this time the Kinfj of France robbed me of two
thousand livres. Bygot, his financier, as you have heard,
had absolute power over the civil and military establish-

i^i

i %

:l\

'-J

I ':

432

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

ir^ents of Canada, at the time the English conquers,
thu province. For thirty years Bygot had been in th#
habit o( issuing what was termed * card money/ tnstee<!
of sterling coin, and had paid the creditors of the go*
vernment in bills of exchange, the King of France
allowing it to bo perfectly understood that he was re-
sponsible for both the card-money and the bills ; and
for the term of years I have named, my parents, and
all others who had received the paper-currency, had had
it faithfully redeemed when they so required. But now
the King took it into his head to dishonour the bills —
commerce was involved in difficulty — the unfortunate
Canadians, already injured by the war, saw nothing but
ruin and misery before them ; four per cent only was
given to them for the current paper they held, and thus
their loss was immense.

" Everywhere around me I heard the execrations of
che duped holders of the bills — but I held my peace.
Wliat WIS money to me then 1 Lot the idolators of
mammon experience such grief as I experienced, and
their god would lose his power. But in the selHshness
of my distress I could still Cool for tlio jKioror sulferers ;
I thought of their wives a'ld families — my heart bled
for t/tem. The English, I must allow, did wonders in
reviving th^* prosjiects of the Canadians, and by a liberal
policy fairly won their respect and f2;ratitii(lp. I some-
times Viondereil at tlio cliini<>:ps of the world when I saw
the people, j'jainst nliotn ; y Cailicr jr ' myself had so
determinedly fought, living in amity with the '^/anadians,
ruling them so wisely, that those they had conquered
wwre now ready with blood to maintain their sway.

** But none of these events interested me beyond &•

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

43$

passing moment. Some of my former militaTy friends
in t'nc garrison came to me, and would have introduced
me to certain of the English officers With whom thev had
formed an acquaintance, I told them I wished for no
society, I had renounced Far, and wanted neither to have
any part in its movements, to hear anything of its fortune?,
or to continue any intimacy with its professora. They
slarcd at me, and one laughed in my face, when I made
this blunt declaration. 1 left them, and they spread a
report that I was mad.

" Niglit by night I paced the environs of the convcMit,
still hoping that my wile would find some morns o**
conveying to me a word or a line — but no, I receive J
neither. Qraduallv I became convinced that I had
nothing to hope, unless from some desperate act. I
thought of the Indians on my estate. I went to one of
their villages in Rougemont, and succeeded in bu)inir
the services of s\x of their stoutest men. We hastened to
Quebec, and I presented myself at the door of the St.
Clare convent, followed by them. An aged sister m-
quired our pleasure; she was silenced by threats; and
the Red-men burst into the interior of the builainnr,
raising their horrible war»whoop. My heart was iud
of one name — one image. - '-- -^ • . - •• .■-.,■

** * Marie ! — Marie !' I cried ; my vditte rang through
the cloisters, and I heard her shrill responsive cry. 1 hat
fired me — I felt as if I could have driven back a world
of giants if they had attempted to hinder me from reach*
ing her.

" ' Marie! — Marie!' I again called louder than oe»
fore ; again I hoard her thrilling cry. That sound was
repeated nearer — and still nearer — and tl^en she w«;

3 k

'II

43^1

THE TANADTAN GIRL.

locked io iny arm?. Gracious Father of spirits! wbat
were my^ pangs to see her a mere skeleton ! — wasted to
pkia and bone l-r-her delicate frame ill-protected from
the bitter cold of the period by sackcloth merely ! — hor
head shaven !— her eyes red, dilated, and swcllfd ! — her
cheeks hollow and stained with the traces of many tears !
— her hands — but I cannot bear to dwell on the rrifihllnl
alteration I saw in her ! Yet I would have vou know
the truth, only an instant was she in my arms — but in
that iustant she had shown me the marks of the terrible
penances to which she was condemned, and had conveyed
to me in a few frantic words the whole of her unoxumo
pled sufferings. • ' ' • '•

" I live, ray Louis,* said she, * on coanie cakes and
water ; in a stono cell, which is my prison, I lie with
scHr<?e any thing to cover me on the damp ground. And
oh, how horrible are my nights ! I am kept barefoot ;
nnd \^hen I cry out for you, and implore for mercy, I
im answered with penance. But it would soon have
ended if you had not come to take me away. I have
sulfored one deed of barbarity which it was not possible
I could long have outlived. I will not tell you now
what it i'^ — oh, my precious love ! I dare not ! — if I did,
you would rave so loud, that heaven would send its
lightnings down to avenge u«?!'

*' The noise of conflict succeeded. ' Is there any one
in the convent who can fight I* f abruptly asked of
Marie. She replied, * I heard the nuns talking outside
my cell o{ soldiers who ha<l voiunteerod to guard it.*
She stood listening witli herliand to hor oar, then cling-
iaf{ to me wildly, cried, in a loud voice — ' Take me away*
Louikl— oh, tjike me from this den of cruelty!' I

4 w

THIC CANAOIAN olRL.

43:

canjrht lier up and reached the outer door, but started
back on tindintj a bayonet presented to my breast. ' *

*• * Yield her, or you are a dead man I* cried the
soldier who opposed my progress. Marie griped my
shoulders, and in distraction implored me not to forsake
her.

" * Be calm, my pr6ci6u8 wife!' I exclaimed: * ke'
will never part more ! — mine yon are, and, by eternal'
truth, I will never again quit you but in death !' When
I would have gone forwards the soldier repeated his de-
mand. I tried r\postulation with him — entreaty— but
be was deaf

" * She is a nun — yield her or die !' he repeated. I
put Marie '"•om me, and spranir on him with such vio-
lence as to throw him down. While wo struggled 01.
the ground together I called on my wife to fly. Hjid
she done so we might have been happy to this day; but
believing that my contest with t'^e armed soldier would
terminate fatally for one of us, s!ie remained standing
by, insensible to my entreaties, immersed in the mortal
anxiety of love. The shouts of the soldier brought
three of his comrades to the spot, and I was soon covered
with blood from the wounds I gave and received. 'J'he
Indians, raising their savage whoops, mingled in the
afllray, carrying me ofT by main force from the ensan-
guined siK»t, mortally wounded as they sup; losed, while'
the death-scream of Marie, whom the English soldidr^
surrounded, penetrated my swooning senses. She had
received a sword stroke that had been nieant for me, and
the lifo-blood of my murdered wife sprinkled my face.

" Tnevo have been times when I have fancied tha
th« injuries I received in that conflict, and the agouv

•^V.

43!J

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

i '

my mind, impaired my reason. Certainly I cuuld ncvcfi*
think, feel, or act, afterwards, as I had done bef'oroi
The '.vhole world was as one sepulchre to me, in whicli
niy ill- fated love lay entombed, and in which I was a
solitary and urpitied mourner. A report was current^
that the runaway nun of St. Clare had been privately
buried in the nei^rhbourhood of the convent church ;
once only I dragged my enfeebled limbs there, and my
wretched heart poured itself out on her grave. She lay
in unconsecratod ground, but 1 rather rejoiced at this
than otherwise. 1 was glad that those who tyrannised
over her had not tlic care of her loved ashes. She had
Wen put into the earth by night, without the perform-
ance of any burial service, and no stone marked her
))lace of rest. I had the body exhumed, and, bearing
it to Rougemont, interred it under that large tree which
fronts my chamber window, beneath which, you, my
son, have so often seen me sit, when I have been medi-
tating over my wrongs. Yes, there she lies — and for
her sake I have reinaineil, and will still remain, in a state
of widowhood. No other mistress of Rougemont shall
ever, while 1 live, be heard or seen in this abode of
mine. The memory of Marie shall remain here with
undivided dominion. ,,, ,-^,,„, ,, „|, ., ,,nal

" And strange have been the concatenation of events
which have taken place with regard to yourself. Little
did I think, when, moved with your infant suiferings, {
took you from Baptista Cercy, that it was the child of
Marie — my own child — -whom I befriended ; and as you
grew up to maturity, and 1 set my heart upon you, and
made you my heir, little did 1 imagine that in my ex-
clusive afl'uctioii, and in my wealth, you were only ro*

TUIil CANADIAN UIRL.

■IS

iuivioor your proper birthright. You had left me alter
our unfortunate disagreement, and some little time had
f)a.S!jed, wearily enough for me, who felt a second tiniu
bereaved, when I received a message from an aged
vicaire, that he wished to see me on a matter of extreniw
importance. As the cottage in wbicb *ie lay ill was
situate beyond my estates, [ refused to go, for « nad
taken a vow, when Marie died, never to quit these limits
unless by the most urgent necessity. I'he vicaire con-
trived to come to rat;, auu informed me that while Ma'-M*
was in the convent, only a brief period before her (ie.illij
she had given birth to a male infant, which had hwn
taken from her by the orders of the superior. When
my poor wife found her oppressor inexorable to lur
prayer that she mi^ht retain the child, she entreated
that it miirht be entrusted to no other than Paul and
Joan Levi, a young and kind-hearted labourer and ni<i
wife living on my estate, at whose cottage, 1 told you
in this sad story, Marie had stopped when first I in-
troduced her into llougemont. No doubt her hope was
that they would make its existence kiiuwu to me, and
that I should ieceivo it beneath my own roof. But her
petition was only L,ranted on the cruel condition that
the Levi's should never make known to any living per-
son its identity, but should adopt it as their own, to
which they were induced to take oath, kneeling before
the high altar of St. Clare, and holding each a crucifix.
They received from the convent « small sum of money
lor the maintenance of the infant for one jcar, and thai
sum was to be repeated yearly, But in a few njonlns
thev tlied siuUlenlv of fever, (wid the vicaire knew w t
how it happened that the poor relutiv( of Paul Levi v. uo

4*Vi

THB CANADIAN OIKL.

then took yon, kneiv nothing of the provision to be re-
oeived for you from the convent. The vicaire had
been into the convent of St. Clare and had heard there
part of the information with which he astonished me,
from a nun who had cherished a friendship for Marie,
and who unceasing*! v lamented her fate, the rest he had
gathered in the vicinity of Rougcmont. He had kept
the secret for twenty-five years, but now drawing nigh
the grave, and the superior of St. Clare having departed
to that place where * the wicked cease from troubiinir,*
he felt constrained to disclose it to me.

" And still my portion was anguish ! The son whom
as a stranger I had nurtured, and educated, and loved,
where was he? I had suffered him to quit my roof
perhaps for ever ! Whither should I go in search of
him ? f knew his stubborn prjde (forgive me the ca-
pression) so well that I could not hope for his voluntary
return to me even though he should be reduced to the
utmost state of necessity. He had refused the money I
offered to him too — he had thrown himself on the world
without friends — without a profession — without any
likely means of subsistence. What might not his rash-
ness caiise liim to have to endure! "' "' • *'^'' "'

** The vitttire died in my house. Years have since
rolled on and I have heard nothing of yon. My heart
yearns to see you ! — offsprijigof my nnforgotten love !

*' Another, and still another year, and no tidings of
you, my son ! You have been bred rp in luxury — how
will you be able to endure the hardships of an unequal
struggle for the bare elements which sustain life ? But
what say I? — you may have alroatly sunk under tli.it
struggle, and be now laid in the dust ! Something

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

439

^ irhispers to me that it is so, and that 1 shall never again
see you ! My eyes must be closed by strangers ? I
must descend to the tomb unmourned !

'* I resume with a renewed hope, that one day this
record of my sorrows, and of your mother's fate, will
meet vour view. A lincrerino: illness has wasted me to
mere skin and bone. Detroit, once your tutor, has
oueered me through the dark season by reading to and
conversing with me, he has even spent niglits .i-i. my
side. Hopeless of ever beholding you again, 1 made
him my heir. But to-day, one of the servants who has
been to Quebec, brings mo tidings that one Leonard
Anderson has twice served as a comiiion sailor, and
since then as a second and first mate, in an emigrant
vessel, under a Captain Barry, between the Canadas and
the British Islands. He gives me to understand that
h\> knows this Leonard Anderson to be yourself, and
that you are now a lirst niate in that vessel. Gad be
thanked for tliis newsi You are alive, and have m^de
your way to 'a\\ iiononrable, if not distinguished, place
in Society. I sh.ill not have to grieve for your fall into n
vicious way of life. ,, ,,

" Two more weary years have gone by — my hair is
turning white with ago — my home is still a desolate
place. I can hear no more of von. Detroit has chanired
his manners to me since I made him mv heii. He knows
not that I have heard any thing of you. I suspect hiui
of assuming .» friotidship for ..le he never felt, that he
might gain my estates. He has deceived me grossly —
tncre is n(> trust to be put in man. I am fated to suf-
fer to the last hour of my life. Notwiiustanding, he
shall not be deepened by me— I shall revoke my will in

440

THB CANADIAN QIRL.

your favour, hn' I sh^^' bt |ueath tj him a maintft*

nnnce.

Here the nrrratr.e swrjv^d to have ceased for a long
period. It was cu iudei' n a few lines evidently
penned with the altered and trenjulous hand of ex^omo
age, of which the ink appeared quite frosh and black.

" My last hope of seeing thee, my son, has withered
entirely. Hitherto I have delayed altering my will,
deterred partly by the arguments of Detroit, who
would persuade me that you are dead. But 1 feel cer-
tain indications that this house of clay, this body of
mine, is about to crumble into its native dust, and I
dare no longer defer that only act of fatherly love which
I can show you. Next month I shall have seen ninety
summers. I have drawn up a will with what knowledge
of law 1 possess, appointing you your natural inheritance ;
and to-morrow, for the first time during half a century,
1 quit Rougcmor.t tu jiay a farewell visit to an old
fellow soldier of mine, who lives two hundred miles off,
in what the English call the Upper Province. There
I shall be freed from the influence of Detroit, which, I
am ashamed to say, has been too strong in its rule
over me latterly, and there I shall see this last will of
mine properly completed by some good lawyer.

*' I may never return to Rougemont again — if I do
not, let me here bid you a tender^ p long farewell. You
will see your mother's grave — 1 have put no monument
over it — the grass has grown upon it without check —
out never was there one which has been watered with
more tears. If over you come 'o this place, or your
cudaren, let them receive, with my blessing, this my
'I'.emn request — that thoy lay her bones with mine!'-

TUB CA.IADIAN GIRL.

441

Clinton drcssec!, and went with quickness into his
father's chamber, which was the same the Marquis had
formerly occupied. The Pirate stood beside the win-
dow, looking out in a thoughtful attitude. He expres-
sively grasped the hand of his son, and pointed to a
venerable elm tree, at a little distance froi?) the house,
beneath which the mossy sod exhibited a slight promi-
nence — there was Marie's grave. The two gazed on i*
in silence, then conversed awhil? on the contents of the
manuscript ; after which, hearing Jane's v^ice, they pre
ceeded to the breakfast room, both eager to communi-
cate to her the melancholy story of the Marquis and the
nun of St. Clare, and to visit with her the unpretendi^jg
resting place of Marie Verche.

442

TUB CANADIAN OIRU

CHAPTER XXV.

" And yet the loved
With that intense afTpction, tiiat dopp faith,
Which knows no change, and sets but o'er the tomb !" — Sienin.

" On — on the ressel ran !"— Sicutn.

I k

Ladv Tlostt^r, with bcr friends, readied in safety the
cotuitry seat of the earl lier father in Eny:land. The
arrival of the lovely and distin<;uished peeress, and her
widowhood, were at once made known to the highest
circles (hrough the medium of the fashionable journals
of the day. Immedialcly she was inundated by cards,
and notes, and letters, of condolence and of compliment.
A host of tidf'd and coroneted visiters besieged her re-
tirement, employing all the artillery of polite blandish-
ment to win her to reappear in the s|)arkling scenes of
aristocratic dissipation. But Lady Hester was invul-
nerable. She carried within her bosom a talisman which
rendered impotent all their assaults. Former suitors
were among their number, whose hopes the Colonel's
death had revived, and found their plans for ])rocuring
the honour of her smiles fruitless. At first their calls
wete answered by the mortifying intelligence that Lady
Hester could not see company at present, and then, that

., I

THE CANADIAN OIRU

443

she yraa ^one into the south of England. But there
was once class of ])ersons whom she had not failed to
visit on her faither's domain — they were the poor, who
long had cause to remember her liberality.

The Earl of Wilton was extremely mortified by the
determined seclusion of his eldest daughter, but finding
his reinonstrances of no eflfect, ceased to make them, and
fixed his hopes on the budding graces and accomplish-
ments of Letitia, tvho entered her fourteenth year, as
the first twelvemonth of their return to England ex-
pired.

Lady Hester was gone on a private visit to those
distant relations of Pastor Wilson who had taken Clin-
ton from his destitute mother and brought him up to
manhood. There, her heart, which was now entirely de-
voted to him, indulged itself by reviewing the enchanting
period of their first acquaintance in the same delightful
scenes in which it took place. Only to one member of
the family, a younger son, ^rho, from his childhood, bad
entertained a brother's reg£<*d for Clinton, did she speak
of that which was nearest to her heart. Cautiously,
when at another part of the drawing-room in which they
were assembled, the younger scions of the house, and
their parents, were busy with a parcel of books and prints
that had newly arrived from Paris, she made an allusion
to the favourite companion and confidant of his younger
years. He caught at the theme with eagerness, and
dilated with warmth on the recollections which the name
of Clinton rekindled in his mind. Neither he nor his
relatives had heard, Ladv Hester soon discovered to the
enhancement of her happiness, of the real cause of
Clinton's havinc; quitted FiUgland. The merchants from

444

THK CANADIAN Uini.

whom the latter had erahezzled money having, as our
readers are avrare, received so soon after their loss three-
thirds of the amount from Clinton, and the rest from
Lady Hester, and supposing that the whole had been
returned by himself through her hands, willingly hushed
up the transaction, which, accordingly, had not tran-
spired beyond their firm. Lady Hester imparted to this
friend and relative of Clinton her having seen him, and
his sister and father, in Canada, describing the re-
markable circumstances of their meeting, only keeping
back the piratical character of Anderson's vessel. Her
deeply interested listener in turn informed her that he
had heard, from one of the vica*rs under the Bishop of
Quebec, that Pastor Wilson, the grandfather of Clinton,
was living in Upper Canada, and as soon as he could
find leisure he should write to the good Pastor, on the
part of his parents, and enclose a letter for Clinton,
whom he hoped by this means it would reach.

Lady Hester had inherited a small estate in her own
right in Cornwall ; thither she repaired next, and during
the second year of her return from abroad, dwelt there
in a solitude so entire as to give rise to various surmises
among the disappointed circles o^ haul ton. It was even
said that, in spite of the tales which had been circulated
of the Colonel's infidelities, she had reallv loved her
husband, and had vowed herself to perpetual grief fur
his loss. But an idea to romantic was hardly likely to
keep its ground among the exclusives of the superior
orders, who were little accustomed to devotedness to
marriage ties, and they speedily banished a notion so
repugnant to their frigid calculations.

Lady Hester, a thorough disciple of the same anti-

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

44.5

enthusiastic school as far as her nature would suffer her
to be, rigidly hid her real feelings from every eye. The
end of the present year approached, and with it the pe-
riod when her future path in life was to be decided.
She grew restless and anxious; sleep forsook her pillow
by night, and tranquillity her spirit by day ; she sat at
the piano- forte, but the charms of music had for the
present fled ; she took in hand her pencils for sketching,
drew a few irregular outlines, but could not concentrate
her mind upon the task; she prepared her colours,
placed the exquisite productions of Flora and Pomona
before her, iloivers, and fruits, and shells ; shaped cards
for screens, and baskets, and similar bagatelle, which
she meant to ornament with painting for her amusement;
but in the midst of this graceful trifling, dropped her
brush, sank back in her chair, and yielded herself up
to the listlessness of a troubled mind.

One day, while in this painful frame, wandering from
one apartment to another, and trying one employment
after another, but all to no purpose, the arrival of the
morning's letters and papers were announced by a ser-
vant. She did not go immediately to the room in which
they were rdinarily placed, for the vagi^e hopes she
had of late entertained were not in much vigour this
morning, and nothing else but what referred to Clinton
had at present power to interest her. With languid
indifference she proceeded to turn them over just before
going to dress for dinner ; there were a variety of crested
seals, black, and vermillion, and parti-coloured; she
glanced at the superscriptions and cast them on one
side without opening them ; then came forth from the
bag a letter from her sister, who was then in town with

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

the Earl ; she opened that, saying — " Dear Letty ! I
must see what you have to say to me." There was
nothing of moment in it. The unspoiled warmth and
vivacity of temper which madeLetitia so pleasing, spoke
out as usual on the odorous page in sentiments equally
refined and affectionate.

" Ah, Letty ! you will not long remain, I fear, the
unsophisticated bein- you now are. A few years will
make you like us all — but long may it be before the
fitry serpent, love, breathes his pestilential vapours on
yo:» ! IMay it be long before you feel the pangs your
aister has suffered !"

She supposed that she had emptii-d the letter-bag,
but as she was pushing it from lu>r across the table, to
make room for a large print she was unrolling, another
letter dropped from its moulh with the direction upper-
most. She read — " ' To the Right Hon. Lady Hester
Cl( veland, Wilton-hall, County of Essex, England.'
It is from Clinton I" she ejat iilated, and looked round
the apartment to see that the disturbance of her de-
meanour was not observed. " It is assuredly his hand-
writing! The two years have not yet quite expired —
he has encroached on my permission."

Notwithstaiuli ig tlicsc remarks, and llie resentful
tone in wirich tln'y were utiercd, it is not to be supposed
but that Lilly Hester was loss displease I at his having
written a little before the dme, than she would have
been had ho delayed until after. As Nelson is said to
have aver' od that he owed his successes to having been
a quarter of an hour beforehand with his engagements,
so, it is probable, Clinton owed his ultimate success with
Lady Hester to a similar cause.

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

447

The letter was in her hand as a carriage wheeled up
the lawn in front of the housa. Lady Hest>3r was in-
. tantly to the outward eye unruffled, though her heart,
like Vesuvius covered with snow, was on fire with a
thousand emotions underneath. A lady in the neigh-
bourhood entered to make a morning call. Lady Hester,
with perfect ease, yielded herself to all the light topics
of the day; invincibly patient, discussed the respective
merits of lace from Valenciennes and Berlin— of china
from Dresden and India— of fans from Paris and Ma-
drid — of shawls, and parrots, and vases, and sorvants,
and embroidered handkerchiefs. All which concluded,
the lady returned to her carriage, and Lady Hester to
Clinton's letter, with which the latter retreated to her
dressii r-room, from whence she stirred not for the rest
of the (lay, taking her dinner, tea, and supper there,
and spending the whole of the ensuing night in penning
an answer for Clinton. Neither his communication or
her reply shall we presume to lay before the reader —
their contents are easily to be imagined by those who
have loved truly, and devotedly — who have had their
hopes long deferred, and who at last see themselves on
the eveofobtaining llio hallowed object of their heart's
choice.

And now Lady Hester sold off all the property she
possessed in her own right in England, lodged her
money in the hands of a Metropolitan banker who was
in correspondence with the Canadian bankers of Mon-
treal and Toronto, and apprised the Earl of Wilton of
her determination to return to North America, and
settle there. Ho immediately left town with Letitia and
came to her.

443

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

** It is impossible that you can be serious, Lady Cleve-
land!" said he to her, shortly after his arrival. " I am
at a loss to conceive what can have occasioned the al-
teration which I have long perceived with so much pain
in that daughter, who, a short time ago, was the star of
my ancient house. What is there here wanting to your
happiness 1 If you are bent upon the eccentric plan of
exiling yourself from London, why still there is all
England before you, and Ireland, and Scotland, and
Wales ! Wherever you are pleased to go in these king-
iloms, our nobility will feel flattered by your residence
among them. Reflect, my love! North America: —
what a place for Lady Hester Cleveland to choose as
her place of residence ! If you had said Paris, or any
other of the continental capitals, I might have been less
surprised. Buf North America ! — really, my love, you
must excuse me if I treat such an idea with ridicule."

" What say you to New York, .ir ?"

" Ah, that city is not entirely beyond t'.je pale of ci-
vilisation — there are some endurable persons there I be-
lieve ; — but still, Lady Cleveland knows better how to
discriminate between tiie degrees of good society, than
to dream of preferring to shine among an American
aristocracy of citizens rather than among an English
aristocrary, in whose veins flows no base blood, and who
are confessedly the most refined people in the world 1"

** My dear sir, I am in search of no society. I do
not mean to shino at all. As I told you formerly in
Toronto, I have severed myself from fashionable life for
the remainder of my days. I think you have seen me
act consistently with that resolve since I came back to
England."

..-a-

THB CANADIAN OIRU

44f

" Well, Lad^ Cleveland, if you are wilful, I will give
up the point."

*' Not wilful, my dear sir, but only — "

" Determined to go — so then it shall be. I ccrtainh
regret your determination — exceedingly regret it— espe-
cially as Lord R , my friend, has more than hinted

to me his wish to m&ke proposals for your hand, if he
could hope they would be accepted. He would be an ex-
cellent match, my love — he is about to become a member
of the cabinet — I have no doubt that he will be yet
prime minister."

" Pardon me — I shall never accept his lordship."

The earl knew well the decidedness of her character,

and perceived by her manner that Lord R had not

the shadow of a hope. With a sigh of vexation he
ceased to debate the matter with her.

" And is it true, Hester, that you will leave me and
papa ?" cried Letitia, springing into her sister's arras
the same aAernoon as the latter was dressing in her own
room. Lady Hester sent away her maid, and embraced
Letitia with fondness.

** Do not weep, dearest Letty — nonsense now — what !
I declare you are all in tears. Kiss me, my beloved
sister — and beliv°.ve me it is no want of love for either
of you that disposes me to leave England."

" You forget that I have no other "ister beside your-
self — you forget that mamma, as you have often told
me, wished you to watch over me when I was brought
out, as I shall be now very shortly — I never thought
you could go from me Hester !" and the panting girl
burst into a more passionate fit of tears.

*' My stveet Lettv! Miss Gresham is an able and

3 m

rtiiMai

/ V r<

450

THE CANADIAN OIHL.

1.(3

conscientious governess, she will watch over you bette
than I can. Why do you distress me by such grie
dearest? I did not think you loved me so much. Harker
my dear, and I will tell you the true source of my de
termination ,*' and so locking the door, she sat dowi
on a chair, her sister throwing herself on a stool at her
feet, and laying her arm across Lady Hester's lap, while
she looked up in her face like an Hebe in tears. Letitia
was now turne I fifteen, tall for her age, slight and
graceful, with Jong hair of a sunny yellow, such as the
ancient Saxon ladies were wont to bo represented as pos-
sessing ; her complexion was exquisitely fair, and her
large, soft blue eyes, beamed with vivacity and sensi-
bility.

" Have you forgotten, Letty, the Captain who savo(
you from being drowned in Lake Erie ?" began Lad^
Hester,

Letitia's faco was doubly animated witii the recollec-
tion : — " Oh, no ! indeed I can never forget him ! Often
have I vished I could reward him .' How could you
think your Letty could be so unfrratcful as to forget the
man who risked his own life to sa\ e hers ? Giddy as
she is, she has a heart, Hester! When I am a little
older I will certainly find some means of repayinij him
— though indeed that is not to be done cither — for sup-
posing I gave him all I was worth, the preservation of
»uv lii'3 would still leave me in debt to him."

'• You are right, Letty, to cherish a deep gratitude
iTwad Captain, Ander on ; he nearly porislit'd while
itpHiiH!: l;l «i elf to > ..:ue you. But do you romemljcr
?ne Ms. Clinton s^i:'! Miss Anderson, who were in tlie
;'%ni>? vr«<iol /"

t(t^ v«afl. viAi« QlBbk

" O yes, very well — Mr. Clinton seemed to knoir
VO'l ?"

" He did know me, Letty," said Lady Hester, drop-
ping her voice, and colouring. " We were acquainted
when 1 was little older than yourself. We were attached
to each other, my Letty, but he was in dependent cir-
cumstances, and as soon as the Earl received a hint of
the matter, he removed me beyond his reach '*

" I never heard any thing of this before, dearest
Hester. I never imagined that you had been unhappy
before you were married. But how was it papa did not
know Mr. Clinton when he saw him in Toronto ?"

" He had not seen him in England, Letty, nor, 1 be-
lieve, had he heard his nam ). It was a mere hint of
the matter that he received, I ut that hint was sufficient
for him. I trust, my dear, y u may never be sacrificed
to family suitableness as I h&ve been."

" I will never marry one whom I do not love.'*

" Do not be too sure, Letty ; there are so many
influences to rob one of courage in such circumstances.
You cannot at present understand how much you may
have to encounter in support of such a decision. Bu:
may you be spared the painful trial ! Now, Letly, onc<
as you know I have been sacrificed, and have kno" '
the intolerable misery of being the wife of one Wi m
I could neither love nor respect, you cannot wonder,
therefore, that I am bent upon bestowing myself on
the man who won my first and lasting love — on M..
Gli'uton. You look surprised, Letty ; now you see the
motives for my seclusion from society since I came back
to England — do you not ? He is not possessed of oi.o
recommendation according to ix)litc usage j ho is neitlMr

452

THB CANADIAN OIBL.

high-born, mor titled ; he holds no place in the conrt or
the camp; he is not distinguished in the republic of
letters, or in the empire of politics; he is, as you know,
the son of a plain Captain Anderson, of a private cruiser
on an Ame can lake ; his sister is a plain Miss, who is
neither a wit, a blue-stocking, an heiress, or a member
of ton ; — yet I n.ean to be his wife, and this is my errand
abroad."

At fifteen, young ladies are not generally disposed to
view enthusiasm in love as a folly. Letitia entered into
her sister's feelings with such readiness, and with so
much fondness, that she was trebly endeared to Lady
Hester a.^erwards. Within her own mind Letitia set
her heart upon going with her sister, though of tiiis she
said nothing at present. Lady Hester's arrangements
for departure were speedily concluded, and a second
^^tter arrived from Clinton. He had not disclosed the
change in his fortunes, but wrote as the wandering, pen-
niless Clinton, of former days. Letitia's constitution
had lately manifested many tokens of extreme delicacy,
and her medical attendant frequently suggested that a
change of air, and especially a zea. voyage, would be of
essential service. She tried many little manoeuvres with
them to get them to pronounce that a second visit to
America might answer, and having in a measure suc-
ceeded, flew joyfully to apprise her father of the oracular
decision. The Earl was not so unwilling as she ex-
pected to find him, and even consented, as parliament
was prorogued, to take another voyage with his daughters
across the Atlantic, especially as he had received the
offer of a diplomatic mission in that quarter of the
world.

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

453

Agreeably to the Earl's permission Letitia prepared
for her own voyage, but privately, as she wished to give
her sister a pleasant surprise. The Earl had been pre-
vailed upon by her to r^oviceal their intentions until he
had made choice of a vessel, for which purpose he went
to Liverpool, and on his return found the sisters seated
together in the conservatory, the glass doors of which
were thrown back to admit the coy zephyrs of an August
noon. ^^ , 1,

** Here is papa !" exclaimed Letitia, springing up as
he entered from the shrubbery. *' Now we aiiall • ^'^w
when we are to quit this pleasant England again.

" We r echoed Lady Hester.

" Yes, we," returned Letitia, smiling; " papa and
I are going with you for a year."

" It is so, my love," responded the Earl ; " this ro-
mantic little girl would have me make a secret of it,
that she might astonish you, to be sure; however,
you must both be on the alert, for in a fortnight we
must be in Liverpool."

" This is very kind of you both," said Lady Hester,
imprinting a tender kiss on Letltia's delicate check, and
pressing her lather's hand, " very kind, and truly do I
thank you."

At the same time she was a little disturbed inwardly
— the presence of her father in America might cause her
embarrassment and pain. When alone with her sister
she made an observation to this effect, but the sanguine
Letitia 'vould net think so.

* I will undertake your cause, wy dearest Hester — I
will give him no r. t^l until he yields to your wishes, and
volunteers to give you away to Mr. Clinton as some

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

litth return for his having \)een th? means of makin^
yen onhappy before."

Lady Hester gently shook her head, but did not
otherwise damp the generous hopes of her glad sister,
who was as buoyant and light hearted as a bird during
the succeeding fortnight which preceded their setting
sail for Montreal.

Miss Gresham accompanied her pupil Pls neretoford.
Lad) Hester and Letitia took each her own maid with
her, and the Earl his valet, who was a Parisian, one of
the most accomplished of his class.

During the voyage, Lady Hester reflected with un-
easiness on the best way of communicating to the Earl
her intended marriage. She frequently consulted with
her s 'Hr, but Letitia was too young and inexperienced
to ))e 1 1 nvuch service as a giver of advice, though her
heart abounded in zeal for her.

" What important topic is it that you are daily de-
bating upon, I pray, young ladies ?'* inquired the Earl,
as they sat talking together in an important whisper, ot
deck, at the end of the third week of their voyage,
whilst darkness was stealing over the purple waters.

" You shall know to-morrow, papa," said Letitia,
with all her natural vivacity, disregarding Lady Hester's
admonitory look — " and a very important topic it is.
A motion is about to be brought into tlie house which I
hope you will not oppose ; it must be carried, as I have
often heard you say, with an overwhelming majority !"

" But Lady Letitia Wilton, if I am to vote upon the
measure it is necessary that I hear it debated — come,
what is it ? If you state it to me, with the substance o>
tlie Dumerou^ orations of yourself and your Bintet, )

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

455

shall at once end your suspense as to whelhc 1 shall
be upou the ministerial or opposition aide of the ques-
tion.*'

" The bill shall be laid upon the table — of your cabin
—to-morrow morning, and then, dear papa, we must
not hear of your being on the opposition benchi\s — I as*
sure you we must have the measure passed."

And, lo ! the next morning the Earl did indeed find
on his cabin table — not a bill — but a letter written by
Lady Hester, unfolding ker intentions in returning to
America, and eloquently setting before him the unhap-
piness she had heretofore endured from having done
violence to her inclinations. Never was man more
astounded than the Earl. He could scarcely credil
irhat he read. Was such infatuation possible ? Why
to Lady Hester Cleveland, the noblest and proudest
peers of England would have sued ! — and could she in-
tend to bestow herself on a man whom he wcuid blush
to see her servant — the son of a Pirate, forsooth! The
thought was incredible !

To Lady Hester he proceeded, and calmly questioned
Aer as to the reality of what she had stated in her com-
munication. She as calmly replied. The Earl then
expressed himself thus : —

" I beg you to understand, Lady Cleveland, that as
you have chosen to lay aside those considerations which
your rank and noble birth imperatively require you
should maintain, both for your own personal dignity and
the dignity of my family, which has never stoo|)ed to
'ally itself with commoners through a period of eight
centuries — as you have chosen so to disgrace yourself^ 1
beg you to believe that I shall separate myself from jrou

456

THE CANADIAN OIIIL.

•ntirely, after the first day of my landincr on the Aroe-
rican shores. I shall also removo Letitia from your
influence, as I do no* think proper to suffer her to im-
bibe the contamination of your example."

Saying ihis, he retired again from her presence. Le-
titia no sooner heard what had passed, which had filled
her sister's soul with dejection, than she hastened to
throw herself on her father's neck, and to plead Lady
Hester's cause. But the Earl was not to be moved ex-
cept by his daufjhter's renunciation of her chosen hus-
band, and she was so firm on that point, that flames
and tortures would not have compelled her to give him
up.

Highly uncomfortable did the rest of the journey
prove to all the party. The servants were never tired
of wondering what could have happened to make tbo
ladies look so downcast, and to cause the Earl to be so
distant with Lady Hester.

Clinton, meanwhile, knew by what vessel to expect
the arbitress of his future destinies, and, with his sister,
awaited her arrival in Montreal. The first day upon
which it was expected saw them arm in arm pacing the
river's bank nearly from sunrise to sunset. Clinton
was not to be withdrawn from his post, but having left
Jane at their lodgings for the night, returned and re-
mained by the river until the stars began to disappear
in the morning sky, then retired to his pillow for about
three hours, and again resumed his anxious watch.

This day passed as the preceding one. On the fol-
lowing forenoon, a pilot-boat going out to look for the
vessel, Clinton went with it. There had been a severe
gaie in the night, and he had worked himself up to •

im^:

'*, THE CA.VADIAN OIRT,

4d?

A I

pitch of alarm for La ly Hester's safety of the most ilis-
trossing intensity. As tlio boat moved down the St.
Lawrence, all the shipping and river-craft appeared
grievously damaged, which, if possible, '• lightened
Clinton's feacs. Tliesc fears, however, happily proved
ffronndless: the vessel had found shelter in the liarbonr
of Hie Island, one husubed and fifty-three miles below
Quebec.

Till' pilot ran his bnat clnso un.ler her side, and spolto
with t!io raptain, nh ) gladly received him on board, the
uaviffition of the Sf. Lawrenro beititr of a dilficult clia-
r icter. Clinton went upon deck with the ])ilot, and thus
came abruptly into the sight of the lilarl of VVdton, who
heard iiim ask the caj'tain if LiVf'y Clevehind was not
one of his passengers. Tlic captain having answered
in the affirmative, Clinton sent his canl down to her
cil)in. The Earl was pale with ang(M- ; ho moved as
though he uomI I have stepi)ed for\v;ud, intending to
ask him his business with Lady Hester, but his swelling
disdain of the presumptuou ; individual withheld him,
Clinton bowed to the Earl as soon as he perceived him,
)mt the latter, instead of returning the movement, as-
sumed a most chilling and stately aspect, and eyed him
with feigned surprise.

Clinton very well understood that his supposed mean-
ness of condition caused him to be thus treated. Men-
tally smiling in contempt, he turned away with an air
of perfect indifference. He was chagrined, however,
hat the Karl had accompanied Lady Hester, and felt
anxious to know whether he was acr^ainted with the
object of her voyage. If so, his looks indicated that the
detestation he might be expected to feel for so humbling

3 N

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

I.I

2.5

20
I

L25 |ya_L4 11.6

Hiotographic

Sciences

Corporation

23 WIST MAIN STRUT

VVHSTH.N.Y. US80

(716)t73-4S03

4.58

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

an alliance liis daughter had not by any means succeotlotl
in abating. This being the state of the Earl's feeliuoK,
Clinton saw much immediate discomfort, to say the least
of it, before himself and his betrothed. Notwithstaudiiig,
he did her the justice to believe, that, under no cir-
cumstances, however adverse, would she be induced to
revoke her voluntary consent to be his.

A note was brought to him by Lady Hester's maid,
which inspired him with a confidence and a joy that was
plainly apparent in his looks ; the damsel, who had re-
ceived from him a dollar for her errand, hastened to
whisper confidentially to Letitia's maid, and then to the
Earl's valet, that an English gentleman, who was despe-
rately in love with her lady, had come into the ship, and
that her ladyship had sent up a billet to him on deck,
and that the Earl was in a } retfy passion about it, as
any one might see.

The Earl was indeed brooding over the matter with
rising wrath, and he kept a most jealous watch over the
movements of Clinton all the time that the vessel was
making her way to Montreal.

Lady Hester, out of a filial respect for his antipathies,
refrained from seeing Clinton until the end of her
voyage, when, to put the steadiness of her intentions be-
yond doubt, she went up to the latter on the forecastle
of the ship, where he stood, only a fi^v yards apart from
her father, and presented him her hand, saying, at the
same time —

" Mr. Clinton, it was kind of you to come so far out
to meet me."

" I was fearful lest you had sudV'red from the storn).
Lady," saiJ he. " How have you borne the voyn.er'

* I *

THE CANATIAN GIRL,

459

" Admirably," she replied. " I hope your father
and sister are quite well ?"

" Quite well. I left Jane in Montreal, very desirous
of meeting you. And see, there she is on the shore —
she waves her hand to us."

" Jane!" said the Earl snseriugly aside, " and who
the devil is Jane 1 — some villainous maid of all work
at one of the taverns I suppose. O, Hester — Hester !
such a disgraceful part as you are now going to act is
enough to bring the countess, tiiy mother, from her
tomb to censure thee !"

Lady Hester returned Jane's salute familiarly, leaning
upon Clinton's arm, then accepted his assistance for
quitting the vessel.

" Miss Anderson, we meet again on American
ground," said Lady Hester, as Clinton presented her
to his sister.

" I am indeed glad to see your ladyship here in
safety," responded Jane.

The Earl and Letitia had likewise left the vessel, but
the latter had been sternly commanded by her parent
not to speak either to Clinton or Jane except they ad-
dressed her, and then to reply only with a manner so
distant as should " effectually check their impertinent
advances, by roniinding them of the great distance be-
tween their station and hers."

" Well, papa," quickly spoke Letitia, " and have
you made up your mind which side of the question j'ou
shall vote for 1 You see which side sister take*i."

" Lctiti;i, my child, it is very wrouir in

-ry
a jest of that which so disturbs your fatiier,

you to make

»»

Poor dear papa! what wicked children he has got

I! I

' V

4G)

Tlir. CANADIAN C.Ii'.L.

— T hope he will furgive us — I know our conduct is quite
unparliamentary."

The Earl did smile at the pretended seriousness of
his cliild, and would have laughed outrig!it had not his
tye happened to fall again on Lady Hester and Clinton,
who seemed too l^ippy for him, and his face darkened
directly.

PoorLelitia in reality little cared fur the distinctions
of rank and fortune; she longed to tell Jane ho^v glad
she was to meet her again, and ho\v right willing slio
felt for her sister's marriage with Clinton. But all such
uncalculating impulses were nipped as they sprung by
the Earl, whom she durst not disobey.

Lady Hester now withdrawing her hand from Cliiitun'.s
arm, stepped up to the Earl and Letitia, and inquired —

" Will you lead the way, dear sir, to that hotel in
which wo are expected T'

" It is in the street of the Hotel Dieii, Lady Cleve-
land ; there is but one house of the kind in that street —
YOU and your fri'-nds cannot miss it."

" My dear sir, you arc going with us 1 h()])e?"

" Not I. I would uphold the dignity of my fuinilv
with niy best blood if necessary. I will not give i\\\
countenance to your degradinii of it. SU'vo we sepa-
rate — unless you at once renounce your plans ! — plans,
which T again n:iy, involve a want of cousidciMtio.i, and
a want of d licacy, wliir;]i I ain surpri^.t'd to fiml in V![i
daughter !"

"Papa!'' cried Lctiiia, in an e.\'.ressive tone of ro'
monstrance and supplication, '• K\i\\v papa!"

" If it must be so, sir, I am deej)ly sorry," said
Ladv Hester, with a nobleness of air which sutfi^'cntly

* W »

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

401

rebutted his ill-deserved imputation of her being capable
of want of delicacy, while hev splendid countenance was
suffused with glowing vermillion.

" But my sister — shall she not be with me ?"

" No— I forbid her from maintaining any intercourse
with you," answered the Earl, with cool severity. " I
do not wish her to be infected with your present ignoble
sentiments ; I must look to her to rescue, in some de-
gree, the ancient ftimily to which you belong from the
blot you arc about to bring upon it."

The tears swam in Letitia's soft eyes, and trickled
down her transparent cheek,

" Well then, beloved Letty ! here, but fur only a
little while I trust, we part," said Lady Hester. " I
know vour heart, dearest — you love me well ! God
bless you ! Do not be dejected on my account — I shall
make myself as much at ease as I can. Perhaps you,
dear sir, will know me better some day."

*' Talon !" called the Earl in a sharp accent to his
valet, who was overlooking the luggage of the party at
the brink of the river, " let the coachman help you to
put Lady Letitia's and my trunks upon the carriage, and
make haste."

" And not Lady Cleveland's, my lord ?"

" No — Lady Cleveland does not go with us."

Clinton and Jane heard every word that passed, and
sensibly felt Lady Hester's painful position, which
served to make her dearer to them both. Miss Gresham
vvi.s in tears, as well as Letitia, for she was much at-
tached to Lady Hester.

" Your ladyship has my best wishes for your happi-
ness," said she, as she was turning to join her pupil.

4G2

THE CAXADiAN GIRL.

" I believe it, and I thank you," returned Lady
Hester, emphatically, her lip quivering with emotion,
yet forcing a smile. "Now, Mr. Clinton," she turned
to him as the governess moved away, " you have proved
me capable of sacrificing the whole world to you — for
family pride, and family affection, and public reputation,
have been the world to mf ."

" My whole fuLure life shall be devoted to one only
aim — your rccomi)ense !"' he ejaculated.

" And I," said Jane, modestly, yet with fervour,
'' will never be found wanting in gratitude; in sacrificing
to my brother, you have sacrificed to me — for I am a
sharer in all that concerns his happiness. My father,
too, will be glad to minister to your ladyship's felicity
in every way that is in his power."

" Pray, my dear Miss Anderson, let me have no more
of the ' ladyship,' " cried Lady Hester, compelling
every appearance of a pained mind to vanish from her
face; " henceforth we are to be on terms of perfect
equality you know."

" So let it be !" exclaimed the happy Clinton, moving
forward from the quay between them, " and after this
moment we arc plain Hester, Jane, and Clinton, with
each oilier.'*

Lady Hester fancied that both the sister and brother
had suffered her to place herself on a level with them
with more case than she had altogether anticipated.
Slie observed that both were well, and oven handsomely,
and as thov were "oing to the street of the

dressed

Hotel Dieu, Clinton drew a superb gold watch from his
waistcoat pocket to see the time, whereby she plaiidy
perceived that their circumstances were altered for the

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

4G3

better, though she little dreamed of the extent of the al-
teration."

" Is your father in the same vessel as formerly ?" she
inquired, anxious for an explanation.

" No, he has left the lakes entirely," answered Clin-
ton ; ** in a few days you shall see him ; he lives now
in the seigniory of Rougemont, and has no connexion
whatever with his former associates ; nor, I am sure,
will he ever again have,"

" I rejoice to hear you say so ; and how, may I ask,
is he at presetat provided for ?"

Clinton glanced meaningly at Jane, and replied —
" You shall know all about it when you see him. Of
this be assured, that he is lining honestly, and, I believe,
is happier than ever he was in his life before. Jane and
I reside with him — and soon, I hope," he added, speaking
in a softer cadence, and with irresistible tenderness,
" you will join us there, and so complete our felicity."

In all this there was something inexplicable to Lady
Hester, and she was to be pardoned, perhaps, if, not-
withstanding what Clinton had said, she felt a few mis-
givings as to the nature and source of tlie prosperity of
the Pirate and his children, Jane was Lady Hester's
companion in the hotel, and every hour they grew more
intimately social witli each other. As soon as the
latter had a little rocovcM-cd from the fatigue of the
voyage, Clinton pressed her to go to llougemont. She
consented, and the first frost of the season having set in,
a carriole was hired, as she supposed, for the journey,
Dut on stepping from the hotel entrance to take her seat
m it, she was surprised to see the equipage of a person
of distinction awaiting her. Dubiously she cast her

J I-'

464

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

ej'es around looking for one of humbler pretensions,
but none such appeared at hand ; at that instant Clinton
came out to lead her to the carriole steps, beside which
a footman stood in lace and gold. To heighten her
perplexity, the servant touched his hat to Clinton, and
replied to some direction the latter gave him as he took
the reins into his hand, " very avoII, my lord."

Jane now came from the hotel door.

" Think you there is time for us to reach Rougemont
before niohtfall ?" she asked tlie footman.

" O yes, your ladysliip, plenty of time," he answered,
as he folded up the steps after she had seated herself
beside Lady Hester.

" I am bewildered with what I hear and see !" ex-
claimed the latter, when Clinton had sprung in ; " pray
one of you unravel the mystery to mo !"

" Not yet," said the delighted Clinton.

The sun was declining from its meridian when the
carriole entered the seigniory of Rougemont, They
shortly after perceived a horseman approaching.

*' It is my father I" cried Clinton, causing the speed
of the vehicle to Le slackened.

■ Wonder upon wonder for Lady Hester. The Pirate
of the Vulture was now in dress and in bearing a gen-
tleman ; the horse he rode was a beautiful bay ; and
as he lifted his diamonded bonnet from his head, and
bowed to her with an air of profound respect, the majesty
of his person was very striking, and indicated a con-
scious superiority,

Clinton stopped the carriole, and the Pirate rode up
to it.

"I should have set out for Montreal tomorrow

if
i

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

4(;.5

Ivovf

morning in search of you if you had not come," crietl
he, addressing his son and daughter. " Lady Cleveland,
you are truly welcome to Rougemont — it shall te the
study of our lives to make you happy here." ,

She articulated her thanks ivith excited feelings. The
carriole then proceeded slowly along a noble avenue of
oaks and elms, the Pirate riding by it, conversing with
his children and occasionally with Lady Hester, who
wondered how all this would end.

The equipage in a little time came in front of a man-
sion of the first class, and stopped at an imposing en-
trance supported by white marble pillars. The footman
thundered at the door, then lowered the steps of the
carriole as the Pirate dismounted and stood uncovered,
while Lady Hester was handed into the house by Clinton.
At the door of the room into which she was ushered,
there stood another of her former acquaintances of the pi-
rate ship — this was no other than Deborah, who had been
rewarded for her disinterested attachment to Jane by
being made housekeeper here. She was arrayed in the
thorough British style of her order — a large cap, fur-
nished with at least half a dozen yards of gay ribbon,
adorned her head, under the shadow of which her broad
red face appeared shining in gladness and content; her
stout figure had enlarged itself under the influence of
the good cheer with which she took care that her larders
were supplied, and was comfortably clad in red poplin,
set off by a white apron and an enormous frill.

" What are you here too, Deborah ?" said Lady
Hoster, as the Irish girl threw open the door and dropped
a low curtsy.

" O yis indeed, my lady, it's mysilf at any rate — my

3 o

4GG

THE CANADIAN OfKl.

ill

lord, the Marquis, has befrinded me grately, and I owe
it all to Misthress Jane — I mane to my Lady Jane,
begging her pardon a thousand times. May yer lady-
ship see many joyful days here, and that's the sincare
wish of my sowl."

*' ' My lord the Marquis !' — ' Lady Jane !' — what can
all this mean ?" thought the agitated Lady Hester.

The room was richly decorated — the walls and ceiling
were painted with historical scenes — the furniture was
of the most handsome and costly description — the win-
dows looked out upon grounds laid out with elaborate
care and skill.

" Now, idolised Hester ! — now, my own — my be-
loved!" exclaimed Clinton, as she stood bewildered and
panting with powerful emotions, after he had shut the
door, while his father and sister were speaking with
Deborah in the hall, " you shall know whom you have
consented to marry. I am the son of one who owns a
rank still higher than that of your father. I am the
heir of all that you see around — nor only of this, but of
the whole seigniory in which we are. You have not
banished yourself from the circles for which you were
born by consenting to bestow yourself on me. I am the
Earl of Wilton's equal, and I will wed you, Lady Hester,
before the eyes of that world which you have so nobly
disregarded for my sake. My father, now the Marquis
of Rougemont, shall go to the Earl and purchase his
consent to our union by such marriage-settlements as
will far exceed any thing that he could make for a child
of his."

He then related to her all the circumstances that had
attended their coming into possession of the estate and

/HE CANADIAN OIKi.

4«j7

titlo. Lady Hester then said — " Do not ihink, Clinton,
that you have made my head altogether giddy with de-
light by this change of prospect. I felt extremely proud
of the sacrifice I was making for you, and hoped, by
its means, to secure you to myself with such ties as
could never be broken. Now, I am afraid, in making
your marriage with me a matter of formal family ar-
rangements, you will become a mere fashionable hus-
band, and I, by consequence, an indifferent wife; and
so all my romantic notions of our superlative felicity
in the kingdom of Hymen will vanish away like other
air-built fabrics."

" Never 1" cried Clinton, with sincerity and passion
in his transported glance, as he pressed his lip to her
passive hand, " never! From my boyhood I have loved
but you ! and to the last hour of my life you shall be
my soul's treasure and joy I*

i»»

468

THE CANADIAN OinL.

CHAPTER XXVI.

Who are these evil guests, that thus
Break uninvited in upon our privacy ?"

i ! 'I

i Hi'

That early friend of Clinton who was lately spoke.'
of, had delayed to write to Pastor Wilson until Lady
Hester took her second and permanent leave of Eng-
hmd. By her he sent two separate letters for the
Pastor iind Clinton, in the former of which he detailed
the information Lady Hester had imparted concerning
the existence of the grandchildren and the son-in-law
of the Pastor in America, and hoped he would soon meet
with them if he had not hitherto. In the other epistle
to Clinton, he dwelt upon the relationship of Pasto)
Wilson to his friend, and upon what he had learned
of the settlement of the good Pastor in Upper Ca-
nada.

Clinton was delighted to hear from his old schoolfel-
low and playmate, and after scanning the letter in a
cursory way, read it aloud to his father, his sister, and
Lady Hester, while seated with them at dessert.

*' It is very odd," said Jane, who was bending ovor
a peach that she was unconsciously dissecting on hi-r

THK CANADIAN GIUL.

4G(]

pUtt

that Nicholas and I should both havo lived so

lono- in the lodge without discovering our relationship,
or that the Pastor was our grandfather."

" Or that Arthur Lee was our cousin," added
Clinton, archly. Jane's knife slipped along the plate,
and her blushing face drooped still lower over the
peach.

" Do not mind him, Jenny," said the Pirate, " we
had the laugh against him a little while ago. But what
say you, must we not go and see this grandfather and
cousin?"

" With all my heart !" cried Clinton, who was ex-
ceedingly desirous of beholding his sister in possession
of prospects as blissful as those which were before his
own view. , ; . .

Who was to go was the next question. Clinton was
not disposed to take Lady Hester thither at present,
lest she should hear of Lucy, neither was he willing thai;
his father should go, as he wanted him to proceed im-
mediately to Montreal, to make terms with the Earl for
Lady Hester's hand. The idea would have been put
off, therefore, at his suggestion, had he not perceived
in Jane's eye a delight at the proposed journey indica-
tive of a feeling of which he had had too deep an ex-
perience not to sympathise with it. While the matter
was under discussion. Lady Hester, who had been in-
formed by Clinton of Mr. Lee's attachment for Jane,
and who participated in his wishes for her happiness,
disposed of the difficulty by declaring her intention of
going with the Pirate to endeavour to change the Earl's
mind in respect to her intended marriage.

" While the Marquis and 1 are gone on this mission,'

470

I'llF. CANADIAN GIRL.

li^

said she, " you, Clinton and Jane, must transport your-
jselves to Pastor Wilson's lodge, and, on a day which we
will appoint, meet us here again."

Clinton was very reluctant to leave his beautiful afH-
anced, but his objections were overruled by her and by
the Pirate.

" You may be sure of this if we do go," said he,
gaily, " there will be two marriage parties in Rougn-
mont instead of one, shortly."

" There will be no such thing, Nicholas — how can
vou talk so !" remonstrated Jane.

" He must not be too sure that there will be owe,"
cried Lady Hester, sharing in Jane's confusion : " let
me tell him that ladies do not like too much confidence
on the part of their admirers — ^humility should be the
lover's creed."

" At all events, I hope you will bring the Pastor with
you," remarked the Pirate, " I should much like to
see the old gentleman hero."

*' We will do our best to bring both him and Mr.
Lee, will we not, Jane?" returned Clinton.

" You are very provoking," cried the palpitating girl,
as she rose from table and retreated from the dining-
room to indulge in solitude those feelings which the
prospect of meeting Arthur again had revived in her
breast.

! To come back once more to the Pastor's lodge, it
seemed very probable that Clinton's prediction con-
cerning the double marriage would be verified, for
when he and his sister prepared to return to Ilouge-
niont, Mr. Lee was with them as the husband-elect ot
Jane. The Pastor could not leave his flock, but ho

I
S

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

4:1

?»

■exacted a promise from Arthur and Clinton that their
marriage ceremonies should be solemnised by no other
than himself, and in no other place than the lodge. Both
the young men argued in favour of Rougemont, for both
had the ill-fated Lucy in their mind ; but the Pastor
persisted in his wish, to which they reluctantly yielded.
Clinton had another motive, and it was his principle one,
for being averse to the celebration of his marriage in
the lodge — the settler Joshua's tale might come to Lady
Hester's hearing and disturb her peace. Con;L.^.Ience
made him painfully uneasy in respect to the affair with
Dan ; though years had passed since it took place, the
load which it had fastened on his mind was no more
lightened than if it had happened yesterday.

Upon the day which had been appointed for the return
of Jane and Clinton from the lodge, and of the Pirate
and Lady Hester from Montreal, the former, with Mr.
Lee, drove up in the sleigh to the front portico of the
mansion. Clinton knocked loud and long, and made
the hall entrance reverberate with the ringinofof the bell,
but to his wonder and alarm no servant answered the
summons.

'* This is most unaccountable !" he exclaimed ; and
while he stood a moment listening to hear if he could
distinguish any one a;iproaching within, he fancied that
he detected the sound of laughter and of coarse sitioin'r

" The servants must have abused the confidence that
has been put in them, Jane," said he, " there is vulgar
revelling going on in the house."

" I can hardly think Deborah would be unfaithful to
us," observed Jane, astonished, " and she had tho
command of the — hark I indeed you are right, Nicholai,

^'yfm

472

THE CANADIAN GinL.

t
f-

p
1

I-

i
1

(

ii ,'

I J.'

there is revellini; ffoinor on." The mincjled clamour of
laughing, shouting, and singing, became for an instant
plainly distinguishable, and to complete the dismay
of Jane, seemed to come from the best room of the house,
the window-shutters of which were closed, though it was
now the middle of the day. Jane alighted from the
sleigh with as much celerity as possible, and with Clinton
hastened round to the back entrance, while by their
desire Mr. Lee awaited the issue of their observations.

'• I am the more astonished," remarked Clinton,
because this is the day upon which Deborah was to ex-
pect us — of course my father and Lady Hester cannot
A'et have arrived." ■ > < ■

A door in the right wing of the house stood ajar,
riiey entered, Clinton going first, and Jane following
with indefinite alarm.

A tumult of rough male voices, rising to the highest
pitch of which they were capable in drunken mirth, just
tlien re-echoed through and through those parts of the
dwelling which were set apart for the reception of com-
pany. Jane recoiled, and exclaimed —

" O, Nicholas ! those are not the servants — I dare
not go forward !"

Clinton paused and listened in amazement, which
was quickly superseded by indignant wrath. A peal of
laughter, more boisterous than before, and long con-
tinued, came upon his ears, and then there followed a
noise such as might be produced by the sudden smashing
of glasses and bottles, together with the upsetting of a
heavy table and several chairs.

" Jane, go back to Mr. Lee, and tell him to ride off
with you to the nearest magistrate," cried Clinton,

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

473

hurriedly. " I will soon deal with these ruffians in a
manner they wont like probably."

" Don't you think they are robbers?" inquired Jane,
pale and trembling.

" Robbers ! — } es, but such as unfortunately ray fa-
ther has had too much to do with in former times."

" Do you suppose they are the Pirates 1"

" I arn sure of it; — but go instantly to Mr. Lee, and
request him to send officers here without a moment's de-
lay!"

" But, Nicholas," hesitated Jane, " if that be done
you do not know what may be the consequence — they
may impeach my father."

" True, true ; that is a consideration of instant moment.
What is best to be done ! To endure this intrusion,
even with moderate patience, is impossible ! Where can
the servants be? However, I cannot let you remain
here. Go as I said, Jane. Yet stay — Mr. Lee had
better drive to a little distance. You know it is most
likely that Lady Hester and my father are near, and
the Earl of Wilton may be with them, it would be
dreadful to think of her and the proud peor coming
into the hearing of a horrid uproar like this — you must
watch for them, and contrive to prevent them from ap-
proaching."

" All hands ahoy !" roared a tarred and ruffianly-
looking mariner, who had been lying, unperceived by
Clinton or Jane, in a half Intoxicated state on the inside
of the doorw.iy. Jane started toward Clinton with af-
fright, and the follow rose staggering to his feet, clapping
the door into its listenings with the whole force of his
l^rawnv arm.

3 V

474

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

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11 •

" What do you want liere ?" sternly demanded Clin-
ton.

" What do I want here ?" repeated the mariner ; " I
want liquor to be sure ! and you have got plenty of the
primest sort, that I will say — I never tasted better in all
my life, never."

" \'^'^liy have you and your companions come here in
this disgraceful way ?" again asked Clinton with in-
creasinjj choler.

•' That isn't a question" (hiccuping) " to be answered
all in a breath ; for why, there was many reasons for
our steering this way to" (hiccupping again) " see our
old Cap'n — we hard of his coming to a Marquis and a
fort'n, that was one reason; we found the sniufrglinfr
trade no go, and wanted a little help in the cash way —
d'ye see— and that wur another reason — there's two on
'em for'ee, if you wants honny more you must go and
ax my mates."

Clinton whispered with Jane a moment while the
sailor found his equilibrium by planting his back dgainst
the door.

" Let this lady pass out," said Clinton.

" Call me an ass if I do," returned the fellow,
pluckincr a quid of tobacco from his jacket pocket, and
thrusting it into his left cheek.

" What do you mean by that ?" cried Clinton, whom
prudential considerations for the Pirate's safety could
hardly restrain from knocking the man down.

*' Ax my mates, they'll tell'ee," said the mariner, in
reply, and with a silver tooth-pick that Jane had left in
her dressing-room he commenced picking his teeth.

*' Do not contend with him, my brother," whispered

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

475

ihe terrified Jane ; " rather endeavour to argue the mat-
ter with the more sober of the party — if, indeed, they
have not all lost their senses," she added, as a second
clatter of breaking glasses and falling chairs was over-
powered by vociferated shouts of jovial merriment.

" I cannot longer endure this !" exclaimed Clinton,
advancing to the mariner ; " Stand away from the
door!"

The fellow discharged from his mouth the tobacco-
imprognated saliva, then responded, without moving an
inch— "You be !"

In the twinkling of an eye Clinton had sprung on
him and hurled him along the passage .

But this act did not effect the object intended, for
as Jane was retreating with all the hurry of fear, she was
caught back by another Pirate, a Pole, near seven feet
in heiglit, exhibiting enormously long and bushy whis-
kers and mustachios, of an uncertain colour bordering
u])on red : he had come from the great hall staircase,
and, like the discomfited mariner, was in an intoxicated
condition.

" Ah, what, a lady here !" cried he in bad French,
*' I must have a look at you !"

" Let go my hand, sir !" she cried in excessive alarm.

" Nay, my dear, you must not go — I must have a
sight of your face," and he leered with disgusting fa-
miliarity, ihiit was deservedly checked by a stunning
blow from the irritated Clinton, who would immediately
have passed her through the contested doorway, out of
reach of the drunken reprobates, had not a third indi-
vidual, who had folloived close on the heels of the Pole,
presented himself in the way. It v/as Gilpin, whose

'i ■

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47G

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

reckless courage had made him famous among his out-
lawed brethren.

"Ha! ha! ha! Mr. Scrynecki ! how did you relish
that ?" he cried. " *Twas as neat a lick as ever I saw
out of New York State."

" Master Gilpin," cried tho Pole, now adopting the
English tongue, which he spoke even worse than French,
while he rubbed his forehead with one hand, and
smoothed his long raustachios with the other, " thish
ish te firsht time in my life ttvt T hath be struck, and,
par Dieu ! it shall be te lar' t! I shall kill him dead
tat inshult me, par Got !"

" Who says Scrynecki is a coward and will bear any
thing from any man ?" laughed Gilpin. " Hark to tlio
hero's big words ! Hurrah for the Polander ! But
stop young lady a moment, I must have a peep at your
pretty face as well as Scrynecki. Why ! is it INIiss An-
derson? 1 ask your pardon ! Jack Gilpin will never
be the man to affront youf He hasn't forgotten your
sewing up the bandages of his shattered arm after tlio
fight with the d law bullies on board ship."

The Pole, notwithstanding his big words, had made
no attempt to return the blow he had received j he was
indeed the coward of his band.

The mariner, moredangerously vindictive, bad quickly
managed to rise from the floor on which Clinton had
thrown him, and with that mad maliijnitv which too
much ardent drink is apt to excite in sonic jucn, had
planted himself again in front of the door, having a
large pocket knifo unclasped in his hand, at the sight
«if which Jane trembled and covered her eyes.

Clinton threw his arm around her waist, and, rntreat-

•I

THE CANAOIAN Oi:U.

477

ins lier not to be iifiaid, stood an instant collectinf;
himself, and restraining his passion, that he might judge
what was best to be done He was unarmed, and pru-
dence told him that in a struggle with a numerous and
armed band of ruffians, he could have small chance of
success ; but the fire of his impetuous blood would not
have sutFered him to lisien to this argument, had not
his sister been there — for her sake he restrained himself.
While he paused indeterminately, Gilpin confronted
the mariner."

" Come, stand on one side," said he.

" Call me a fool if I do then," was the reply.

" Now, 1 tell you what, Billy," said Gilpin, " T
don't want to have any quarrel with you, only stand
quietly on one side; but if you won't, mind you, why,
as sure as 1 first saw daylight in New York State, I'll
make you ! You know Jack Gilpin is no Polander—
wht*t he says is as much gospel as if the president said
it — you know that Billy, don't you ?"

" Hah I Master Gilpin ! par Got !"' were the fierce
exclamations of the Pole, his formidable whiskers and
mustachios bristling up so as to become still more for-
midable. " What you mean tat you no Polander, ha ?
Let me say you tat te Polanders as you name tem, be te
bravest men in all te vvarld I"

" Then take my word for it you are not one of them,'*
said Gilpin, scoffingly ; " all the bravery you have you
might sell for five farthings, and the buyer would be
taken in,"

" Master—master Gilpin, saire," articulated the exas-
perated Mr. Scrynecki with difficulty, being overpowered
w.th passion, " I wash at te battaile of Warsaw— te

478

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

■»»

i I

( ,

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I L'

II •

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II I
li Jl I

great battaile, saire! — I was tere when it conquer te
lluss !"

" So was many a calf, I dare say, and made as great
a noise as you," sneered Gilpin. " But come, Billy,
move oft", and lot Miss Anderson pass out. You wont,
wont you ? What d'ye say to that then ?" and he
suddenly pulled a pistol from his belt, and held it to
the mariner's temples. " Give me the knife — that's it.
Now move nearer this way — nearer — Miss Anderson
the door is free to you."

The mariner muttered a fierce oath of genuine British
origin, and, excited to so imprudent an action by the
fumes of the liquor he had drank, raised his arm and at-
tempted to dash back the pistol from its alarming con-
tiguity to his head; in doing which it went off, and all
its deadly contents lodged themselves in his brain. He
leaped half a yard from the ground, and fell on his face
on the floor. One dismal cry broke from his lips — he
rolled over on his back — jjartly rose as he grappled with
the king of terrors — sank again — stretched liimsclf con-
vulsively, and ceased to breathe.

Horror was depicted on the countenances of the
startled persons standing by. Jane, pallid and faint,
rushed mto the open air. Clinton stood paralysed. The
Pole stooped over the body, and witli the poor wretch's
jacket corner tried to stanch the blood which issued
from the wound ; while Gilpin, with the pistol still in
his hand, seemed like Clinton transfi.ved with dismay
and surprise.

The noise of the pistol shot had penetrated into the
scene of conviviality in the chief salo?i of the mansion,
where all the band of unwelcome intruders wore assem-

TIIK CANADIAN GIRL.

'-9

Wed, excepting only three who had been prowling
throu \ the other parts of the house in search of portable
articles of value which they might purloin ; these three
were the Pole, the mariner, and Gilpin.

Tlie scone in tlie saloti was strange indeed, and in
no sniiill degree ludicrous. Upwards of forty Pirates
wore seated on delicate Grecian couches, fauteuils, and
damasked chairs, at rosewood tables furnished with food
of the most heterogenous description.

One was resalinff himself on luscious hothouse fruits ;
one on delicate confectionary, of which whole dishes
were vanishing with incredible rapidity ; another on bread
and cheese, with which he was drinking fine Spanish
wine ; a fourth on a cold turkey ; and a fifth was luxu-
riating among a set of jars filled with delicious prescr'-<>s,
jellies, and creams.

" These sort of seats are d n fine inventions, ttrn't

they ?" cried one to his companions, as he threw up his
dirty feet on the downy cushions of a silken coucli.

" Very — and so is the vittels," was the dry response
of a sturdy squarc-bui'c dwarf, who reposed his half-
clad limbs on a similar piece of furniture, while he
emptied by a succession of draughts a bottle of claret
he held in his hand.

All the party seemed to enjoy the novelty of the
situation with the relish of overgrown children. The
servants of the house had been compelled to brint>
hither for them the choicest contents of the larders and
the wine-cellars. Nay, they must have the best table
utensils, too, that the mansion would afford ; cupboards
of plate and china had been broken open, and articles,
curious and rich, brought out to view that had not seen

> \

,111

480

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

the light for very many years before. How would it
have shocked the mother of the late Marquis of Rouge-
mont, with all her nice and lofty prejudices, could she
have witnessed this desecration of the most precious me-
mentos of her ancestry ! But, happily for her, she slept
on with profound peace in her tomb in the chapel at-
tached to the mansion, nor knew aught of what was going
on in the scenes around. She would have shrunk aghast
from the bare idea of a dinner in this her grand salo7i!
an ordinary meal indeed had never appeared within its
distinguished bounids ; how much less the abominations
that now polluted it, and mingled in strange contrast
with the dainties the servants had been compelled to
bring! The princely apartment even smelt strongly of
onions — ^the quin, essence of barbarism — and with that
vile effluvia began to blend a scent of kindred merits —
that of fobaccOy i^liose reeking fumes ascended to the
gilded flutings of the ceiling from at least a dozen com-
mon short pipes !

" WhoM ha' had any hidea of our old cap'n coming
to be master of a place as fine as this !" soliloquised a
sleepy privateer, who had gorged as much of all descrip-
tion of eatables as his stomach, one of the most capacious
dimensions, could possibly contain, while his eye sur-
veyed the three ancient, but gorgeous, chandeliers, that
vrere pendant at proper intervals from the roof, and
which it had been the wild pleasure of the crew to have
completely lighted up, shedding on the motley picture
below a flood of intense brilliance, such as had not il-
luminated the salon for nearly a century.

" Yet, somehow," continued the speaker, as his head
at short intervals began to nod on his breast, " I fan-

111

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

481

cied he was born to a fort li — he was so scholarly, and
held his head so high — and — and so — " sleep prevented
the conclusion, and he shortly slipped down upon the
thick and costly carpet, snoring loudly, with his face
downwards, and his arms extended. Sea songs were
then sung by single voices and in chorus, to which the
loftiness and expansion of the apartment gave full effect;
the richly-wrought tables were thundered upon with the
fist as manifestations of applause — mock combats were
enacted in sport — bottles were thrown at each other, and
furniture broken in pieces — and still the fellow snored
on as soundly as if he had drank opium.

The report of Gilpin's pistol disturbed the men
at their carousals. The leaders among them were the
first to lay their hands on their weapons, and to
start from their seats, with looks prepared for a bloody
contest in case there was any opposition about to be of-
fered to their will. A sudden stillness spread itselt
through the salon, rendered remarkable by the tremend-
ous uproar of the preceding minute. During that still
ness a heavy footstep, well known to most of the pri-
vateers, was heard approaching the door on which all
eyes were bent. The door was opened, and the colossal
ligure of the proprietor of the mansion, the former chi( i
of the Pirates, presented itself before the crew. He
paused a moment, surveying the scene with wonder.

" Upon my word, sirs," said he, " this is an honour
I liad not anticipated. Pray how did you gain an en
trance into the house ?"

" We boarded her with pistols cocked, to be sure,"
re))lied the present captain of the Pirates ; " how else
sliould jolly buccaneers gain an entrance into houses or

3 Q

482

THB CANADIAN QIRU

I! !

ships, think you ?" and he laughed loudly, and nodded
his head to his applauding band.

" And my servants, especially Merry and Ha^erstraw,
did they not endeavour to prevent you ?"

" To be sure they did — but we soon tripped up their
heels, and stowed them away in the beer-cellar — and no
bad place either, if your beer be as good as your wine.
Marquis — and so here's wishing you no worse company
than a jolly set like ourselves," draining a goblet of
the wine which he praised.

Here Clinton came to the door also, and appeared
surprised to see his father there.

•' How did yoi', get in ?'* said he ; " and where is
Lady Hester ?"

" I left her in Montreal," was the reply to the last
interrogatory. " I found the kitchen door open, and
came through the servants hall."

Did you see Jane and Mr. Lee ?"
I saw Mr. Lee — he gave me some idea of what was
going forwards here, but any thing so bad as this I little
expected to find."

" For heaven's sake, sir, be cautious how you act !
both I and Jane have already run no small risk from
them — they are all intoxicated ; one of them now lies
dead in the passage, shot by Gilpin, who interfered for
Jane's protection."

" Is she in the house ?"

((

«(

" No — she must have been hastening from it as

you
entered it.

*' Leave nie, and look afb?r her, Nicholas," said tlio
Pirate, speaking decisively. " Do not fear for me. I

know how to

lecisi
manajre

these fellows, believe me.

»»

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

483

Only be cautious, sir! for they are like devils let
loose."

«« I will, I will— go."

This dialogue had not occupied half a minute, and
had been spoken, scarcely above a whisper, in French,
which only a few of the large number of the privateers
understood. Clinton turned with hasty steps to look
for the fritrhtened Jane, and the Pirate advanced alone
into the midst of the salon without the least hesi-
tation.

" Well, gentlemen, now be so good as let me know
the meaning and object of this visit. You cannot sup-
pose that 1 shall endure such insolent intrusions when-
ever it may please you to make them."

The tontrues of the whole band of ruffians were
straightway unloosed, and all speaking together, de-
manded money from him.

" Give us fifty Louis-d'ors a piece !" cried some.

" Give us four thousand dollars among us all !" cned

others.

" Your demands, gentlemen, are extremely moderate,
I must allow," said the Pirate, with irony, « extremely
moderate. And how often do you intend to visit me
for a repetition of the amount ?"

" As you have come into a fort'n," said the present
captain, " we have a right to a share in it."

" So we have. Skipper !*' was the clamourous re-
sponse.

" What are you better than us ?" resumed their cap-
tain. " We have stood alongside of you in all weathers
and never cried quarter to any man ! Come, then —
give us a good round heap of coin apiece, and we'll

484

Tllli CAN/VDIAN OIRU

not trouble you a ^ain for three years. That's reasonable,
isn't it, my jolly buccaneers ?"

" To be sure it is reasonable !" was the deafening
echo.

" And what's reasonable I hope will be agreeable,"
continued the orator. " We want nothing whatever
that's unfair ! We have stood by you when the weather
was squally, and now we wont let you break up part-
nership with us when it's shiny. You've helped your-
self out of our meal-tub, and we'll help ourselves out of
your meal-tub."

" Indeed !" cried the Pirate : " let me ask you it
the vessel which I suppost "ou have now was not mine,
and all that was in it too '.' And when I parted from
you, did I not leave myself actually destitute of every
thing excepting only the little money that had been
given me by the persons whose lives I saved ? I know
you afterwards gave me my cabin furniture - but what
was that compared with what I left behind 't What did
I gain among you ? Depraved as I knew you to be, I
never thought yon capable of despicable ingratitude like
this ! Away with you ! false, worthless, scoundrels !
You shall never force a dollar from me ! It is no use
attempting to frighten me with your savage looks !
Contemptible rascals ! I am ashamed that ever I had
connexions with vou!"

" Let us have the value of twenty Louis-d'ors each,"
shouted the band simultaneously, " and we will be sa-
tisfied !"

" I will not !" fiercely returned the Pirate, with in-
vincible determination. " I tell you I will not be com'
pelled to give a single piece of moooy to any of you !

\^'

Tttls CANADIAN GIRL..

485

VVnat have you known cJ rae that could lead you to
believe I would pay you for breaking open my doors,
ransacking my house, and ill-using my servants ? Per-
haps you thought to force me to do your will by those
weapons which I see you have in your hands — but de-
pend upon it, it as difficult to intimidate the Marquis
of Rougemont as it was Captain Anderson of the Vul-
ture ! I have faced death before to-day, gentlemen.
I acknowledge that at this instant I am quite in your
power, and I know you are base and dastardly enough
even to attack a defenceless man. But you will not
see me flinch ! Fire all of you ! I will give you
notfmig by compulsion ! — nothing I say ! You all near
me — by heaven you shall extort nothing from me ! Here
is my breast — fire ! — worthless and ungrateful villams !
fire on the man who beggared himself, and forfeited
name and peace, to serve you !"

His dauntless and commanding bearing staggered
the crew, who looked at one another as if dubious of
their own resolves.

" We don't want to do you the least injury at all,"
said the present captain, in a conciliatory way ; " only
it's no use your turning rusty about it; here wo are,
and it isn't to be expected that we should go away
without some satisfaction. Come, we'll meet you half
way — there are something about fifty of us — give us
ten Louis- d'ors each and we'll go back to the ship di-
rectly."

*' Not so much as a dollar!" repeated the Pirate very
positively. " Not a coin in gold or silver, by heaven I
Had you come to me in a proper way 1 would have
made you a present of not a mean value with the ut-

186

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

in,

most willingness of heart — but I will not be threatened
into any thing !"

" Then all hands shall stay here till you alter your
mind, Marquis, that's all," said the other, sitting down
with a dogged air. " So you may do as you like. And
here's another thing it behoves me to speak of since you
are so wonderful obstinate. At the time our vessel was
lying-to off Toronto harbour two > r three years back,
when your son fir^t came on board, we made him clap
his name down in our books as a sworn buccaneer;
well now, if you don't let us have the money we want,
and its no great deal to make a fuss about, one of us
shall 'peach, and then good bye both to your Marquis-
ship and him. So do as you like — do as you like.
Here's your health — this is prime liquor — Teneriffe, I
think it was ticketed in the cellar."

The coolness of the speaker was proportionate to the
importance of his declaration. The Pirate was indeed
taken at an advantage ; he gazed at the other with a
changing countenance. To be obliged to succumb now
was insupportable. His pride, which constituted so
large a portion of his character, revolted from the ne-
cessity. But at all hazards, he felt that he must preserve
his son from public disgrace and ruin.

" Brien," he began in an altered voice, then stopped,
and drew a deep breath, " Brien, let these men go from
the house — I will settle the point witlj you alone, when
I have consulted my son."

" No ! no ! no ! That wont do for us !" returned the
captain. " Now or never ! If you will tell down on
this table ten Louis-d'ors of sound gold to every jolly
buccaneer here, myself excepted, who of course shall

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

487

expect double allowance, we will all clear off in a brace
of minutes. Throw open that right-hand window, An-
tony !" to a sailor who was standing by it, and who forth-
with removed the shutters ; " up with the sash too ! Now,
Marquis, bring out your cash, and every man, as you
give him his present, shall take a short cut through that
window."

" But what security shall I have that you will not
again impose on me in this way ?"

" You shall have every sailor's oath on a Testament,"
was the reply, " not to come a-nigh here on a business
like this again for three years at the least."

" And after three years ?"

" Some of us may be gibbeted, or lying at the bot-
tom of one of the lakes ; but howsoever, after that you'll
most likely be called upon for another little bounty if
we should be hard up for money."

" Thank you — I thought as much."

** But for three years out and out, after next mid-
summer, you shall not be troubled."

" V. U, gentlemen, I think, as you are numerous,
and I am to expect another demand from you at the
end of three years, I think, I say, that ten dollars each
instead often Louis-d^ors, ought to satisfy you. At all
hazards I will give no more."

** Say twenty dollars," said Brien ; " we want to be
reasonable."

" Aye, twenty ! twenty !" echoed the rest.

" Once for all — I will give no more than ten," said
the Pirate.

Brien went down the room talking with some of the
principals of the pirty, while the Pirate stood waiting

488

THE CANADIAN GIRl.

their answer. The future annoyance, and trouble,' and
danger, to which he and Clinton would, after this con«
cession of his, be doubly exposed, rose vividly before
him. He half repented that he had not stood firm in
his denial, and braved the worst they could do. After
this successful attempt to force money from him, doubt-
less their extortions would grow bolder. Both he and
his son would be constantly subject to their importuni-
ties and their threats. He had no faith in their oaths,
he did not believe that even for three years they would
allow him a respite. Again he breathed heavily, and
clenched his large hand on the table, while his eye
roamed from one coarse set of features to another.

" As we want to be friends with you. Marquis," said
the present Pirate-leader, returning up the apartment,
** and as we have made a little too free with your house
and the good things in it, we will be content with fifteen
dollars apiece — that wont hurt you."

" I have said ten** said the Pirate, steadily, " I will
give no more !"

Again there was a conference among the principal
privateers, which grew more noisy than the last. How-
ever, they presently agreed to accept ten dollars each for
the subordinates, and as much more for the others as
they could get. The Pirate then went from the room a
few minutes to furnish himself with the money. While
he was absent, the body of the mariner was brought in,
a ghastly spectacle, and Gilpin and the Pole gave to
the excited party contradictory statements of the manner
of his death. The leader interfered to stop the Babel-
like con^*^*>i(^n which was momently swelling higher and
higher

THE CANADIAN OIUL.

489

" All this we can settle on board,'* said he ; *' let*s
get the Marquis' money now while he is in the mind.'*

" Yes, yes, to be sure ! — the money ! the money !"
exclaimed most of the men.

The corpse was then put through the window upon
the grass, which was almost on a level with the salon.

The Pirate returned.

" Brien," said he, " I hope you will remember what
you have said."

" You shall see, Marquis," he cried. " N^ow, my
jolly buccaneers ! stand in a row like children saying
their catechism, and as you get the silver in your hand
vanish throush the window."

" Aye to be sure !" cried the drunk and the sober,
all, except the gluttonous sleeper on the carpet, who
blept as soundly as Abou Hassan of the " Arabian
Nights," and was almost as much astonished at awakingr
as that caliph of a day, 'o find ten dollars courting his
needy grasp.

*' Get up !" cried the stout dwarf, giving him a kick.
He sat up, and saw the magnificent apartment nearly
emptied of its robber-visitants. The powerful light of
the chandeliers, intense as it was, appeared but dull in
comparison with the rich rays which the sun cast through
the now unobscured windows. He rose to his feet with
lumpish heaviness, yawning, and only kindled into any
thing like animation by the sight of the ten dollars which
his leader was holding out to him.

" You are to swear that you will not come here again
asking for money from the Marquis for three years after
uoxt midsummer," said the latter.

*' I swear it," said the fellow, pouncing upon tne

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490

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

r.4

money, for which he would have taken any oath, for
any kind of purpose, without the smallest imaginable
scruple.

*' Scud away then after the other buccaneers," said
Brien. " Through the window with you, Nick !"

After him the dwarf was dispatched ; only the leader
and six others, including Gilpin, were then left with
the Pirate.

" Marquis, these six must have ten Louis-d'ors each
instead of ten dollars," said Brien. " What you nav*'
given to the others has been a mere trifle to what wo
might have forced from you, that you'll own ?"

** And if each of these have ten Louis-d'ors, how
many pray do you expect ?"

" Only twenty, Marquis, only twenty."

" Very reasonable!" cried the Pirate, ironically ; but
he drew out his purse, in which gold pieces were con-
tained, and emptied it on the table. " There, help
yourselves to the sums you say, and leave my house.
Remember if you break vour word, and trouble me
within the time that has bee> named, I will not advance
you one dollar, though it be e\('n to save my son's life
and fame! — remember that — I mean what I say. And
after that time I shall be equally obstinate if you visit
me in the manner you have visited me now. Therefore
do not go back to your vessel with wrong ideas of your
ability to draw money from me whenever it may please
you, and in whatever way you may choose."

The Pirate shut down the sash after the last of his
unlooked-for visitors had gone, then turning, stood
moveless an instant, surveying the confusion their
reckless audacity had created.

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

491

" Had it been any other room than this, I would
not have cared so much !" he suddenly exclaimed ;
" but to think they sliould have dared to come here!
And yet, why do /talk ? 1 am justly punished ! It is
ri^ht that I should be now plundered and harassed to
the utmost by those whom I have assisted to plunder
and harass others."

And so, with this consideration, his wrath became
converted into self-accusation, and that of so bitter a
kind, when mingled with reflections upon the insecurity
of himself and his children, as to draw tears from him,
albeit he was indeed << unused to the melting mood.

i »>

t «

492

THU CANADIAN CilRL.

CHAPTER XXVII.

" In the dread niciht ! mid awful for<iat phad«^'
Call these bad spirits join in ry veiry i" — UUl flay.

" And what shall we do with ihis?^'' asked Gilpin, as
the Pirate-horde were gathered around the body of tl^e
(lead mariner, to which the speaker pointed, in front of
the salon windows.

" Leave it there as it is,'* said the laziest of the com-
pany, as perfect a Hottentot, not only in his ungovern-
able propensity for eating and sleeping, but also in the
fifoneral apathy of his feelings, as any that dwelt beyond
the Cape — the same man who lately reposed so soundly
on the carpet of the noble room in which the band had
entertained themselves.

" That shan't be, if I carry it myself," said the strong
and half-clad dwarf, looking down on the corpse with
something very like regret. " Tim and I have had man)
a friendly glass together, and I'll see him decentlj
buried, if no one else will."

The Pole was standing next to him, and stooped his
giant height to whisper —

" Can we not tako one horse from te stable, tink you,
to bear it?"

f ■

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

493

The dwarf caujjht at the suggestion, and instantlv
after the Pole was seen going with cautious movements
round the left wing of the house, while the dwarf moved
round the right.

They met where the liorses and carriages of the estab-
lishment were lodged. No one appeared within sight —
perfect quiet reigned around.

" I will stand here and watch," said the dwarf;
" you go in and choo?e the best hanimal you can see."

The Pole did so, and was coming out leading the Pi-
rate's own bay, an exquisitely-shaped creature, by the
bridle, when he stopped, and, turning his head, listened.

" What are you stopping for ?" asked the dwarf.

*' Tere ish some one here," said the Pole, softly ;
" take your cutlassh into your hand and look wid me."

They searched the stable through, but no person could
they see. The harness-room adjoined, they went in
there.

" Hah !" cried the Pole, stopping short, with malice
in his eye, " here is te laty tat master Gilpin kill Timo-
thy for! and tat I wash shtruck for! and tat I wash call
coward for ! Par Got ! she shall ride wid us to te tevil !"

Jane had found the sleigh and Arthur gone from the
front of the house, into which she feared to return on
account of the Pirates, and had sought a temporary
refuse here, where she was sitting on a chest, shivering
with trepidation.

She screamed at the sudden appearance of the Pole
and his companion, and glancing at the weapons they
held, exclaimed —

" O Lord preserve me ! O my God defend me !"

*' It ish no use/' said the Pole. " for vou to crv out

^94

THE CANADIAN OIRU

£o\i musht get upon te horse at te door and ride ivid
us. You see we can kill you in one minute if you make
a noise."

<' There is a prime lady's saddle hanging on the
wall," said the dwarf, " reach it down, Scrynecki."

When this had been put upon the horse, Jane was
ordered to mount. She offered them a valuable ring
which she wore, and which her father had presented to
her on taking possession of his estate, hoping to induce
them to leave her ; they seized the gem, but not the less
insisted upon her accompanying them.

Her tears, her supplications, her resistance, were alike
fruitless ; ishe was compelled to seat herself on the bay.
The dwarf then brought out another horse little inferior
to the first, on which he placed himself; his companion
immediately got up behind Jane, and, whipping
both steeds into a gallop, they crossed at full speed
the open grass land which surrounded the mansion, and
the groves immediately beyond, and struck into the road
which led to the nearest forest

There they made a stop. The Pole dismounting, stood
as Jane's guard, while the dwarf rode back to the man-
sion by another way from that by which he had left it.

The whole party of Pirates were soon seen approach-
ing at a run, the dwarf still on horseback, being in the
midst of them, carrying thr mariner's body before him
bent across the saddle.

The sight of this crowd of desperadoes, and the thought
of what horrors she might be called upon to endure while
she was in their power, inspired Jane with intolerable
dread, insomuch that she fainted and fell to the ground.
Fortunately a soft bank of turf, covered with snow, re-

i .

THB CANADIAN GIRT..

495

ceived her, and she sustained "no injury. The Pirates
were not all equally pleased with the exploit ol the
Pole and the dwarf. Their leader and Gilpin, together
with the others who had received the Louis-d'ors from
the lord of Rougemont, thought it unwise to provoke
him by such an act as the carrying off' of his daughter;
but the rest of the crew, who had only had dollars from
him, rejoiced in the opportunity thus afforded of wringing
from him sums more worth the having than those he
had given them. The last mentioned were the majority,
and they decided the question. The insensible girl was
lifted again upon the horse, and upheld by Brien, the
leader, who had mounted in the place of the dwarf to
support her.

The narrow and unequal road along which the band
continued their running pace, was extremely solitary ;
for three miles they met no person, and saw in the thin
snow which veiled the icy ground no human track, ex-
cepting only such as they knew had been made by them-
selves when they came to Rougemont in the morning
of that day. As they entered the forest the way grew
more dreary and even savage in its character; it be-
came steeper and rougher; whole trees not unfrequen.ly
lay across its contracted breadth. The extreme height
of the gloomy hills on each side, with their hosts of
black pines, shut out the daylight. Deep and awful
was the silence that prevailed, and it could scarcely be
said to be disturbed by the occasional cry of some
melancholy-voiced and lonely bird, who, hardier than
most of its summer companions, had remained braving
the penetrating cold of the winter season in these
primeval shades. This was a spot in which a deed of

I J

406

THB CANADIAN 01 RL.

crime might have remained hidden until the day of
doom. It seemed as if heaven itself could hardly glance
upon what might be done here. Even the Pirates felt
a chill on their hearts as they proceeded more slowly
in consequence of the hilly character of the ground; and
many of them took their cutlasses in their hands, at
the same time pressing nearer to each other, and sending
many an uneasy glance into the overhanging thickets.

In such a place Jane revived — revived to feel herself
in a situation of unparalleled horror. In attempting to
raise herself from her reclining position on the horse,
she found that the arms of Brien were wound around
her. In vain she struggled desperately to free herself
from their abhorred circle, he held her with too firm a
grasp. One thrilk jg, shriek then succeeded to another
from her heaving breast, until Brien, with a curse,
pressed his hand on her mouth, and swore to kill her
if she was not quiet.

Here a man suddenly darted from a turning in front
of the party and faced the horseman and his stolen
charge. He was in attire which belonged to no country
in particular, and his features were those of a gipsy ;
he carried in his hand a gun, which he lifted in a mena-
cing manner, while another individual of corresponding
appearance followed him — and then another.

The three placed tiiemselves side by side in the middle
of the road, and opposed the advance of the Pirates,
while they uttered some exclamations in an unintelligible
language, the purport of which was easily imderstood
as expressing a determination to know the meaning of
the screams they had heard. Jane stretched out her
arms toward them, and franticly implored their assis-

TITB CAVADTAN GIRL.

407

try

of
ler
lis-

tance. They comprehended the movement, though not
her words; the language of nature spoke clearly enough
to them too in her piercing accents, and in her distracted
and beseeching countenance.

One of them immediately gave a shrill whistle, and
at least half a dozen powerful men, all in the same
style of garb, and all of exceedingly dark and impressive
countenances, issued from the same turning as the
others.

The Pirates began to display their weapons, and
Brien, singling out one of the nearest of the gipsies,
discharged a pistol at him, which missed, owing to the
sudden rearing of the horse. Another whistle brought
to the assistance of the gipsies an additional number of
their companions, and one and all immediately fired on
the crew of the privateers with murderous effect. The
Pirates returned the deadly salute with their pistols, and
then rushed upon their assailants, who met them with
ferocity and strength equal to their own. The wild
shouts of the two mingling bands of lawless wanderers
sounded strangely in that still place. The grey fox,
startled by the unusual din from his leafy hiding jjlace.
Hew with the speed of the wind under the shelter of the
trees down the forest pass to some covert more remote
from man. The little animal which had never yet at-
tained to a name in the annals of zoology, and which
had been quietly sleeping between the ever-green
branches of a pine, comfortably sheltered from the keen
air by broad leaves, and by its fine coat of glossy fur,
now, frightened by the smoke which wreathed about its
bed, pricked up its ears, listened tremblingly to the re-
ports of the fire-arms, and with terror in its beautiful

3 s

•I f

fl ^

498

THE CANADIAN GIRL.^

eyes ran up to the topmost branch above its head, there
listened again, then leaped to the next tree, flew down
the stem, and darted away, like the fox, to seek another
place of rest, where the disturber, and the destroyer—
maii — could never come.

Brien had thrown himself from the horse, and was
fighting in front of his men.

Jane cluno^ to her saddle until the animal received a
shot in its breast, which brought it on its knees ; she
then cowered down on the ground behind it, expecting
death every moment from the bullets that whizzed about
her head. In this dire extremity she endeavoured to
put up a prayer to God to receive her soul ; but her
mind was all confusion and horror, and the words de-
parted from her before they had been articulated.

Now she learned how dear to her Mr. Lee was. The
thought of what the agony of her father and brother
would be when they should discover her death, wrung
her heart indeed, but infinitely keener were her pangs
when the distress of Arthur rose before her. Passionjite
tears burst from her eyes, and she was conscious of an
utter want of resignation to that dread event which
seemed inevitable.

The voices of females now rose strangely above the
tumult, and in a second after the fight ceased. The
wind caught up the smoke, and Jane, who was eager to
catch at the faintest probability of prolonging her life,
gazed with wild hope on a number of gipsy women,
who had daringly thrown themselves between the fero-
\.\ ous combatants.

" What is all this about ?" cried a majestic creature
who ssemed to possess an authority over the rest, and

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

•199

whose voice, though hardly feminine enough to please
a fastidious critic in such matters, yet wanted not, even
in its fullest toues, a certain richness and melody as
delightful as it was uncorrmon. A warm and showy
shawl with red and yellow stripes was tied over her head,
and her cloak, which was of an eastern material and
shape, was worn in such a manner as to enhance the
stateliness of her remarkable mien. She had seized the
arm of the king of the gipsies, a little, slender man,
about sixty years of age, whose wife she was, as it was
in the act of raising a dagger in order to strike the
weapon into the breast of a prostrate Pirate ; and while
he glared on her with bloodthirsty looks, like a wolf
hindered from its prey, she returned his glance with one
equally fierce and determined.

" Stop your slaughtering hand !*' she sternly ex-
claimed in English.

" Nina," said her husband, " if you interfere I will
stab you !'*

" Frighten jour children — you cannot me !" she re-
turned, with a mixture of boldness and contempt, still
tightly holding his wrist.

" Curses on you !" cried the mendicant monarch,
trying in vain to throw her from him, while he knelt on
the privateer's body.

" I am as strong as yourself," calmly retorted his
consort, maintaining her powerful grasp. " Let fall the
dao^jTer !"

" There then I' cried the king, dropping the weapon i
instantly she let go his arm and bent to pick it up, but
lier husband was too quick for her; he seized it again,
and in the madness of the moment plunged it into her

500

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

own side. The blood sprang forth across the face of
the Pole, for it was hs whom the p:ij)sy monarch had
overthrown, and that with no great difficulty either.

The vagrant ^-Mee/j, with instant self-possession, tightly
compresseu the place where she had been stabbed with
her right hand, while she uplifted her left arm in an
impressive attitude, and uttered a loud and stirring
stringf of exclamations in the same unintelli";ible Ian-
guage which had been used by the male gipsits who
had first appeared. The whole band over which she
and her husband had presided, immediately answereti
by a shout, accompanied with gestures expressive of
vengeance agrainst her murderer. He rose from his
kneeling position on the Pole, and answered with
gloomy looks of firmness their threatening movements.
Nina let her head drop upon her breast ; the blood was
trickling through her fingers, and flowing down her
clothes to the ground.

The Pirates stood as spectators. Again she raised
her face, which was ghastly pale — her eyes were lighted
up with a brief, but dazzling and vindictive fire — she
threw up both her arms, and again made the highest
rocks re-echo to her exclamations. Tiiere were many
responses made by individuals of her band in the same
tone-; and then she suddenly turned and ciiLfppeared
at that opening from which all the gipsies had issued.
She was gone no more tliau a few seconds, and when
she rush9d back, a boy of three years old was in her
arms. She sank down with it on the ground, and laying
it before the crew, repeated, first in the language they
all understood, and then in English —

" He shall be your king! — ho shall bo your king !"

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

The reply was general — " He shall, wlisn he is old
enough— or may we rot away body and soul, and leave
no children behind us !"

She seemed satisfied, and kissed, with all her departing
strength, the eyes, the lips, the forehead, and the neck
of her child ; then falling back, stretched herself out,
and rendered up her soul !

Jane beheld all this without moving ; but now the
gipsies, crowding about Nina, prevented her from seeing
what next took place, and she arose, and appealed pa-
thetically to the PirateSj begging that they would take
her back to the mansion. Tliey answered that she mus
go with them to the ship, and thr.l the Marquis mus
give money for her liberty. She begged them to sa)'
how much they would accept for her, and promised, if
the amount was at ail within her ability, to obtain it for
them as soon as ever they should have restored her to
her home.

The answer was — " We will consider of what you
say — in the meantime you must go forward with us."

This was too indefinite to make her easier in mind, and
wringing her hands in the extremity of her distress,
slie poured out the most moving entreaties. All heard
her with indiiforence, with the exception of Gilpin,
who lifted his single and unsupported voice on hei
behalf.

" I say no !" was the reply of Brien, the leader. " It
was a foolish trick the bringing her off — but by this
time the Marquis and all tlio house know of it, and as
the mischief is done, wo will not throw away the profits
there are to be had from it — we will have the monev
before we give lur up."

lit

• I

002

THE CANADrAN OinL.

" Mashter Gilpin," said the Pole, who had arisen from
his dangerous recumbency at the feet of the gipsy king,
" let me say you tat you tinks one vashtdeal too mosh
of te laty ! — you hath name me coward for her ! — you
hath kill Timoty for her ! Par Dieu, mashter Gilpin !
you be in love wid her! and by and bye you shall do
nobody knows how mosh to serve her! ParGo^ mashter
Gilpin ! we be not safe in your company, ...ul I do
very mosh soshpect you to be one traitor to us I"

Gilpin reddened a little as he laughed siieeringly,
and retorted —

" Is it Scrvnecki calls me traitor to the crew ? Ha !
ha! Scrynecki! valiant Scrynecki ! The gipsy threw
you down with a pat of his hand as he miglit the little-
boy which is now by his knees. Well may Scrynecki
fear he is not safe where I am. I have only to give him
a fillip with my finger, thus — and he would drop as if
he had swallowed a few ounces of hot lead. You can't
put me in a passion, Mister Polandcr, so I tell you. I
wont quarrel v.ith a man wlio can't fight."

" Saire ! sair:> !" cried tlie choking Pole, " thish ish
te hondredth time tat you have inshult me! I will ask
te men about us '\i you shall do tisli any more ! It ish
too bad, sailors, and I shall not stay wid you, par Got !
if you do parmit it, I will go thish instante if you (Id
let me be inshult like thish !"

Now all the crew liked nothing better than that tho
Pole should be punished for his cowardice, and instead
of taking his part they joined Gilpin in taunting and
laushing at him.

The Pole " look?d daggers, but mod none ;" and
thcve he stood, otung to frenzy by the ridicule which

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

503

assailed him, yet wanting even the courage to turn about
and quit their society.

" I hath brought te laty here," he articulated, " and
I shall not go until I hath money for her — elshe I would
not shtop wid you one minute after te preshent time !"
and he sneaked into the rear without saying more.

Jane hoped in vain however that Gilpin's interference
might effect what she wished. At the same instant that
?he noticed, with a new thrill of dismay, the increasing
gloom of the wild pass, betokening the approach of night,
she noticed also that Brier, was shaking hands with one
of the gipsies, whom he had met before under circum-
stances that, to judge by their mutual looks, must have
been highly pleasing. This recognition, too soon for
her, led to a better understanding between the out-
lawed parties. The gipsy was one of the few in his
band who spoke English tolerably, and having received
from Brien a lively explanation of the intentions of the
Pirates with respect to their captive- he laughed merrily,
and communicated the same to his friends in their com-
mon language with mirthful gestures. Weapons were im-
mediately thrown down, and the Pirates were invited to
rest through the night in the gipsies' encampment.
Jane's anxious eye then sought Gilpin again, but he
had apparently forgot her; he was talking with Brien,
and Brien's former acquaintance, in a light and jovial
strain.

" What will become of me 1" she ejaculated, as the
road darkened still more.

The gipsy women, turning from the corpse of their
queen, fastened thoir bold black eyes on her with scruti-
nising curiosity, especially regarding the expeusive furs

504

THE C\NADIAN GIRL."

and silks which composed her dress. She shrank from
them, nor felt the least relieved by their presence ; for
although they were of her own sex, there was little that
was feminine to be seen in the expression of their faces.
Many of them were handsome, some were young, but
on no countenance among them shone one ray of the
female heart.

A deeper shade of darkness descended upon the road.
Jane observed it, and looked about her with a terror
that was not the less deep because outwardly she was
more calm. The crags, which seemed to have been
piled up to prop the clouds by some giant hand, appeared
more awful to her now than they had done before, by
reason of the blacker hues in which they were steeped ;
the little patch of sky that she could discern was already
beginning to show the faint semblance of a star. ' Never
before had a star been unwelcome io her eye — but now
she would rather have seen a spectre than that little,
faint, twinkling speck in the blue ether!

Brien's acquaintance led the way to the encampment,
turning off from the road along a downward path, such
as Jane could have easily imagined conducted to nothing
else but a lair of wild beasts ; the leader of the Pirates
and Qilpin followed next to him ; then came the gipsy
king, with his hands tied behind his back, moving in
sullen silence between his subjects, who carried naked
daggers and knives, prepared to execute summary ven-
geance upon him for Nina's death if he should attempt
to escape ; to these succeeded the women, one bearing
the child who was to be their future sovereign, and two
others carrying between them its murdered mother;
after these Jane was compelled to walk in front of the

THE CAXAOIAN GIRL.

whole gang of the Pirates, one of her captors being im-
mediately before her, and the othei immediately behind
her, and the rear was brought up by the wounded and
the dead.

They were obliged to move singly, and almost at
every step the tangled bra^tches had to be divided with
the hand to allow them to proceed. The awful obscurity
of the road they had kfl would have been pleasant to
Jane in comparison with the entire darkness here. But
from this woody labyrinth they soon emerged upon a
rocky slope, relieved by evergreen herbage and coarse,
long grass, on which a number of strong horses, a yoke
of oxen, and a cow, werf^ quietly feeding; there stood
a couple of empty wagons also, the covers taken off,
and the front poles lowered to the ground ; a lad of six-
teen, graceful and handsome, stood leaning in an indo-
lent position against one of the wagon wheels, while a
girl of his own age to whom he was chatting, sat on a
stool by him, passing her fingers in the manner of a
comb through her long and thick tresses, with a calm
smile of complacent vanity. All around were sheltering
heights, loaded with pines and firs of immense size and
most ancient growth ; on one side the rocks opened under
their towering burden and a lofty cavern presented itself,
in the centru of which the gipsies had lighted a great
fire. The strong red light threw a glowing reflection
upon the rugged walls, and sending out its rays over
the slope imparted a highly picturesque, and if Jane
could have felt herself safe, a highly cheerful aspect to
the whole picture ; scarcely an ounce weight of snow had
been able to lodge here ; the eastern wind, which had
btH'u so cuttinj; on the open country, could only in this

3 r

506

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

I \

i ill

sheltered spot make itr presence known by its monoton*
ous trailing in the tre<. ^ ; the moss lay as green and as
fresh in the crevices ot the rocks, and about the fibrous
ruots wh ich grew out of the^n, as though it were summer ;
a white vapour, imbued vvitl the scent of burning woo('.,
and communicating: to the Ccnse that distino;ui$htid it n
sensation of warmth and comfort, after rising from tlie (iru
and ascending to the vaulied cavern roof, wound its
stealthy way tiionce to the open atmosphere in wliicli it
(lifTused itself, and in the pale and tender twilight dib-
solved from view.

As Jane was conducted more near to the c&vern, an
exceedingly savoury small issued therefrom, and she
perceived three enormous soup'ketties hanging over the
Qre, suspended from crossed stakes, in the legitimate
jfipsy fashion ; nor we;re these all the preparations which
met her eye for a large and excellent supper ; most sub-
stantial looking cakes, and even huge pies, were baking
on stone slabs, slanted by means of wooden props, before
the red embers which made the foundation for those
blazing crackling boughs that kept the savoury compound
in the kettles at a more rapid boil than was quite con-
sistent with good cookery. ^< .li^in/v *-.«.,„ * . «r

It was no easy matter for the hospitable gipsies to
accommodate the large party of the Freebooters of the
lakes in addition to their own numbers, but by some
means it was managed, Three deal tables and twenty
or thirty seats, consisting of stools, wooden chairs, ami
blocks of wood, were set apart for the principals of both
bands, part of the women and all the children (of whjph
latter there »e«"c aiany) ivaiting upon them at supper.

During the first bustle of thearrang;^ments Jane stood

Till! CANADIAN OIRI.,

50t

hrilieeded by the fire. The dead Nina's little boy sat
hy her, (ccasionally uttering i plaintive cry for liis
' mammy," then becoming hushed as his eye turiied
O.I the orood thinnfs that were dressing before him, but
c'virtg again as each began to disappear in order to be
served up on the table, and again becoming quiet as he
^eard the rattle of knives and trenchers.

Jane could not resist stooping to pat its rough curly
lioad, and to speak a kind word to it, after one of these

fits of grief. *^"'' "'"'"^ — »ivflJ.'*Ai.'- ^aiiw «rnf*' uxi

" Why do you cry, my pretty dear ?" she asked, in
the gentlest tones of her aWays gentle voice. "•]."'
■..I. _r.il le-it t<.»nes of her always gentliJ voicie. "'■ *'' *

It said so iiethiiig in the harsh language used by the
uipsWs in general, then turning up its almost mulatto
f iCo, punted in English—** Mamhiy sleep, maam— ^
hiiinmy not get up, maain — mau my no supper, and
iJ'illy no Slipped, maam !**

" Yes, you will have supper pfesi;r»tly, poor child,'*
Saiil Jane, trying to comfort it, " and your mammy will
Wa!we sooh I dai-e say."

" No — no !" cried the child, shaking its head, while
two big tears dropped from its large jet eyes, " Siddy
nnd Barny will put her down a hole they say, and then
she can't get up you know, maam;" and he went on
talking piteously in mingled English and a barbarous
Egyptian dialect, (for that in fact was the tongue used
in general by the people of whom he was a roya/ scion),
while he every minute cried more lustily. "

Gilpin now approached Jane, and respectfully invited
her to the head of that table at which sat the most dis-
tinguished of the banditti and the gipsien, but she roldly
iloclincd.

1 1

.608

THE C/.NAUfAN Gin!.

" I am sure, Miss Aaderson," said he, " that you
must need something. The supper is not so good,
tnaybe, as you have been used to latterly, and the plates
and dishes, and so forth, ate mostly of wood ; but every
thing is very clean, and there are some dainty game
pies smoking on the board. I give you my word, Miss
Anderson, that no one at table shall say any thing to
affront you." ,..,.» „,.:_ *, . ^, . ,.., , ,„,„ ... ;
^ " Thank you, Grilpin, but I had rather not."

** Do Qome, Miss Anderson — upon my life you shall
Hot repent it.'*

*' Gilpin, you have professed some respect for my
father," said Jane, suddenly turning to him with an
earnest and appealing look, " befriend me !"

He was taken by surprise, he reddened a little, glanced
about, and then said hastily in detached sentences and
a lowered voice—

*' I will — early to-morrow morningT— but say no more
— make yourself easy." -r ,. ,

Jane's heart leaped to her throat; she hardly could
believe that she had heard him aright, but again he re-
peated more emphatically, *' early to-morrow morning V^
and she yielded herself up to the joyful prospect of de-
liverance. ^,,,, ,f,. r _ ^. .-^ .^ . j,,^, f^;.,. ,,;;.i;«^ .,,.

" Do let me persuade you !" said he, speaking louder,
and pointing to the table at which he wished her to sit^
She repeated her denial, and he returned to his com-
panions, who were engaged in discussing the character
of the road they were to travel on the ensuing day. The
Pule alone had observed him speaking with Jane ; and
although in consequence of the noise he could hear
iiulhing Ihoy said to each other, '*ie suspected what was

I !

TU& CANADIAN GIRI.

509

pretiy nearly the truth of the result of their conference)
and assailed Gilpin with —

**■ Let me say you, saire, tat I soshpect you hath be
tellino; te laty you shall help her to eshcape back to te
Marquish. Par Dieu, saire! I did bring tat laty from
her housh, and she shall not go back, par Got, saire !
Until I hath money for her !" •*«< ^ ., ■^,.,. (

" I asked her to come to supper with us, Mr. Sory-
tiecki," said Gilpin, speaking with mock humility^
« as those who were nearest to us could tell you, I
dare say. I did not tell her that I would help her to
eshcape — so don't e«t me thou mighty hero V^

His manner was so ludicrous that the crew burst into
a loud laugh at the Pole's expense, and thus, as it often
happens in argumenti of more serious moment, jesting
instead of reason carried the point ; and because Scry-
tiecki was a coward, his suspicious of Gilpin, however
just they might be, were only treated, like his natural
timidity, with undiscriminating ridicule.

Within the spacious cavern, and only at a safe distance
from the fire, i^rhich three stout urchins were constantly
feeding with fresh fuel, two low sleeping tents had been
I'aised, hung round with thick red blankets, and carpeted
inside with matting ; the woolly curtains had been par-
tially looped up toward the generous blate, and there
were seen lying within those men who had been wounded
in the late brief but destructive contest, and those who
had lost their lives in it, while the women tiot employed
about the supper were attending to the former, and
layirgoutthe latter^ with an indifference revolting to
humanity. Jane sedulously kept her eye iti another
direction, but she could not avoid hearing the painful

■K i

510

Tin CANADIAN OIRL

groans of the sufferers and the loud talking of the tro«
men, mingling strangely with the heedless and unfeeling
laughter of their partisans round the tables.

To exclude the cold mo 'e completely, blankets were
hung up at the cavern mou h, by those men belonging
to the camp who as yet were not engaged in eating J
Jane was looking with a slight tincture of curiosity td
see the mode of the operation, when she caught the fixed
gaze of an old crone, who carried in her arms the mur-
dered Nina^s second child, a boy younger than its bro-
ther only by a year. Her attention was instantly rivetedj
and presently she perceived the old woman's fleshiest
forefinger crossing her lips, and then significantlypointing
toward one tent, of which only a comer of the curtain
was raised, and tc which she herself soon after moved,
evidently intending that Jarte should follow her. The
latter stood irresolute. Something in the crbne's boun-
tenance had denoted good intentions, and she felt in<-
dined to go forward, but a nameless dread deterred
her.

A second and more decided sign for her to approach
the tent Jane did not dare to disobey, but with hesi-
tating footsteps she gradually drew near to it, while the
Wrinkled face and flat bony finger of the old woman^
were protruded from Under the hanging. i v'^oct \ >»-'..■

** Dount be afeard, but come yer ways in, if ye be ■
wise," was the impatient and loud whisper that pro-^
ceeded firom the bloodless and sunken lips, while the
finger made a more imperative motion. " Come yer
ways in, I say ! I have something to tell you that con- .
ceerns yer tifeP*

Jane had again hesitated, but this startled her into

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

511

troti

oomplianoe; she stooped under the curtain, and the
next moment saw her within the tent, which was imnie«
diately closed behind her. The blood of the fearful
girl ran cold as she beheld three ghastly corpses before
her, one of which was that of Nina, and another that of
the mariner. Two women were employed in dressing
the body of their dead queen in the best finery the whole
cam: could furnish, while a third was stooping to hold
a candle for them. Jane caught a look of the half-open,
film-covered eyes— r-the clenched teeth — the stony sub-
stance of the-^ cheeks, bearing that peculiar pallor which
has no prototype in the world of the living — and shu
stepped back close to the tent side, faltering to the
aged nurse of the motherless child —

" Why did you wish me to come here ? I cannot
endure such sights as these \**

" It*s what we all must come to, howsoever," said
the old woman. " Aye, the bonniest and the best will
just look as unsightly in a few years. Nina, there, has
been proud enough in her lifetime — it does me good to
see what all her pride has turned to at last. The worms
will feed on her just as if it was an old ugly body like
one's self. Comely or uncomely — leejrned or unleerntd
T-rich or poor— rail cogie to the same place at last. Dust
and ashes — dust and ashes — that's the end of us all!"
t " But what have you to say to me ?" r^ u; tiiCi **

>^ Something that I win't say you will call the best
news on eerth — I had it from a little big man who was
shot hadly in the scrimmage — he is in the next tent.'*

'> The dwarf—" . , ;

" Aye, dwarf — I dare say he is for aught I know to
*he contreery — dwarf, or cut-throat, or what ye like, he

512

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

1 kM

111'!

from."

is no more than this high," holding her hand at about
three feet above the floor.

" He was one of the two who took roe away from
mv homel" ■ ■'■'■'''" *■ ■■'■ ■ '■•^''^'■■^^'^di-^'' ?<■'•. utr'i i'.\'i

Aye, to bo sure he was — that's the man I heerd it

; ivj.-..' ,, t* ^Vs"?. fivr-fi-'." '.Ill v'»:n.i.nJ '■ ■

" Heard what ?" asked Jane, with a varying com-
plexion. "''■ "! ' «"V IWsl H jllii'.*' , '!.•'.!<*•<«>< L KhiO A^'ti'

The old woman put the child down, and while it
crawled straight to its mother's cold body, she brought
her mouth near to Jane's ear and whispered —

** One of them now at supper means to kill you thi^
blessed night."

** Oh, surely not!" exclaimed the petrified girl, catch-
ing hold of one of the stakes of the tent to support
herself.

** It's true,*' repeated the old woman, nodding her
head to give force to hi?r words.

« Which of the Pk.ctesT— tell me which r

" The tallest one—a Pole, I think he he."

'* What motive can he have?" faintly ejaculated

Jane. -v'' '';■*" i-y, ^frrt' .i i< , n I' ■' ^ 'j' .:'-iji'H It* •

*' He has been struck, and called a coward, by one
of his comrades for you — and did you ne'er hear that
revenge is sweet?" "^ '•••' f «'» « •'•< •' - > ut^ i i

** But if — if he kills me," observed Jane, taking her
breath in short gasps, " he will get no money from my
father, and that I understood was what he wanted."

** Howsoe'er that be, he has fixed his mind on what I
sa}'. The short, man in tlie next tent was to have helped
him, but sin* they agreed he has altered his intention,
and trusted to mo to lot you know about it.'

»>

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

)y one
it that

Iff her

I ^

^in my
>»

•

Iwhat I
lelpcii
fntion,

*• If I am preserved through the night I will ro
you for this !" exclaimed Jane, with lively gratitude.

" I want no rewards, not I," said the old dame
" you see I never conceited them kind of doings. I'm
much obleeged to you, howsoe'er. But I can do a fellow
creetur a good turn, I hope, without being greedy after
rewards. Not but I'm a poor old body," she whined,
pretending to sliivor, *' and cold about the shoulders
sometimes in hard weather like this — one of them nice
'varm furs you have on, if your charity could spare it
for my necessity, would do me a vast of service."

Immediately Jane's delicately-shadowed and ccstly
marten fur j^elisse was transferred from her own neatly-
rounded figure ';0 the withered and bent form of the
hypocritical crone, who eyed it and stroked it with re-
l)ulsive rapture.

Jane left the tent like one bewildered by a hideous
dream from which she strove in vain to awaken. Her
eyes wore filled with a vacant horror, and her face was
devoid of every vestige of colour. She sat down on a
stool by the fiio, and remained almost in a state of siu-
pelaution until iIk? snupcr was over, when siie heard it
said that the de^d were about to be buried, as '.he gip-
sies were going .""'""vard with the jtrivati^crs on the
morrow.

A litter of branches was Uirnii' 1, iiud tlie body of Nina
laid thereon ; it was then Isnitiiiht from the tciif to the
slope outside the cavern, uhitlierlhe va^frant king, having
his hands and arms still firmly bound behind his bu( k,
tvas led between two of his men. He was made to Jstand
beside the corpse, on nhich he looked with apparent
unconcern. A largo circle was formed around the nuu-

3 u

i)i.-

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

1 1

dercd and tlio doomed, the inner line composed of g;p»
sies standing in regular order, with weapons of different
descriptions in their hands. Their king raised his eye
composedly from the litter and surveyed them, examinmpj
every dark and stern countenance with an air of inves-
tigation. He was perfectly sensible of what was intended,
yet he seemed not to quail . i the least.

One stepped forward a pace or two from the rest, and
in a harangue, plentifully garnished with cant terms,
which occupied about ten minutes, set forth to him the
nature of the gips; laws, of which he had been chief
administrator, and concluded by telling him that, as in
their community there was equal justice done to the
prince and the subject, and what was esteemed crime
in one was esteemed crime in the other, he must lie
down in the grave at the same time with his wife whom
he had stabbed. Whavever mode of death he preferred
should be granted to iiim, and this was the sole favour
they could render to his dignity. He replied that he
would Climb a precipitous rock to which he pointed,
and throw himself down. That rock had a smooth
perpendicular face of a hundred feet from the bottom
to the top; on it rested a broken pile of crags with
trees growing (o their summits. The party cons.-nted,
and placed tliemselves in two lines to guard him to the
fatal spot.

He seemed now to lose his sullen hardihood, and
gazed on the remains of his wife with a softer glance ; a
groan presently burst forth from his lips ; the sound re-
called him to himself; he drew himself up, then suddenly
took oflT his cup, and kneeled under the starry heaven
with his eyoj turned upwards until they were almost

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

515

and

lost in their sockets. His lips moved not, bat stili he
appeared in deep prayer.

However depraved or ignorant the being, the sense
of a Goo will, except in very rare cases, find an entrance
into his mind at those awful hours when the prospect of
dissolution opens before him. The gipsy king had never
before bent to his Creator, had never before sought par-
don and peace from Him ; that he possessed a soul
which must exist through ages feeble Time could not
measure, had never been the subject of his contempla-
tion. Yet now, when he looked on her who had been
his bosom companion and the mother of his children —
on her, who a few short hours ago had been one of the
living, redolent with the prime of womanhood, of beauty,
and of power, he felt a new comprehension of immortality
unfolded within him ; and when he looked upwards, and
saw I'ioso silent preachers, the golden stars, and imbibed
the deep and solemn calm amid which they shone,
the things which he had heard of a Deity, and of a
heavenly existence in his youth, returned to his memory
in a flood, and he fell on his knees !

The lawless men around were smit with surprise, but
they preserved a decent gravity and silence until his
agonising but wordless prayer had been briefly con-
cluded.

" Let mo see my children before I die !" said he, stil!
on hi.i knees.

They were brought to him — he had never been a kind
father, and the eldest boy struggled to break from his
embrace with evident fear and dislike.

" Stay a moment with me, my Billy !'' he cried, a tear
dropping from his hard eye, " stay a moment with your

II (

i^i

516

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

daddy — you will never see me again — 1 am ^uiOg a»vay
from you and Joey, and I shall never come back

again

»>

The child looked 'nhis face with delight — " And wont
you never come back to flog me and Joey again, and
call us bad n^raes ?" he asked, in tonei. of glad antici-
pation.

The wretched parent put both the children from him
and covered his face with his hands — this was too mucli
for him ! It was a lesson for many that were present,
and some laid it to heart. For a considerable time af-
terwards there were fewer parental tyrants in the camp
than there had ever been before.

" I have lived as a man should not live," said ho,
rising and speaking in a husky voice. " God fuigivo
me !1 But to you I have done no wrong," addressing
the gipsies. " 1 am willing to die for Nina, but when
1 am gone, be kind to our little ones !"

" They shall be taken care of," replied the gipsies ;
" and, as we promised Nina, Billy shall be our king ;
or, if he die before he is of a proper age, we will have
Joey in his stead."

" I had rather they could grow up honest, creditable
men in the country their mother and I was born in,"
muttered the miserable father. " But 1 siip))Oso that i,^
out of all likelihood," he added. " Now, 1 am ready !"

He measured with his eye the gaunt face of the rock
which was to be the means of his death, and on each
side of the foot of which the torches of some of the men
were blazing, as they lifted them above their heads,
searching for a place where he might effect an ascent.

" If, when I have fivUon I should not be dead," he

N ii

lL^

llth CANADIAN OlRl,

517

said, m an unnatural gutteral voice to those m xt him,
" hang me directly! Do not let me linger in torment.
Now your hands — yours, Andreas — yours, Zingare —
fare-ye- well ! — (lire-ye-weli I" he raised his cap in the
air, and repeated his last words, which were echoed by
many, then, waving his hand, walked firmly toward the
rock, and reached the top by a circuitous and perilous
way, still guarded by two powerlal gii)sies bearing car-
bines, who had been appointed to watch him to the last
moment.

Unfortunately it happened in this case as in many
otliers, that convictions of unworthiness, and aspirations
after better things, which terror had awakened, perished
with the occasion that gave rise to them. The doomed
man saw a chance of escape, and from that moment
away fled his penitence and his faith in another life, and
he was precisely the same hardened and vicious being
that he had been before. It was a desperate course that
he had to take to preserve himself. Ilis two guards were
to be disposed of, and there were a number ot crags
he must climb, exposed to the rifle shots of his party,
in doing which, one false step, one slip, would have
been destruction as inevitable as that from which he
sought to flee. He met both difficulties with prompt
daring. One of the guards he hurled back headlongr,
who fell a shapeless mass at the feet of his companions
below; the other struggled gallantly with him, but was
finally thrown over the face of the precipice, and his
harrowing cry had not ceased ere the gipsy king had
mounted, with amazing quickness, the first crag — now
he was on the second — the slimy surface of the upper
C(l' s prevented his planting one firm step there, and he

i !

I I

i.*l

1 I'

1 i

il8

TUfi CANADIAN GinL.

bad to trust the whole weight of his body to a young and
tender fir tree, around which bis arm was thrown. While
in this insecure position, more than one bullet came close
past him, and before he had managed — (it is not within
our ability to describe how, but most of the spectators
remain, doubtless, to testify that he did it) — to ascend
the crag next above and to disappear behind it, his
liair was singed in such a manner as to render his after
existence perfectly miraculous. Shouts of rage resounded
among the hills from the astonished beholders of this
unexpected feat of the condemned, and a determined
pursuit immediately commenced, which lasted through
the night, but terminated without having had a shadow
of success.

The dead were deposited in one grave in the forest
by the womer. and the boys before morning arrived.
None of the gipsies slept this night, and their two warm
tents in the cavern had been resigned to the use of the
wounded.

There was a singular unfitness between Jane Ander-
son and the wild scenes in which it had been her lot
to be cast both now and in former times. She was as
little of a hei'oine as her meek and sulfering nioth.r had
been. Some are organised for the turbulencios of life
— some for its honours — some for its sublimities — some
for its wretchedness — but Jane for its quiet. Quiet
duties, quiet pleasures, for these she was framed. She
would have lived contented as a i)oor viilag-e cottaoer,
nor ever have desired to go beyond the sound of her
own church bells. In its natural state, her soul would
have been as serene, still, and pastoral, as one of Claudo
Lorraine's lovely landscapes. But here she was at dead

THE CANADIAN GIRT..

midnight, in the midst of a North American forest —
a Marquis' daughter — surrounded witl two bands of
fierce people who lived by plunder — and exposed every
moment to the assassin's knife!

The wind had shifted to the north- vest, and had in-
creased in fury. As she cowered on h ar knee by the dull
fire which was now nearly smothered beneath a weight
of white embers, the gusts swept in at the openings be-
tween the blankets hung at the cavern entrance, and
chilled her t > the heart. Now and then she started as
the gipsies hallooed to each other without, or as some
noble tree yielded to the force of lliC blast and fell with
a mighty crash. The voice of the wind was dismal;
from a low, plaintive, monotonous singing, it had changed
to loud, swelling lamentations, snch as might have pro-
ceeded from the dwellers in penal fires. She shuddered
as she listened, and her faca grew more <ea(lly white.
There was a rustling beiiind her, she turned her head
sharply round — the wind was waving one of the tent
curtains to and fro. She knew the sound was caused by
that, biii still kept her eye on the tent for some time,
and stirred not the smallest muscle of her body.

V/hen she willulrew her gaze again back to the fire,
she endeavoured to strengthen herself by reflecting that
the night was now half over, and that Gilpin had promised
hor deliverance early in the morning. But just as she
had gained a little confidence the Pole entered the ca-
vern, and she rose up and turned on him a glance of
1 Iiiious terror. He was apparently struck by the pe-
culiarity of her look, and stopped short, asking — /

'• [jaty, be you not well '?" she made no reply, and
whistling carelessly he came on as if to warm himself at

520

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

the fire. She stepped backwards in dread, and he
stopped again.

" What doth ail you, laty ?" said he, feigning sur-
prise, and once more moving toward the fire. She re-
treated until something glistened before heron t\e floor
— it as a large dinner knife— she stooped with ihe
quickness of thought and clutched it in her hand,
breathing an involuntary cry of joy.

The Pole pretended to show greater astonishment,
but bit his lip with chagrin

" Laty, do I mean to do you any harm, do you tink?"
cried he, turning up the sole of his foot to the fire, and
kickiag the ashes from a clump of wood with the pointed
toe of his military hessian boot.

" Godknows!" answered Jane, still holding the knife
very conspicuously in her hand, and sitting down on the
edge of a sack which seemed to be filled with corn, and
on which the little heir to the gipsy regal honours was
Stretched as fast asleep as health, innocence, and igno-
ranoe could make him. " God knows! but you will
not find it easy to kill me now."

" My goot laty, who put such a ting in your head 1
Why for should I kill you ?"

" Bad roe.- act without any respect to just reasons,"
replied Jane, summoning at this juncture more intrepi-
Jity than she could well account for, " but I know that
you would make me the scapegoat to suffer for others*
offences — because Gilpin has called you a coward, you
ivould wreak your vengeance upon we, and tiuis prove
that you are a coward ! Why should you seek to destroy
.', defenceless woman becausv'? one of your companions
.las injured you 1 Go and attack him ! — /le is your

!•«

TIi:: r.NAl/IAN CilRL.

521

will

lead ?

sons,"
trepi-
w that
itlicrs*

. you

prove
estroy
luions
your

cq-.ial ill stroiiytli — I am weak and helpless; — and yet
not helpless now," — she added, raising the knife — " not
helpless now — my hand and my heart now are both ca-
pable of protecting me against your cowardly and
shameful attempts !"

" Par Got! I do wish tat I know who tell you dis lie
cf me!" exclaimed the Pole, who was alarmed with the
prospect of his design becoming known to the crew.
" Par Got ! I would pull tere falsh tongues out oftcre
heads !"

" Is it a falsehood ?" asked Jane, steadily.

" Ash bi<i a von ash wash ever made bv man or
tcvil !" exclaimed the Pole, accompanying the Avords
with three oaths, the purport of which was to consign
Wm to perpetual torments if be had ever one tliought of
injuring her.

" And you did not now enter this cavern intending
to take niy life?"

The rejoinder consisted of two other oaths similar in
eifect to the last, which were still hoverinnr on his un-
scrupulous toniiue when the voices of Gilpin and Brien
were heard outside the cavern amid the sullen roaring
of the wind. The Pole immediately became uneasy,
and begged Jane to say nothing to them, or to any other
of the Pirates, of what she had suspected. She neither
said she would or she would not. but still kept the knife
firmly grasped in her hand, while he made not tie
smallest movement that she did not closely waich.

" Hallo, Mr. Scrynocki!" cried Gilpin, entering the
cavern, " you were the first to be tired of helpin v iju-
gipsies in the chase after their murderous king. You
like a iolerable deal of ease, Mister Polander I You

!1 Hi

\] m-

522

THE CAKADfAN GIRL.

will never kill yourself with hard usage — will you,Scrj-
necki ?"

Here Jane's white and rigid countenance, and her
dilated eye, which had not heen a moment diverted from
her intended assassinator, arrested Gilpin's attention ;
he looked from her to the Pole, and from the Pole to
her, in some surprise, then exclaimed—

" Miss Anderson, be so good as tell me what has
alarmed you, that you look like this?"

A sense of safety shot through the heart of Jane as
his protecting tones reached her ear, and the previous
excitement to which she had been wrought gave way in
a violent fit of trembling and of tears, while the knife
dropped from her hold, and she suifered her face to sink
into her hands on her lap.

" D — n you, Scrynecki !" exclaimed Gilpin, seizing
him by the neck, and shaking him, " what have you
been doing ?"

" Mashter Gilpin ! Saire ! Take your hand off my
troat or I must choke !"

" What have you been doing to frighten Miss Ander-
son in this way?" demanded Gilpin, again shaking him
powerfully. The Pole made the cavern echo even to
its farthest "unexplored recesses by his loud cries foi
help ; but no one came to his assistance excepting the
old crone who had put Jane on her guard. <

" Well to be sure !" she whined, coming into the
cavern with uplifted hands ; '' there's to be more deeth
among us it seems — and yet i!'s a long time sin' I put
so many corses into the eerth as I have this blessed
night."

" Old dame," asked Gilpin, " do you know what

■I 1 - ,

i^m

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

."23

this cowardly devil has been doing to frighten yonder
lady?"

" For sure I know very weel," answered the crone,
coming up to the quaking Pole ; " he has been trying
to part the body and soul of her. It was I who told he
he would do it this blessed night if he wasn't pre
vented."

" And how did you know ?" inquired Gilpin.

" The little man who lies asleep in that right hand
tent 'queented me with his intentions."

" You born fiend you !" exclaimed Gilpin between
his teeth, again shaking the Pole with great violence,
and then throwing him down. " You black-hearted,
treacherous, contemptible, cursed rogue, you !"

" Mershy ! — raershy!" roared the prostrate fellow,
even after his punisher had withdrawn his hand from
him, and had walked to Jane. " I shall be murder if
no one doth help ! Mer — shy !"

" Get up ! and think yourself well off that I have not
shaken the wicked, worthless breath out of your vile body
— you despicable knave, you !" exclaimed G'ipin ;
" and take care how you conduct yourself after this !"

A heap of empty sacks and blankets which had been
Iving on one side were now brought to the fire bv Gil-
pin, and laid smooth one on another.

" There, Miss Anderson," said he, " rest you on
that, and try to compose yourself to sleep for an hour '
or so — 1 will take care no Polander, or any one else,

coo'es near you agani.

Thanking him, she sat down on this rude, but really
comfortable couch, and he stirred up the fire into a
blaze, putting on a heap of branches which the women

524

THE CANADIAN Gini.

* I

fill

brought in, but being damp with dew and frost they would
scarcely burn at all, and the cold became more and
more searching ; draughts of wind blew into the cavern
from its inner recesses as well as from the slope out-
side, and Jane was glad to wrap herself in a rug which
Gilpin procured for her from a gipsy woman who looked
compassionately on the shivering girl, while she herself
heeded not the rigour of the night, continual hardship
having rendered her almost invrlnerable to the changes
of the weather, ,

Sleep shortly overcame Jane, for she was greatly fa-
tigued and much needed rest : but her slumbers were
neither sweet nor refreshing, being rendered uneasy by a
painful feeling of cold, by troubled starts, and distressing
dreams. Now she imagined the Pole was chasing her
through a dark and desolate countrv along which she
fled for her life, the ghastliness of her sensations in-
creasing as she found herself climbing some steep and
slippery heiglit, whose top it was impossible for her to
reach, though if she could do so she would be safe ; then
her feet refused to move — the Pole came nigher with the
intended instrument of destruction in his hand — still
she was rooted to the ground as if she had grovn out of
i* like a tree — now he was upon her — the cold steel en-
tered her quivering heart — and — she awoke, with a
struggle, in the imaginary throes of death. Then she
slept again, and suj)poscd herself walking with Arthur
as his wife, happy and secure, in the valley of the Pas
tor's lodqe. All was tranquil about them, and she was
talking ofClinlon an I of Lucy as though the former
had never been otherwise than candid and sincere, and
Lucy never olhorwise than blest in his love. On a sud-

THE CANADIAN OIIIL.

:*.i?

den she saw the burial enclosure before her, and be-
tween the four large cypresses in the n.iddle sto )(1 h r
brother and Lucy, liand in hand, looking as happy as
themselves. She walked up to them leaning on Arthur's
arm ; Lucy appeared exceedingly beautiful, insomuch
that Jane whispered to her husband — " Do look at your
sister — she looks like an angel !" But while she was
saying so, Lucy clian<;ed to a shroudecl skeleton, and
glided from Clinton with an angry glance. Then there
was the Pole again, and Gilpin, and all the Pirates, and
the gipsies, thronging the enclosure. She lost sight of
Arthur, and in a moment saw herself in the deepest
mourning beside Lady Hester. A grave was open before
them, and looking down she saw her brother stretched
on Lucy's coffin. Then a host of changing faces and
changing scones, ail of funereal aspect, bewildered her,
and again she awoke.

Gilpin was pacing tl'.e cavern with hushed footstep',
manifestlv careful that ho mijrlit not disturb her. The
Pole was not to be seen. The gipsy women and the
elder children were packing up the goods belonging to
the camp, with little noise, and conveying them to (he
wagons outside. The younger children lay sleeping
about the fire, which looked as if it had been recently
trimmed for an early brcakfiist, as a prodigious iron tea-
kettle was hanging over it, and singing with a cheerful
noise. A faint blueish light enterintr between the
blankets hnng at the cavern entrance denoted the slow
breaking of the d;iwn. The male gipsies were just be-
ginning to drop in one by one from the useless pursuit
•jf their condemnt'd ruler, and threw themselves down to
sleep beside the little ones about the fire.

526

THK CANADIAN GIRL.

Jane welcomed that faint blueish light with transport,
and instantly roused herself for returning to her home,
which she had no doubt Gilpin intended she should do.
He observed that she was awake and looking anxiously
toward hitn, and by a slight motion of his head gave
her to understand that she was to go out of the cavern.
She did so, without being interrupted by any one, and
at once Gilpin joined her. He hastily showed her that
way to the main forest road by which the gipsies had led
their wagons hither, and assisting her to mount one of
the horses stolen from her father (its companion having
died of the shot in its breast) led it a little way without
being perceived in the obscurity of the hour, lie luid
been so thoughtful for her as to fasten behind the saddle
one of the warmest Mankets the camp could furnish, in
case she should find the cold too intense for her, as since
her marten fur pelisse had been given to the old woman
her clothing was but light for such bitter weather.

Aud thus Jane set off on her return to her fallu-r,
her brother, and her lover, alone, the perils of llie way
she had to traverse seeming as nothing to her. But be-
fore she turned her horse into the forest road, she met
with an interruption from the crone who was wrappod
in her fur pelisse. The old woman stepped before the
horse and seized the bridle. Jane tremblingly recognised
her voice, ^^^d feared that she was about to be detained.
But the old cro 3 cared not whither the maiden went
afier she had taken from her all that was valuable of
her dress. Havinff made her sentiments and wishes
in this respect known to Jane, the latter ventured to
remonstrate with her, but seeing that remonstrances
were utterly thrown away, and dreading that each mo-

dtfa

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

527

ment she lingered here might prove fatal to her escape,
dismounted, and taking off her second fur over-dress
gave it to the covetous hag, who exchanged for it a
shaggy, red, woollen wrapper, in which Jane was com-
pelled, by the severity of the cold, to wrap herself as
well as she could.

The horse after this went forwards at the quickest
l)ace the bad road would allow ; the wind subsided ; the
sky became flushed with the beams of the rising sun ;
llie atmosphere grew sonnwhat warmer, and Jane's
spirits raour.ted every mouent

528

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

ili

CHAPTER XXVIII.

" Oh, tnat tho slave had forty thousauct lives f
One is too poor, too weak, for my /evengo !" — Shaktpeart.

(

A FRW days prior to that on which Jane had been
kidnapped from her father's house, there had been a
fearfully tempestuous night — a more tempestuous one
had never been known — the wind had been so terribly
strong that scarcely any thing could stand before it ; —
forests were levelled to the ground — cottages and farms
unroofed and beaten in— even solid hills had suffered
from its fury, and had been dismantled of their leafy
coverings ; — hail, snow, and rain, with thunder and
lightning, alternated through the pitchy, awful hours.
Uany were the unhappy human beings who fell beneath
tho (stroke of the destroying angel this night! Some
were burned to cinders by tho lightning — others died
with the excessive cold, whose effects partially resembled
those of fire, and left the victims blistered and disfigured
as bv contact with heated substances — some were caught
up by the mad blast and hurled into deep ravines, or
rivers — and others again were crushed by the falling
timbers and chimneys of their ruined habitations.

,'t.l-iJ.

iHP. CANADIAN OIRL.

130

f*. was in the Upper Province that this frightful tem-
pest raged most violently, and among those overtaken
by its fury was the Settler's son, Dan. He was crawling
along with a feeble, and tottering, and unequal tread,
at a few miles distance from his father's roof, toward
which his painful way was directed. His nnfrainly figure
was wasted to a very shadow ; his awkward limbs were
half naked; the field frock thathehad on, which had been
once white, of his mother's spinning, was worn full of
holes, and through many of them the wind blew directly
in upon his exposed bodj', which was fast losing the
poor measure of vitality that famine had spared : the
remnant of a round straw hat rested upon his head
without any pretensions to covering it. Sharpest
misery had imparted to his eyes, that ordinarily were
none of the brightest, a glassy, vivid glare, absolutely
startling-; his nose was sharp and pinched like that of a
dying jjerson ; where his cheeks should have been, there
were hollow indentations under the sharp high bones,
and rounii patches of scarlet like paint; his moutn,
which had been brought into undue prominence by the
meagreness of his jaws, was quite open as he moved
along, evidently in order to facilitate his impeded respi-
ration ; his lips were scarlet ; his breath fiery-hot and
thick ; his beard an inch and a half long ; the hair of
his head greasy and thin, and matted with dirt, hung
about the angles of his stooping shouUlers; and in this
deplorable condition, with one hand on his leftside and
the other on a thick stick by which he assisted himself
forward, Dan was returning after sun-down to his parents*
home, whence farmer Joshua had banished him imme-
diately after Clinton rebutted on him the charge of

3 Y

V'V

!, i'

530

THE CANADIAN OlRL.

dishonesty — he was retur"in«T to declare his innocence
to those among whom he had once been happy, and
then to die !

" I reckon this will be a bad night — a very bad one,"
said the poor fellow, pausing ruefully to look round the
threatening heavens, and shivering until the teeth chat-
tered in his head. '• It will take me an hour at shortest
to get there, I reckon ! Oh, how cutting the wind is !'*

Uttering the last exclamation in*^a low groaning key,
he again went on, until the waters of the trout-pool were
revealed to him by the livid lightnings with which the
heavens and earth were now momently illu, .inated. Dan
stopped at the edge of that well knc n -eam^ av "•,
throwing himself down on the clayey ban', ay without
strength under the " pelting of that pitiless storm ' foi
more than a quarter of an hour. There were moments
during that period when he sobbed as if his heart were
ready to burst ; a..d once he threw up his arms into the
air with a jerk, and wrung his hands, while a bitter cry
rose from his lips. •

He advanced again toward the Settler's farm, but
n'ore slowly than before, and with exceeding difficulty.
Ho had not a dry thread on him — the hail beat upon
liim like showers of lead — sometimes he was driven to
the right or the left by the tremendous blast, and was
only able to save himself from immediate destruction by
Clinging to a tree or a bush — sometimes he was forced
backwards, sometimes forwards, at a flying pace ; and
weak as he was, and quite unable to contend though
ever so little with his viewless assailant, it was past mid-
Tiii^lit before ho collected his last energies in a final
siinjjtrlt' to rrach the familiar door in sight, and to thro v

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

531

»)

himself down on the threshhold, where a death-like
swoon came over him. '

Within, the Settler's family were seated around the
fire in that room which had formerly been the scene of
Dan's dis(;race. There was Farmer Joshua himself in
the large chair, his rifle upright between his knees, on
the barrel of which he rested his head in moody ab-
straction; and there was his notable wife, stout and
clean, clad in garmentsentirely of her own manufacturo^
plucking the feathers from a wild bird that lay on her
lap, because she could not be idle, while sitting up to
see the worst of the storm over ; and there were her
four daughters and three of her five sons, the youngest
girl sitting on a stool in front of the hearth, listening to
the wild and dismal noise of the wind in the chimney
with looks of uneasy awe ; the eldest son was in his own
farm ; the other of the two that were wanting was the
banished Dan. The Settler was thinking of him as he
sat brooding over the circumstance of his disgrace,
blaming himself vehemently for having yielded to Pas-
tor Wilson's judgment against him, and nourishing the
deepest and fiercest hatred against the author of his
misfortune.

" And you — yoii, his mother and his sisters — you who
gave birth to the boy, and you who were bred up with
him !" cried he, suddenly giving a voice to the secret
workings of his long-hi<Ulcn feelings, and looking on
his wife and daughters with glances of passionate re^
proach, "aye, you — took pa»t svlth the gen*leman-rogue ?
the liar! tie treacherous, deceiiful liar! and turned
against the boy ! Shame on sl.ame on every one of
you ! 'Twas you thut drove him from his futlif r's 'artli,

532

THE CANADIAN OIRU

and roof, to — who can guess what 1 Pastor Wilson was
mistaken — the boy was honest !"

" Dear me, Farmer Joshua !" exclaimed the Settler s
wife, surprised and irritated, '' it's extremely odd of
you to say that I and the girls drove Dan (for 1 suppose
'tis him you mean) out of the house, when you well
know that we tried hard to persuade you to let him stay,
and you were so obstinate — "

" Obstinate !" repeated the Settler, throwing his
rifle from him to the ground, and starting up — " Was I
to let a son of mine stay hero to steal before my face?
Didn't you all tell me that he was a thief, and that
Clinton was the person ill-used in that affair? Wliut
could I do then but send him away lor the rest of his
days 1 I tell you 'tis you who have driven him on the
wide world without a friend, and vi'hatever he comes to,
he will have, and I shall have, only ycu to thank for it!"

With these violent words, accomi^anied by corres-
ponding gestures, Farmer Joshua strode up and down
the long apartment, his looks gloomy and angry.

" Oh, what a dreadful flash!" exckimed the eldest
daughter, burying her eyes in her apion.

" And hark how the wind drives aga nst the house !
—it will certainly bo blown down on u? !" responded
one of her sisters, running to the door in alarm as if she
thought the open air the safest place.

A sudden blow against the window made all start and
look affrighted, except the Settler ; a tr je had been torn
up from the earth and dashed against the closed shutters ;
then largo hail clattered against thern, and then the
wina tierrcly shook their fastenings as if it would rend
thorn oil*; imd after that the thunder bellowed over '.ho

Tilt: CANADIAN OlllL.

533

fny.u like the mingling reports of a hundred cannon.
It WAS a dreadful niffht !

" Aye — aye — ^}'ou tremble to hear all this," resumed
the Settler, still speaking to the women. " Although
you have tough and strong log walls about you, and a
warm 'arth to keep off the cold, you tremble to hear
the hail and wind — but you tremble only for yourselves!
— there isn't one of you cares the worth of one of that
bird's feathers whether Dan be out in it or not ! — not
you ! — no ! the boy is a thief you say ! and if I thought
he was a thief, or ever inclined to be a thief, I would be
as careless about him as you are ! But I do not believe
it! I never did believe it! and I wish I had withered
away root and branch before I had given any ear to
they who prated against him !"

There was an uncomfortable silence after this, and
the Settler's wife left off plucking her bird to meditate
upon her lost son, for though be had never been a fa-
Tourito with her — and she was a woman who had her
Isivourites among her children — yet she could not en-
tirely cast away a mother's yearnings for him to whom
she had given life.

" Dan may be well off enough for what we know,"
observed the eldest daughter — " only think how long
it is since he went away."

And he may be ill off enough !" returned Farmer
Joshua, darting upon her a wrathful look. '* He may
be President of the States ! — but it's not very likely, I
suppose ! That's what you all comfort and harden
yourselves with — ' he may be well off enough !' — but 1
ti.'ll you that it's to be feared he's ill offi and my mind
sore misgives mc that he's very ill off! As to the time

i^34

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

\ip^

since he went away, haven't I had news of him once
.^";\ce then, and was not that news bad news? Hadn't
lie Leen seen in a starving condition rambling abouL
the country like one out of his wits? And he has had
enough to send him out of his wits — that he has !"

" If you feel so sure that Clinton lied against him,
you and brothers had better try to bring him back,"
interposed the second daughter.

" No !" cried Farmer Joshua, with a decisive accent,
" not a child of mine shall stay in my house with a
tainted character. There was a time when law was in
my own hands for the regulation of my family ; then I
would have dealt with my children without regarding
what anv one else thought! But now the law is in the
hands of magistrates, and one of them has judged Dan
to be a thief — and he shall come no more here until
that same magistrate has judged him to be honest ! and
until that gentleman-liar! that Clinton! has had his
dues before the public eye I What is the matter now,
Dinah ?"

This was the young woman who stood against tho
door, and who was in the act of stooping to listen at the
latch.

" Hush !" she whispered, holding up her finger,
" there is some living creature, man or beast, lying on
the door step."

The storm grew hushed for a second or two, and in that
brief pause a loud moan was distinctly heard tiirough
all ...e room. The Settler sprang to the door, and
was taking away the heavy bar of wood which fastened
it, when his wife came and caught his arm.

" Arc you mad, Farmer Joshua ?" she cried, with

THB CANADIAN OIRU

.o/?

looks of terror. " 'Tis the moan of some animal that
has been driven from the hills by the tempest — put back
the bar, unless you would have ' :^^ torn in pieces!"

" Mistress, sijnd away!" e^cu ir ■ the Settler, in a
sunken but excited tone, " tlv. "&% ao animal's moan !
tliere is a man outside! H' \ .ht e again ! — is that an
animal ?"

The exclami)*ion " fathr '^ v .s just distinguishable
to the Settler and his wife ; it was pronounced in a feeble
voice, straining to make itself heard. On came the roar
of the storm again, but the Settler heeded it not ; ho
tore open the door, and calling aloud for the assistance
ofhis sons, raised from the wet stone outside an emaciated
and miserable creature dripping with rain, who had
scarcely life enough to throw his weak arms about the
Settler's neck, and to sob forth the words —

" Father, I am come to tell you with my dying breath
that Clinton spoke falsely of me !"

The Settler bore him in his arms as though he had
lieen an infant to the fire, and placed him in the large
chair ; there Dan gave him one look — a look which told
a tale of sutfering and anguish not to be computed, and
then, dropping his head — died !

The family crowded about him, incredulous of his
identity, he was so grievously altered; but the Settler
put them all back with a motion of his arms, and, fas-
tening a long and mournlul gaze on Dan's worn features,
said, more to himself than any one else —

*' It is Dan indeed ! and he is no sooner found than
lost ! But for his wroi.^s there is one shall pay dearly.
Blasts upon that Clinton's head for the misery he lias
'jrunj^r'it here ! I will neither eat nor drink in my own

£36

THB CANADIAN GIRI^

house again, T swear, until I have had vengeance upon
n'lna for this !"

" Dan only faints," said one of the young women ;
** mother will soon bring him round with some hot
drinks.*'

" Yes — yes," said the Settler's wife, who now hung
weeping over the altered figure, while she hastily; gave
directions to her daughters for heating flannel Tor his
chest, water for fomenting him, a blanket for wrapping
him in, and giuger-wine for hira to dvink. " Only be
quick, girls, and let us get these dripping rags off his
poor thin body, and lay him on that bed nearest the
fire. Mark, you can warm the wine, can't you 1 And
you Jedediah and Reuben, lend a hand to help your
poor brother !"

" They cannot help him,*' said the Settler, speaking
with unnatural calmness — " he is gone !"

"Gone!" wildly echoed the mistress of the farm,
gazing wistfully in the face of her senseless son, '' gone!
You don't mean, Farmer Joshua, to tell me that he is
dead ?"

" I say he is quite dead," returned the Settler, still
collectedly ; " he died just after I put him in the chair.
But you all heard his last words — * Clinton spoke falsely
of me,' — you all heard him say that, didn't you ?"

" I heard him say it — and I believe it now if I never
did before !" cried Dan's mother.
, " So do I !" responded the daughters.

"And 1!" " and I!" repeated Reuben, and Mark,
and Jedediah, more sternly. i

" Dan has been murdered tlicn bv that Clinton as
nuchas if he had been shot or stabbed by him I" aaid

.iUu,

THB CANADIAN OIKU

537

tl;e Settler, slowly and emphatically, " aud I have sworn
to neither eat nor drink under this roof of mine again
until the gentleman-murderer has met with his proper
deserts ! As soon as day breaks I shall go from you,
and you will not see me again while Clinton lives!"

Nobody ventured to interrupt the Settler, aud he
proceeded firmly —

*' Bury the boy " (thus he designated each of his sons,
though the youngest was a full grown man) " privately
— let no one know of his death, or of his return here.
Mark, load my rifle, and fill my powder horn."

His commands were silently obeyed.

" What leads are there in the skin I** meaning a skin
pouch.
. " Only three," was the reply.

" Add more then." •

This was done also at once. '

♦' Mistress," resumed thfe Settler, " carry the boy up
stairs — no words, but do it. Some one may be dropping
in to-morrow morning early."

This removal had been effected, and then the Settler,
taking a candle into his hand, went up and remained
alone with the body until day-break ; at that time he
came down, put on his hat, fastened the pouch and the
horn at his waist, took the loaded rifle in his hand, and
abruptly bidding farewell to his family, who feared to in-
terpose a word in his present determined mood, rusheu
firoro the hoase.

on as

said

8 z

538

TUB CANADIAN GIRL.

CHAPITER XXIX.

*' This visit bodes, 1 fear, no good
To some who should be happy."

Precisely at six o'clock the same day a social dinner
party entered Mrs. Markham's best dining parlour, in
Toronto, all in due order, and took their seats at her
tastefully-arranged and luxurious table, where all that
could charm the eye, the fancy, and the palate of the
gourmand, was displayed to view under the full radiance
cast from clusters of gilded lights.

The excellent hostess was of course the last to enter,
and when she had taken her seat at t)ie head of the
table, the Earl of Wilton sat at her right hand, and the
presiding oCrar of the barracks on her left ; Major-
general Markham occupied the centre of the table foot,
and at his right was the youthful Lady Letitia, and on
his left the person next in rank to her among the ladies
of the company.

Theconversation was neither more nor less intoresliiig
than dinner conversation usually is, although the recent
death of King George the Fourth, and bis life and dii-
racter, formed the chief topics.

liiiii

,ii_i.

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

539

The Earl of Wilton was particularly taciturn it was
remarked, and appeared to be engrossed with some re<
flections in which the company were not allowed to share.
The cloth had been drawn, and still he spoke only in
monosyllables, and that at r o other time but when he
was addressed by some one ; he was very absent too, an
unaccountable circumstance with so hijrh-bred a man
during a dinner hour. Letitia sent many an unc;isy
glance toward him across the table from time to tinic,
which were not unobserved by Mrs. Markham, »ho niade
frequent observations upon her pale and pensive looks.

** I have a headache,'* was Letitia's excuse; and in>
deed this was true, and she had the heart-ache besides ;
for she knew that the Earl*s present visit to his excel-
lency the Governor would prove the occasion of a tleuth-
blow to her sister's happiness.

It happened to be the Earl who opened the duor of
the room for the ladies to retire, and as she was pa:;sing
out, the last of the fair group excepting the hostess, Mrs.
Markham observed her catch his hand and fastp on his
face a pleading look ; the momentary appeal was
answered by a glance of hard, and Mrs. Markham felt,
thouffh she knew not the nature of it, cruel determina-
tion, and then Letitia moved to the dv-aning ioom with
a languid and depressed mien.

The good hostess felt troubled anl anxious on ace* "int
of Lady Hester, not doubting tliat what she h&d ob-
served had an immediate reference to her, and perhaps
to her unfortunate attachment for Mr. Clinton. With
tills idea she drew Letitia to the window apart from (he
other ladies, and in her accustomed plain way said —

" My dear girl, 1 see there is something the matter

540

THB CANADIAN OIBL.

with you — tell mo what it is. Is your sister Hester
happy?"

" Happy !" echoed Letitia, and turning away her
head she wept.

Mrs. Markham drew a small lounge within the sha-
dow of the window drapery, and seating herself and
Letitia on it, took the hand of the distressed girl, and
embraced her with nothing short of maternal kindness. (

** Then I am not wrong in my conjecture," said
Mrs. Markham — '* Hester is in trouble."

*' She is likely to be po indeed !" exclaimed Letitia.
" Oh, little thinks she of what is before her !"

" Tell me all, my dear girl," said Mrs. Markham,
with the deepest interest, " I may be able to serve her.
I know something of her secrets, so you need not be
afraid of betraying confidence by speaking unreservedly
to me. Has that which you apprehend any thing to do
with Mr. Clinton ?"

" Yes— oh, yes! — Mrs. Markham!" exclaimed Le-
titia, and hesiitated, scarcely knowing whether she ought
to j)roreed farther or not, and yet longing to unburden
ii<r full heart to this kind friend of her sister. '^ And
now 1 think of it, i* is possible you migiit be of service
to hor hereafter, when — " again she stopped,

" Do not think idle curiosity prompts rie to draw
the secret from you," said Mrs. Markham, " 1 have
l)«'tter motives."

'• 1 am sure yon have, kindest madam," cried Letitia,
narnily pressinj; the hand which hehl her own, "and
!.*\itl — >es — I will tell you every thing — I am sure
IlfsttT would not blame me. But wo must be aiouo."

••1 will (.ontii it," (Said Mrs. Markham ; " sti>al

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

541

away out of the room directly — I will make an excuse
for you to the ladies on the ground of indisposition, and
come to you as soon as I have seen them all in a fair
way for amusing themselves/'

" And now, Mrs. Markliam," hegan Letitia, when
her warm>hearted hostess had joined her according to
promise in a dressing room up stairs, " sister told you
in one of her letters of our adventure on Lake Erie be-
fore we left the Canadas last ?"

" Yes, she did. "Vou were resctied from drowning
by the captain of a cruiser."

" By the celebrated Pirate, M -s. Markham, whom
Mr. Clinton was engaged by hi.-' excellency to assist in
making prisoner."

" You astonish mo ! And how were you treated by
him ?"

" So well that I blush for papa's ingratitude in coming
here to betray him to the Governor I"
Is tiiat really his errand ?*'

" It is indeed ! I have besought him in vain — ho is
bent upon bringing the preserver of his child's life to a
disgraceful scaffold!"

" But how can this affect Lady Hester ?"

" Oh, my dear Mrs. Markham ! Mr. Clinton is the
son of that Pirate! he was in the vessel at the same
time with us." '•

" 7'hon this accounts for his having turned against
these whom he wjis engaged to assist, and fighting with
and for the Pirates," observed Mrs. Markham, " a piece
of conduct which has as much surprised as enraged the
Governor."

" But when my bister charged him with acting wrongly

542

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

I •■

in this respect," said Letitia. "he declared that he
was sincere when ho accepteci tne trust, but that he
afterwards made the discovery of his relationship to the
Pirate." '

" I would rather think this to bo the case than that
he could deserve the Governor's present ill opinion of
him," returned Mrs. Marklmin. " Bui as I am extremely
impatient, my dear, you will excuse me I know if I put
to you an abrupt question — has he corresponded with
your sister since ^er return to England ?"

" Mrs. M.irkham," saidLetitia, hermanncr calculated
to ijive effect to the important communication, " they
have not only corresponded but are about to be married.
Sister came out with papa and I from our own country
a few weeks ago, and papa separated from her at Mon-
treal, and forbade me to have any further intimacy with
her on account of her connexion with Mr. Clinton, .vlio
came into our ship on the St. Lawrence river, and in-
troduced her to his sister when we landed."

Mrs Markham turned very grave, meditated, siiook
her haad, andobs'jrved " ^twaaa sad story ; she wished
that she could see her young friend. The Governor
had a sister in Montreal whom she had not visiicd for
some ytars, she had a good mind to surprise her the
next week, nud then endeavour to find Lady Hester."

" And perhaps you could prevail on pa,)a to let mo
go with you," eagerly remarked Lctitia, throwing back
her load of yellow curls over her shoulder with a return
of her natural vivacity, and regai ..ess whether or not
her self invitation might prove acceptable to his xcel-
lency's sister. " Oh, do, if you can, Mrs. Mark-
ham !"

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

.013

" No — no, my love," said the hostess, tj;ppin<» hor
polishe<l nock, " no, no, I must not have you with me,
or tl'.e E;irl might suspect me of teaching yoi to oppose
his will by bringing you into your sister's society. You
must not think of yonr own deprivation now, my dear,
but only of what will be the likeliest means to benefit
lior for whom we are both anxious. Come, let us return
to the ladies for the present, by this time coffee has been
bronnfht into them — vrc will talk again when you retire
to bod, then we shall have learned whether the Governor
has received tidings of the Pirate from your papa; if
he has, I shall soon be in Montreal, and there endeavour
to prove to your dear sister that in me she has a real
friend."

It will have been understood from this conversation
between Mrs. Markham and Letitia, that Lady Hester
and the Pirate had not met ti.o Earl at Montreal ; ho
had, indeed, left it for Toronto some days before their
arrival, takinn; his youngest daughter with him. Lady
Hester, though at first unable to learn whither he had
^Tone, hoped soon to be able to do so, by means she had
])ut in operation, and in this hope remained at Mon-
treal, while the Pirate returned to his seigniory with, in-
strurtions to biing Clinton and Jane to her, as she
now thouLTlit it best for tho former to have an interview
nilh th(! \<],\vl as soon as he should be found, and as she
wished for t'lo ^entle companionship of the " Canadian
Girl" under tho peculiarly delicate circumstances in
>vliicli she was placed.

At present, then. Lady Hester remains at Montreal,
tho second principal town of Lower Canada, vainly ^n-
ticipiitiiiir a speedy reconciliation with the proud vr

614

TUB CANADIAN GIRL.

iLi

lier father; while he, ignorant of the elevaiion to which
n turn of fortune has raised the scorned individual who
seeks an alliance in his family, is engaged in the
capital of the Upper Province in accomplishing Clin-
ton's everlasting disgrace, by bringing his father to
an ignominious death, thinking by that means to turn
Lady Hester from her purposes, and to prevent the in-
tended union. On his first arrival at the house of the
Lieutcnaijt-gove;nor in Toronto, he jarefully avoided
making any allusions to the humbling circumstances of
his eldest daughter's connexion with Clinton, charging
Lctitia to use the same caution, and even to take care
that she gave no one reason to suspect her sister to be
at present in America. He spoke only of his diplomatic
mission, as if that had been the sole occasion of his
quilting, a second time, his native shores for the trans^-
citluntic world.

But the fire of his wounded pride was not long in
finding vent ; when the pleasures of wine and coffee had
been for the present exhausted, and the gentlemen of
the dinner party had rejoined the ladies in the drawing
room, ho remained behind for a half hour, holding a
private conference with his excellency the host, who was
then informed by him of the near relationship of Clin-
ton and the Pirate, of their co-operation With and re-
gard for each other, and of his having seen the former
in Montreal when he lately landed in that town, where,
he considered it most probable, they both ere at this
present period.

" I am extremely glad to receive this information—
I am particularly pleased — I am gratified beyond mea-
sure!" exclaimed his excellency, putting on his military

;

THB CANADIAN OIBL.

SiS

hat unconsciously, and pressing it down over his brows.
" Now I shall have that fellow at last ! I have long*
been baffled in my search after him, but now I shall
see hirn hung up to a certainty ! Let me consider — L
can se.'ve this Mr. Clinton as he deserves for his false
dealing with me — I have a paper which he gave to Pastor
Wilson, the magistrate of the Ottawa district, containing
such an account of the mutiny in which Captain Barry
perished as will convict his father of a capital offence
c'.'iik Chough I possessed no other evidence. 1 hope
yotitr lordship will find leisure to go with me to Mon-
tre< ! to see this Pirate brought to justice upon that
wrili'^n statement — it is a curiors case, and one in which
you will be greatly interested."

*• Of that I am convinced," said the Rail, with bitter
emphasis. ** But I shall be en mi pel led to remain in
Toronto at least a month lonp by my official duties,
therefore I must decline accoi' ying you. You will
set out soon ?"

" To-morrow morning, my i' 'end — I shall delay no
longer," replied his cxcellei: , rising from his chair
engrossed with the excitemt 1 of the journey in prospect.
" I must not let the fellow scape me again — he shall
hang within a fortnight from this day, my lord, or I will
forfeit my post in this countr' as one not worthy to re-
tain it."

" You have my sincere wishes for the success of your
plans," said the Earl; " and ^ hould he heartily glad,"
he added internally, " if, with the father, you would
hang the sou. But could I^dy Hester be disposed to
marry the son of an executed malefactor I should giv«^
her up inde«d 1 But that I think she could not, dmt

•I A

;

546

Tiff CANADIAN OIAL.

not do ! Then my only fear must be lest she be marriecl
to her pauper lover before the infamy lights on him.
Yet surely of that tliere can be little danger if the Go-
yemor be as speedy as he promises to be. Thus far
then I have promoted the salvation of my ancient family
from the threatening dishonour which was about to
eclipse its hitherto unsullied brightness, to preaerro
which I should estimate no exertion too great— no i
flee too costly !'*

' li II

THB CANAIMAM OIML.

447

||,t: ■■

,r, . -. /

T-lil'?

; <!■;,»

VTV

CHAPTER XXX.

O my soul's joy I — '

If after every t^mpesi come tuch calms,f

May the winds blow till they have waken'd death I

And let the labouring bark climb hills of seas

OlympuB-high ; and duck again aa low

As hell's from hearen i" — Shak$fmr;

As Jane*s meek and quiet spirit began to recover its
tone a little, she unconsciously fell into a train of s«date
reflection upon the extraordinary occurrences of the last
tvtrenty-four hours. She was especially surprised and
shocked at the failisg of her piety in the hour of need.

** I am no< a hypocrite," thus she reasoned with
herself; ** my love of God, and my hope in Him, has
always been sincere — how then has it come to pass,
that when I most required their aid my principles de-
serted mel This must be inquired into with care; for
if my r«4igion will not befriend me in the si^t of death
it is worthless. Yet it cannot be religion which is to
blame! It has sustained thousands of mart vrs in the
flames — millions of saints on the bed of suflTenng, and
in the hours of agony — who all have Vft behind them
a glorious testimony of its omnipotent p wcr. It must
have been I alone who was the causo of my defeat whon

548

ffiR CANADIAN OIRl.

1. 1

I I

r I

!►

terror hsmhiIcU me, and not religion. I have not lived
ill that state of liabitual preparation for the last enemy
which is commanded me. Religion has not promised
instant attention to the calls of the soul in necessity,
when that soul in prosperity has always persevered in
neglecting her advices and her warnings. Whenever
my heart has been at rest from trouble, my mind free
from aiixiety, then I have ceased to be vigilant in my
most holy, niu*.t solemn, duties ; and what could follow
but this that has now happened? — distresses taking me
unawares — (he fear of death svh'ms me when I am least
prepared for it — the promises of God's Holy Word,
those sweetest lights of heaven, withdrawn from me when
I look for them with agony, and my soul left benighted,
comfortless, and afraid. liut this must be so no more,"
said she, speaking aloud, and looking upward with
melting ey(!s. " On the longed for land where my ever
regretted Lucy lUvells, 1 will from this moment fix my
constant thoughts. Earthly happiness, however great,
shall not divert nie from continual watching for my final
summons." A culm and deep satisfaction shone on her
gentle features as sihintly she locked her hands before
her on the saddle, when she repeated this resolution,
one which it would be well if more of us were inclined
to make, t i ;, , ,

Glad was she when she began to find herself quitting
the horrid shades of the gloomy forest and coming
upon the ojion country. Before her was the road she
had yesterday traversed in an insensible condition, sup-
\)orted by Bricn amid the horde of Pirates ; she knew
it not ; but her eye rested on the distant sails of the
seigniory mill, and by their situation she knew that she

■t..-u„

TUB CANADIAN OIBL.

649

was in the direct way to her father's house ; glad and
thankful she was for this; and having stopped her horse
on the last forest descent that led down into the road,
in order to listen if she was pursued, and being satisfied
no one was at all near her, she was about to put forward
it a more rapid pace, when the sound of voices struck
Jismay into her heart They were heard only for an
instant, and sounded neither from the forest behind nor
the level road in front, but as it seemed from a near
place on h^r left though the speakers were unseen.
Holding her breath with fear, and keeping the horse
perfectly still, she waited the issue for a minute or more.
The voices were not heard again, but presently two gun
shots close at hand made her start in ala'"n, and imme*
diately after a large black bear broke through the trees
within three yards of her horse's head, sprang from a
low decli"ity into the road, bounded across, and plunged
into a tangled ravine on the other side. The horf,e at
once took fright, and dashed along *he road, while the
scream of Jane rose shrilly upon the hearing of two In-
dian hunters, who had been chasing the bear from his
winter dormitory, but who now promptly pressed after
the perilled maiden ; the startled horse continued flying
along the road for some distance, until the sight of a
party of horsemen approaching caused it to turn off
suddonl}' through the furze hedge, and it then proceeded
at a headlong speed over an icy savannah, or plain, di-
rect to that ravine in which the bear had sought refuge.
Jane's terror was redoubled when she saw the fearful
gap before her, in which, if she escaped being dashed
to |)iecc's, she wouM be at the mercy of an infuriated
wild beast; and with an instantaneous and powerful

■i ■':

'1^1

iao

TBB CANADIAN OIRL.

effort of the mind, at once gave herself p for lost, at
the same time yielding to her doom with the prompt re-
signation of a prepared mind.

But it was the will of God that she should be pre-
served also in this alarming crisis; for when the horse
reached the edge of the ravine it took a slanting course
downwards and reached the bottom in safety. There
Jane was thrown from the saddle into a clump uf bushes,
and received no injury greater than a slight bruise or
two and a few scratches from the brambles, if her fright
be excepted.

To all the alarms she had lately experienced, how-
eier, another still remained to be added. She had
hardly disengaged herself from the prickly bush<>s as
the bear presented himself before her, by thrusting his
immense head and shoulders out from between some
close>growing juniper shrubs on a projection within
arms length; nevertheless, she was not long in escaping
from the unwelcome presence of bruin, for jr.st as she
was about to fly a shot from the Indian hunters drove
the huge animal back into the cover, and in another
second she was hailed by the encouraging shouts of her
father, her brother, and Mr. Lee, who with their servants
had been riding in search of her when tliey became the
innocent means of increasing her jeopardy, tlicy having
been the horsemen whom the steed had seen when it
broke from the road.

The Pirate hastened to load the way down into the
ravine, and his daughter eank into his arms utterly over-
come by the scries of shocks her nerves had sustained.

She was then renovcd with every mark of tenderness
that cou'd be lavished on a belovjd female back to her

*i...-*.

TUB CANADIAN GIRL.

5rA

home, where repose of I dy and of mind soon restored
her shattered spirits. The horse she had becMi thrown
from was never ho^rd of afterwards ; it was suppoited it
must have become a prey '.o its own reckless fury and was
afterwards devoured by the wild beasts of the foreut.

The house was now made secure against intruders
such as it had lately held, by a band of tenants of the
seit^niory bein<]^ lodged within it, plentifully provided
with arms, and the proprietor and his children, with
Mr. Lee, journied to Montreal, where they spent several
weeks with Lady Hester in the enjoyment o( the best
society, amid the lively amusements peculiar to the
season.

The romantic circumstances which had attended the
rise of the present Marquis of Rougemont, though but
imperfectly known, made him an noject of great i^»
terest to the Canadian nobility, especially to those who
had been acquainted with his father^s melancholy history.
As soon as they became aware that he was in Montreal,
invitations poured in upon him, and calls at his rooms
were far more numerous than was desirable, privacy
being necessary to his safety.

Nevertheless it was not prudent to shun altogether
the advances of those who courted his acquaintance ;
the Pirate therefore adopted a middle course as the
wisest, putting forward his children and their aflBanced
ones as oflen as he could in his stead, and only appearing
when politeness strictly required.

Walking, riding, carrioling on the ice-bound river,
balls, pic-nics, and evening parties, succeeded to each
other with breathless rapidity.

Lady Hester forgot her resolution to forsake societj,

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WnSTM.N.Y. MSSO

(716) •72-4503

552

THE CANADfAN Gini,.

and was again the admiration and delight of all wlm
were privileged to approach her.

Clinton was ten times as poetical and fascinating as
ever; and with h's fine sentiments, visionary theories,
graceful person, easy manners, and ornamental know-
ledge, formed, in the estimation of all who saw them
together, a fitting companion in every respect for his
charming intended.

Arthur did but lend himself to these passing gaieties,
in which his heart was not at home ; he better loved the
more homely pleasures of retired life, and longod ex-
ceedingly for the hour when he could remove Jane from
hence to ihcm.

She, in the deep and placid happiness of her soul,
saw only around her tlior.e in whom her alTections were
centred ; received no tinge of joy but what was reflected
from their smiles ; wislicd nothing but what they wished;
and absolutely merged for the present her personal
existence in theirs.

The Pirate looked on the blissful con))Ies with a fa-
ther's pride and pleasure ; but his li.ippiiioss was dasher?
by vague fears of coming evil, he know not what or
why. When his eye caught the smiling bashfulnoss of his
dearly-loved Jane while Arthur was whispering to her
his future domestic plans, or wh(>n his oar distinguished
the honied accents of his sou poured nut in lavish blan-
tlishment to the fair and elegant beinj; his arm encircled
then would the heart of the pa rent beat thick with gloomy
iorebodings tha* these pictures of paradise would not lu
before him long, and he would seem to hear the hiss oi
the serpent among tho flowers.

And I'ven in the ordinary course of events felicity

■IHU CANADIAN GIRL.

i»63

rannot continue. Man is born to trouble ; the decree
is the birthright of all the posterity of Adam. In sol>er
truth the world is to the most fortunate a vale of tears.
The seeds of sorrow, like the seeds of death, are within
us; our deepest joys are nearly allied to pain; tears
are alike the expression of our acutest grief and bliss.
AU this the Pirate well knew, for he had outlived the
period when fancy throws her ilhis'ive vapours over this
terrestrial scene, and he beheld it in its true and sternest
.'eatures. Well therefore nii^ht the sight of his chil-
dren's felicity awaken sadder and profounder reflections
in his breast than they at present could understand.

But he did not only anticipate for them the ordinary
sorrows of life — his own position was precarious in the
extreme, and theirs was linked with his. As yet no
public whisper of his having been connected with pi-
rates had reached his ear from any quarter. But how
long could»he depend upon the preservation of the im-
portant secret 1 An hour might blast his character and
ruin the prospects of those precious ones of whom he
thought so anxiously. Visions of a prison and of a
scaffold rose before him while their happy voices rang
on his ear; their smiles became transformed by his
boding imagination into looks of agony, and their buoy-
ant exclamations into cries of everlasting farewell. He
could not endure the images he had conjured up — he
shook them off— but they returned again and again,
and on each and all there was the living atamp of
reality, so that he could not avoid the conviction that
such things must yet happen, and that he was a fftted

man

' • r^/'l'

« ♦•

554

THB CAMAUfAN GIRL.

.,. i-.ij, .|ti : >i.'i;i ■'> >>-• II !• .i ' i:;:!'' .'m .•iliic > 1. i»n •»
, „! , ,'\ i .; :■■ /)ir ; .'ij >;!) !- . ■ r:;.ii:!:.,M •..'! .

.viii'i! U> ••'•»•./ J. •. }/;:!t'.n M \yMlu ■ .t. » •;! '. i'"-i '• n i! •''
liul'! •' • (■• A\hy-\i'\.> .•!»■■ - ■/■* wiil ,-w ■Ti ' . •! • ••.. ■..! f
.>ii';> ;ififf >■))•..': i\'i>- •■ •■■^i: /"{, : ■';•■■(• •Jiiii .vi
v>iit: Li.'i; l:Mi- K'.il- "! ■'■ ' :" IJ-.:'' •':''/••:. I • i; 'Vti-

.;.iJT)voi.nM.ni,7CHAFrEli XXXI. I '-.I' i'^' '■

'rit!'! >>*• t ii«: -,in) ;^^ HI t^ ).' M!-' i'^W J'.'i- .-'II •■) • !<•; r.>'., ("•

,',,., • .- ii-Ji.'-,

" oil I what was love made for, if 'tis not the same
' '" ' Thro' joy and thro' tortneuts, tluo' glory and sliamc ?"■- .U.:i.f-f,

.'iti;' '.'I 1 '!' lit' '

i J , 1 1 1 ti , 1

I J !,• 1 -I I l.Ji

' . ' T 1 s t *■. I I ) lit

\\<J\

The sitting room of tlie attaclied party in tlie Hotel
Dieu commanded from the windows a prospect of softer
beauty than any they had seen elsewhere in Canada:
winding streams, effulgent with waves of snow, added
brightness to the lucid atmosphere and spaililed in the
sun ; between thom and around them stretched woods
perpetually green, with meadows' and pleasure-grounds,
the verdure of which could hardly be more lovely than
their frosty coverings ; and evcrywliere, the presence of
churches, farms, cottages, and villns, gave animation to
nature, and cheered the eyo and heart as signs of a
prosperous and relined populatlbn.

Clinton and his betrothed were surveying this view
and making remarks to each other upon its beauty, when
they saw an elegant carriole stop in front of the hotel,
and a lady put her head out of the window to giVe i
card and some directions to her sOrvant, who forthwith
entered the house. ' '"'"'

" That is Mrs. Marldinm !" cried Ladv Hester, in a

TtlU CANADMN GIRL;

55.5

lively tone of pleasure, rising from her seaA apd raovinju;
towiird the door to meet her. Ur Ui n. i.-i liv. /(r/il •% rt
m" I tliought I knew the face— though nt Hrst I could
not exactly say to whom it belonged," said Clinton,
following her to the door to receive the card of the
lady of tho Lieutenant-governor which was brought up

to them. • /r.ti i| li^ r. i;)irjT»(l?)i- "DTi? Ui Vtu,':-;' lil.Mi

Lady Hester went down to the foot of the stairs be-
longing to her rooms to receive Mrs. Markham, and
they met with the most cordial affection. •;

" Mr. Clinton," said the good lady, stretching out
her hand to him frankly as soon as she was inside the
sitting room, " I am glad to see you looking so much
better in Iiealth and spirits than when I saw you last
on Toronto cliffs. Did I not tell you theh that it was
foolish to despair, for you could not tell what good things
were in store for you '2" , .

" My dear madam, I am delighted to see you here !"
exclaimed Clinton, meeting her with a look and action
expressive of tho warmest respect. " His Excellency
is Ws ll I hopo ?" .V }h. '- t'fl h^ I M'Mf

" Oh, yes; only a little out of humour with the fends
between the English and the French in this discordant
country — I believe he apprehends that it will come to
an armed struggle yet. If it should, I hope I and Lady
Hester will be far put of reach of the sound of their
rifle-shots and cannonading," and she shuddered, ■un'rt

"•I hope so too, niy dear Mrs. Markham!" s.aid
Lady Hester; " and yet T know thtit I shall not be out
of America, for in it I have pitched ray tent for all the
rest of my days ;'' so saying, a little tinge of deeper
. ilmsun made itself ap})arent on her cheek. „.y,

lit >iii

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

|l i

'* Well, give me a seat,'* said Mrs. Markham, losinfjf
her lively air so suddenly that Clinton fancied it had
been assumed to hide Bome uneasiness that was lurking
beneath. ** Now sit down both of you by me, and tell
me as quickly as ypu can all that has befallen you both
since I saw you last ; and in return I will give you a
little history of some occurrences that have taken place
since you parted with the Earl and Letitia."

" Ah, then, you have seen them !" exclaimed Lady
Hester. " They have been in Toronto ?"

" They are there now, and — "

** They have told you all concerning us."

** Letitia has, my dear ; and I regret to be the bearer
of bad news to you." ...

" The Earl refuses to listen to her and your kind in-
tercession for me, and will cast me off— that is what
you would say."

" Partly, my dear young friend, but not all. My time
just now is limited — I have an appointment elsewhere
at three o'clock, and it scarcely wants a quarter." She
looked at her watch.

" Mrs. Markham, this is hardly kind," observtd
Lady Hester, reproachfully — " a quarter of an nour
only for a first visit io an old friend !"

" I cannot help it indeed, my dear — I will make re-
paration for this fault another time. To-morrow I wiR.
come and take luncheon with you, and you shall noc oe
rid of me for four or five hours. There now, say no
more about it — I have something very important to
communicate to you both in this quarter of an hour;
and as a prelude I must ask a very necessary Oir. imper-
tinent question — when do you intend to be married?"

THE CA^ADIAN OIBti.

557

She looked to Clinton for the reply, whom a sudden
thrill of ecstasy almost deprived of breath. He answered
with a little graceful embarrassment —

** As soon as the Earl's consent shall have been ob-
tained— 'we wait, I believe, for that alone."

" And do you dream of obtaining it ?*' asked the
good lady, surprise slightly marking her tone.

" Why yes we do," answered Clinton, employing an
accent in which pride and indignation were evidently
mingled. " His Lordship still thinks high descent the
grand requisite for Lady Hester's happiness in a hus-
band : he has not learned wisdom from her past wrongs.
He would be as willing now as ever he was to sacrifice
her to a Colonel Cleveland. '. •' ♦

'* If this be so, your chances are but slight I should
be led to fear." • . ...

" Not so, Madam ; I derive from these views of his
Lordship the most confident hopes."

" How so, pray 1" inquired Mrs. Markham with in-
creased surprise.

" I can boast. Madam, of a descent equal to that oi
his Lordship himself— if not superior."

« You !"

*' Mrs. Markham, is it possible that you, iivmg m
Canada, have not heard of the new Marquis of Rouge-
mont ?" asked Lady Hester.

" Rougemont — Rougomont," repeated the Lieute-
nant-governor's lady, considering, with her finger raised
to her eyebrow, " that is one of the largest seigniories
on the shores of the St. Lawrence — and an ancient mar-
quisate too."

" It 's," said Clinton ; *' and as I am the heir appa-

'-.>il

558

TItB CANADfAN QIRL.

rent to that marqaisate, the Barl'of Wil^ttti-' l' srhduld
imagine, will not interpose ahy further objectioris' tb my

suit." .,.-.:.::■-■• ■ . .^i'-

" What wonder next !" excl4ittifecl ' Mrs. Markh'am,
lifting up her hands — " this is the strangest world !
How has it all come about ? Tell me as briefly as
you can."

" My father was born in a convent, and afterwards
educated by the Marquis of Rongemont, who> subse-
quently to his adopted heir having left him for a sea
life, made the discovery that he was his son. The
aged Marquis died in a snow drift a short time .ago,
and left a will apjiointing Nicliolas Anderson sole heir
to the title and estates. jMy father took possession of
his right, and I have the happiness to invite you to his
seat as our wedding guest after we shall have seen the
Earl, and performed our errand in this town relating to
the marriage settlements." 'hjiifro t;'< vi -m: .;:.-. It. I
. Mrs. Markham congratulated him sincerely on his
change of fortunes, and then said — .•;-■ ij ni'. I--,-.. >■! j

" But another question no less impertinent than my
former one remains behind. — Mr. Clinton, has vour
father renounced his former disgraceful associates ? —
you will forgive the bluntness of my expressions."

" He has — positively, entirely, and for ever,'* ans.-^
wered Clinton, laying a stress on each word.

" I am glad to hear it," said Mrs. Markliani, ri.sing
to go, and inwardly determining to keep back the ovtl'
tidings she came to impart until she had had a priViity'
conversation with the Earl.

" But you said, my dear Madam, that you had soma
had nows for us," remarked Lady Hester, aa Mis.

I 1

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

559

Markhuni drew from her mufT a note and handed to
her. ■ ■•» !'>?''■■'<>•! - •il r i .1 tri'i . i >•,.,} •\tji.]i;>f

*' True, I did ; but what I have now heard may alter
the complexion of affairs ; and at any rate I shall not
say any thing about it until to-morrow.'* w ! ' It

" And you will leave us all in suspense ?" remon-
strated Lady Hester. i ■; " f'-:' = .^ < ■-■ .• ' lU "

" In suspense. Hark, the cathedral bell is striking.
I cannot stay another moment. Trust me, my young
friends," she added, taking a hand of each, " 1 am
most anxious for your good, and should you find that
to be seriously threatened, depend on my influence
being exerted for vou."

"You alarm me, dear Mrs. Markham I" exclaimed
Lady Hester, after regarding her attentively and in si-
lence for a iew seconds: " I beseech you tell me wliat
we have to fear."

" No, no, my love, do not press me. I would not
pain you prematurely for the world. Perhaps I may
be able, in some measure, to avert the misfortune."
' ' " What misfortune, Madam? Positively you must
not CO until I know!" "t •:•■> ...5'i -h.. ; . ,.;.,(,

• *' Are vou firm enough to bear if?" • .! '. mi'/t:
' Lady Hester turned pale, and Clinton observed her
tremble slightly, but she answered in a steady voice —
■ *' You have known me endure great trials with firm-
ness, Mrs. Markham ; I am not given to indulge in
weakness." '>.,.■ «i!i! i,,i i.s m.-iui ; /a/ii- /j.i U's^ "
' " Then this is all — the Earl has ^iven the Governor
some peculiar information whereby he has been stirred
up again to seek the capturr of your father, Mr. Clin-
ton, and the Governor is at present in Quebec with the

560

THB CANADIAN OIRU

]

intention of taking the deposition of Captain iiatrv »
widow ; the prosecution is to be grounded on some pa-
per of Mr. Clinton's own writing."

Clinton's soul sank within him at the mention ot
thit paper which he had given to Arthur soon alter
Lucy's death.

" My father," said he, " risked his life to preserve
the Earl and his daus[hters from drowning: on Liiko
Erie — [should hardly have expected such a return from
his Lordship."

" Letitia grieves sadly about it," said Mrs. Mark-
ham ; " but 1 do feel assured that the Earl would have
acted better had he not been misled by blind anger.
We must make some excuses for him."

" You may make excuses for him, Mrs. Markham,"
said Lady Hester, in a tone of calm and cutting indig-
nation, which the good lady wished the Earl could have
seen, " but / make none. Once he wrecked iny peace,
betrayed my trust in his paternal guidance, and married
me (o a man I could not love ! And now, because I
would give my hand to one whom I have always held
dear — the only one who can make me happy (I am not
ashamed to say it) — he is so enraged that he descends
to the worst ingratitude, the most despicable cruelty, to
prevent my wishes! Is this like a father? Will he
have me always wretched that he may maintain the
oride of his family 1"

" But, my dear, I mean to let him know directly the
])resent rank of the Pirate and Mr. Clinton, and then
he may change in his temper toward ;you, ana tne Go-
vcrpor may be persuaded by him to relinquisn the pur-

«tlt." r

THB CANADIAN QIRL.

561

" I charge you, as you value me, my dearest Madam,
let him not know it!" said Lady Hester. *' I will
marry Mr. Clinton and then he shall be informed of it
from my own lips. He shall see his own littleness of
mind set nakedly before him, and taste the bitterness
of its fruits. Clinton, you hear me tell you before my
friend that I am yours as soon as you will. Vv'e will
not wait until you have seen the Earl. His purpose in
this shameful transaction must be foiled at once !"

Clinton was buried in thought — he saw completely
through the Earl's motives.

" And civn you, Hester," said he, with passion in his
gestures, " unite yourself with the son of a public cri-
minal? Think — consider! Will you not afterwards
repent ? Reflect that you will no longer be able to
enter into society of any kind upon your present footing;
— all my inheritance may be confiscated to the state — V
may become what I have been, a poor, degraded man !
Do not deceive yourself or me, Hester, with erroneous
ideas of your capabilities for devfting yourself to me —
you may now draw back without incurring one re-
proach from me. I will give up to you all your pro-
mises — I will free you from every tie by which you have
voluntarily linked yourself to me — I will pledge my
sacved word to see you no more — you may put yourself
under the protection of Mrs. Markham from this moment,
and marry some man whom the vvorKl and your father
can approve.

" Clinton," returned Lady Hester, with unwonted
enthusiasm, " though you should be brought by this
act of my father to beggary and to perpetual infamy —
though your name incurscorn and detestation everywheie

Ac. ' ■ ■'■- •

,002

THK CANADIAN OlRL.

— that beggary and that shame I will partake in, and
that name shall be mine!"

So saying, disregarding the presence of Mrs. Mark-
ham, she sank on his neck, and he strained her fondly
to his heart. The good lady wiped her eyes, and the
Pirate entered the apartment.

He slopped short when he had shut the door, and
bowed profoundly to the visitor, who surveyed him wiili
mucli (Muiosity, knowing well by his remarkable ap-
pearance, which had frequently been described in her
hearing, who lie was.

" Father," said Clinton, " this is the lady of the
Lieutenant-governor, Mrs. Markham, Lady Hester's
esteemed friend. Mrs. Markham, you see the Marquis of
Rougemont, formerly," he added, in an excited manner
— " the Pirate of the Lakes."

Mrs. Markham and the Pirate were almost equally
confused and startled by this abrupt and unexpected
introduction. The latter quickly recovered himself,
and bending a look of keen inquiry on his son received
from him in return a meaning glance which told him of
his danger.

" Marquis," said Mrs. Markham, " do not be afraid
of me, I wish to serve you and your son for the sake of
Lady Cleveland, whom I regard as if she were my own
daughter. I have now come to tell them of that which
threatens you, and I hope there is quite time for yoy
to get out of the way of those whom you have reason to
dread, while I endeavour to reconcile the Earl and Lady
Cleveland, and to divert the Governor from his present
schemes for your capture." '

" Lady," said the Pirate, in a calm tono ol proud

-.ijM

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

563

sorrow, " I fear nothing for mi/self. I know that my
liberty, my property, and my life, are jjstly forfeit to
the laws I have violated — laws which 1 should now think
myself too happy in spending my blood to maintain.
This I feel hourly, momently. But it is for i/tesCy and
for ray daughter, I fear and suffer. You see me un-
manned, Mrs. Markham, while I think of them. My
soul loses every jot of its strength, and I am weak as a
new born child."

He paused evidently agitated, and labouring under
much depression.

" I have not enjoyed one hour of ease of mind since
I obtained my inheritance," he resumed. " This hour
Ijas been constantly anticipated ; night and day, waking
or sleeping, alone or in company, the shadow of a
fuming retrit)ution for my past vices has lain thick upon
me. My children, lady, my children !" he cried with a
wildness that pierced the hearts of his grieved listeners ;
" when the hangman has done his work upon me what
will become of them ? They will curse my memory ! —
they must do so I — I shall have withered their happiness !
This noble lady here will cast off my son — that will be
her duty ! The intended husband of my daughter will
not fulfil his engagements with her — I cannot expect it!
And both will be degraded, miserable, desolate beings !"

" Father ! — father ! what are you saying '!" exclaimed
Jane, coming hastily from a door that communicated
witii another part of the hotel, and raising his hand
fondly to her lips.

Mr. Lee had followed her closely, and with her luul
heard the Pirate's gloomy words. As soon as lie and
Jane had been introduced to Mrs. Markham, and luul

fx-'

I
11

M d\

564

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

received a definite account from her of the cause of the
excitement apparent on the countenances of each pre-
sent, he turned to the Pirate and said —

" My dear sir, I was quite aware of the hazards which
surrounded the father of Jane when I chose her for mv

ft'

wife, and you do me great wrong if you doul>t my fide-
lity to jier under every possible circumstance."

" And I," said Lady Hester, kindling into a noble
ardour as she proceeded, " why should I he suspected
of want of steadfastness in my attachment to your son,
Marquis 1 I am not made like some women to yield as
wax- to every impression. If I once form a friendship,
I form it for ever ! Clinton has told me to consider
what I may have to sacrifice for him — but I tell him
and you to consider what I have already sacrificed for
him. I lately left my native land, where the highest
circles courted my society — I came here uncheered by
one approving voice, trusting entirely to the honour of
the man T loved — I endured the rej)roach( s of a father
— I allowed a dear sister to be alienated from me ! And
T did all this (and who can toll llie secret torture it
cost me!) while I supposed Clinton the penniless son
— not of the Marquis of Rougemont — but ofthePnate!
Remember thatMarquis! — remember that, Clinton !"

" I do," said Clinton ; " and it would be a bad re-
turn for your high-mindedness were we seriously to
doubt that, even should the worst happen, you would
continue your favour towards me."

" To put this beyond doubt," said Lady Hester, ad-
dressing Arthur, " I have dared to overstep the limits
prescribed to my sex, and have proposed — an immediate
marriage." She slightly paused with a lovely modestj

THE CANADIAN OlltL.

e\i i\

JC.'j

re-

before pronouncing the three concluding wuids, but
then spoke them distinctly.

" And I give my voice for it," said Arthur, with
animation. " There has already been too much delay.
We had better set out to-morrow for the lodge, and the
double ceremony can be performed on the following
afternoon."

" Well, while you are settling these weighty matters
I must go and see what I can do for you," said Mrs.
Markham, now moving to the door in earnest, her watch
having informed her that she had stayed half an hour
beyond her allotted time, " But do not forget, good
folks, that I shall be here to luncheon at twelve to-mor-
row, that I do not intend to go ov^ay for four or five
hours, and that I want no stranger present. Mr. Lee
looks rather blanks as if he thought 1 should prevent
your meditated journey — but he must know that I put
my negative upon that as soon as he proposed it — there
must be no journeys planned, much les^ begun, before
1 bring you all more news."

" But, Madam," asked the Pirate, " will it not be
advisable for me to quit this town at once ?" . . \»

" 1 do not know," said Mrs. Markham, reflecting.
" It may be, and it may not be, advisable. No — you
had better not. Only keep within your hotel, and see
no company. T'ust to roe for watching the movements
of those who seek you, and for advising you how to act.
Adieu, my dear Hester! — adieu, young lady — adien,
gentlemen — at twelve to-morrow expect me again."

(!l

•161

>■ i . ' .1,, 'I

566

THB CANADIAN Glftk

■*=-'H"

CHAPTER XXXII.

" The affairi cry — haste 1
And apeed must answer; you must hence io-xdght"--Shaktpeare.

t ifii

The note Mrs. Markham had given to Lady Hester
was from Letitia ; it was as full of affectionate sentences
as note could possibly be ; written small and close
on four sides ; crossed regularly once, and down two
whole pages twice ; concluding with a regret that there
was not time to say a thousand things more which re-
mained to be said. The love of her youthful sister was
very precious to Lady Hester. So, while she smiled at
the ardour and profusion of Letitia's sentiments, she
treasured them up in her heart.

The evening of this anxious day came ; the blinds
and curtains were drawn ; the friends gathered about
' the ilro, conversing only occasionally, and then with few
words, and in low, agitated voices. ' 'ur

" It will never do for us to suffer our spirits to sin It
in this manner," said Clinton, all at once rallying him-
self out of his depression, and trying to speak in a
cheerful manner, in order to enliven the rest.

" No, indeed," responded Lady Hester, breaking

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

567

from a reverie, and seconding his intent by an instan-
taneous effort to smile and look hopeful; " the evils of
to-morrow will be sufficient for the day; it is folly to
anticipate them as we are doing. I depend very much
upon my friend's interest for you, Marquis," she added.
" I cannot buttln'nk Mrs. Markham will contrive to de-
tor his Excellency from following up the pursuit."

The Pirate looked as though he had no very great
confidence in the success of the good lady's intervention ;
he shook his head, and as he raised his eye from a paper
of memoranda that lay on a table by him, and whicli lie
had heen penning at intervals, there appeared in it a
deep and settled foreboding harrowing to his children's
hearts.

" I tell you the truth," said he, " my only hope is
in flight. I could wished to have been present orj yoni
marriage day, but must submit to the counter necessity.
I make it my request that you will not delay the core-
monies one hour on my account.*'

" Suppose we obtain licenses this evening, aiul lit
the affair be concluded to-morrow morning before y(ju
quilus," suggested Mr. Leo. ''^■' ; ■"« vJ^: "'H'i

" If the ladies will permit I shall be glad of that ar-
rangement," returned the Pirate. " Jane, my dear, you
will make no objectiun, will yovi, under (he circum-
stances ?" ' ' ' ■ <M-.--,T. ry. •.

" I don't know — this is so very sudden — T hardly think
I can make up my mind to it," faltered Jane, timid and
abashed. " But, my dear father, for your sake, I would
do any thing," she added, smiling through the bright
tears which trembled on her eyelashes.

" And what says Lady Hester?" inquired the Pirate.

<v.\

THE CANADTAN CTRL.

Tli«* lovely pf^press wns inrlinrd to hesitate like Jane,
liiit <;liakincr off the weakness, siio roplied —

" She says, my dear sir, that whatever you think
he'jt.iii the present exigency will meet with her entire
'Concurrence."

iMr. Lee and Mr. Clinton did not fail to thank the
ynnnii; ladies for their generous concession with ardent
tciilerness, and immediately after the Pirate, rising and
ringinfT for his servant, proposed that he himself should
procure the licenses, an offer that mot with no opposition
vvliMtever either from his son orliis intended son-in-law,
wlio. when the servant had hroiiiriit his mnster's fur
cloak, cap, and gloves, and had quitted the hotel in at-
tendance unon him, were left alone with their beloved
i'rides. . . ;. ,,..... : ,. . :;

" What shall we say to the Pastor?" asked Jane,
Ijjushingly. " You know yre promised that no other
clergyman should read the service."

" He will he easily pacified when he knows what has
'ccurred?" rejoined Arthur. " I shall write to him im-
inodiately after we are united."

'• The Marquis stays long," observed Lady Hester,
as eleven o'clock struck. The table had been spread
for supper some time — the two candles wanted snuffing
— the fire lacked a new supply of coals. But the four
were so engrossed with hioh-wrought feelings of plea-
sure and piin, hope and fear, kindled by their own
blissful prospects on the one hand, and the Pirate's
critical position on the other, that they could not give
a thought to any thing else.

" He has been gone nearlj four hours," rcvspondcd
Clinton, in a tone <d" uneasiness, *' and the cii'igyman's

Ml'

THH CANADIAN GIRL.

569

kouse is not distant from here more than ten minutes
walk."

Each shrank from giving explicit utterance to the
apprehension that he had fallen into the hands of the
Governor's emissaries, though each was conscious of
entertaining it.

Clinton held his watch in his hand, listening to its
slow tickings, while another quarter of an hour fleeted
hy.

*' I can bear this no longer," said he, starting up ;
*' I must go and look for him. If he had sent Roberts
back 1 should not have been so surprised."

Lady Hester assisted Clinton to put on his great coat,
atid then stood at the door listening to his retirintr foot-
stops ; slie now turned to one of the windows, and,
di\ wing back the slides, looked out after him as he
passed down a dimly-lighted street opposite to the
hotel.

The great cachedral bell chimed half-past eleven
while she kept on her watch ; only an occasional passer
by without had met her anxious glance; but now at
length the figure of lier beloved one returned again into
view — alotie. Her troubled exclamation brought Jane
and Arthur to her side in a moment, as Clinton, crossing
from the opposite pavement to the hotel, looked up, and,
seeing them, shook his head hastily — a token of mis-
fortune.

Jn another minute he threw open the door of the
room, and shutting it close behind him walked straight
io the fire without speaking.

" Where is the Marquis?" was the simultaneous lu-
quiry of Jane, Arthur, and Lady Hester.

4 D

1 -I

570

THE CANADIAN GIRU

( ■•

11*

'ill 'hii

" I do not know,'' answered Clinton, leaning Ws
elbow on the mantel-shelf and shading his face. i

" You have been to the clergyman's house ?'*

" Yes ; and the licenses had been purchased of him
three hours ago, and he saw my father and Roberts
turn hitherward when they left his door."

'< He has met with some acquaintance who has de-
tained him," suggested Mr. Lee.

" It is hardly likely he would allow himself to be de-
tained while upon such an errand," argued Clinton.

" It is a very strange circumstance," remarked L?-ly
Hester, and the others acquiesced. The candles had
burnt low in their sockets and were replaced by whole
ones ; the fire was replenished ; the supper was sent
away ; and another tedious hour sped its course — still
the Pirate was absent.

A quarter to one chimed the church clocks of Mon-
treal. The busy house of public accommodation was at
rest ; the multifarious business of the day had been all
discharged ; and servants and employers, guests, hosts,
and attendants, were each and all retired to seek in sweet
oblivious slumber that refreshment for nature's wearied
powers which is one of the choicest boons granted to
mankind. All was still — profoundly still — only in this
room were there any signs of the tumultuous existence
of humanity. Here sat the two young couples, on the
eve, as they thought, of their union for life ; sometimes,
as a footstep sounded on the pavement outside, starting
up to look into the street through the window-panes,
which the frost of midnight was fast spreading with a
thick white crust impenetrable to vision, and decorating
with droopinor icicles ; then rctrrning disuppoiutea to

HE CANADIAN OIRL.

571

their seats to catch from each other again the swift con-
tagion of hope or alarm for the Pirate's safety, alter-
nately yielding to each, while exchanging conjectures,
some wild and improbable enough, as to the cause of
his unaccountable stay.

But now it became too certain that he had fallen
'nto some evil, for the night was already expired, yet he
vas absent, and his servant too.

" My beloved Hester — my dear sister — you had bet-
ter retire to bed, if only for a short period," urged
Clinton. " Mr. Lee and I will then go out and en-
deavour to procure some intelligence of him."

" I cannot sleep until 1 know where my father is !"
ejaculated Jane.

" Clinton counsels well," said Lady Hester, pitying
the agony of suspense with which his sister was racked.
" Come, Jane, I will take you to my room, and if you
cannot sleep, at least lie down, and try to quiet your
perturbed spirit."

" I would rather remain here until I know what ha
happened," murmured Jane, as the hour of four sounded
dismally on her ear. " O heaven ! where — where is
he!" she exclaimed, clasping her hands together.

" We must be patient, my dearest Jane," reasoned
Arthur, supporting her tenderly. " The Lord will noi
lay upon us more affliction than he sees to be neces-
sary."

Clinton quoted from one of the old English dramatists
for her encouragement, a passage laudatory of fortitude
in times of great trial, and forcing smiles, which his
heart was far from prompting, kindly compelled her to
retire with Lady Hester.

' i

0/2

THE CANADIAN GTRT*

!,-"

( ; ;

Mr. Lee and himself then resolved to wait in the hotel
until the morning should be a little more advanced,
which they did, and then proceeded together to visit
every place in the town where the Pirate was at all
known, to make inquiries after hira.

At nine o'clock they returned without having met
with the remotest intelligence of the object of their
search, and the dreadful thought glanced across the
mind of Clinton that he had destroyed himself. Upon
communicating this idea to Mr. Lee the latter strength-
ened it by the declaration that for several hours he had
entertained a like suspicion. However, these suspicions
were happily groundless ; as they entered the sitting
room, Jane started forward to meet them with a small
piece of paper in her hand, which she gave to her bro-
ther with a look of breathless excitement, and he read
these hurried words in the Pirate's handwritinor : —

" I was met last night by Toby and Merry, who had
come on foot from Rougemont to tell me officers had
searched my mansion by warrant, and were there waiting
to take me prisoner. The honest fellows advised me
not to lose a moment's time, but to leave the town at
once, as the hotel would be watched immediately. I
have taken their advice, and to be the more safe, have
determined to keep Roberts with me. I do not dare to
tell you here whither I am gone, lest this paper should
chance to fall into adverse hands. Do not let Jane bo
too fearful about me. Keep up one another's hearts,
and hope that all will end as we wish it. Enclosed you
have the licenses. Let the marriages bo performed as
we settled, and accept a father's heartiest wishes foi
your happiness."

I'li

THE CANADIAN CinL.

5T3

*• Then the mystery is at an end," ejaculated Clinton,
much relieved.

*' And he has got out of the way of his enemies,"
joyfully remarked Jane.

" For the 'present^'* hinted Lady Hester, with less
evident pleasure than they evinced. " I think it would
have been better if the Marquis had been guided entirely
by Mrs. Markham. Had there been any immediate
danger here she would certainly have apprised him of
it yr-sterday."

The others thought differently, and believed it was
almost certain that the Pirate would now, having re-
ceived such timely information of the movements of the
Governor and his people, hide himself effectually until
the fury of the dreaded storm should have subsided.

*' But now to make use of Mese," said Clinton, archly,
holding up the licenses.

" Oh, no ! we shall have nothing to say to them now,"
cried both the ladies at one time.

" Indeed but you must," pleaded the gentlemen.

. " Indeed, but wa will not," persisted the ladies.]

" We cannot think of allowing you to revoke youv
consent," pressed Arthur.

" Faint heart never won fair lady," laughed Clinton.

" Faint heart or strong," retorted Lady Hester,
" you will not win us without — "

" No conditions — no conditions," repeated the de-
termined suitors.

" The Pastor must be our clergyman, and the Mar-
quis must enact the }> roper part of a father for us a'
the altar, as was first intended," said Lady Hester
Do not think we are to be persuaded out of this."

( ^

> I' A

574

THK CANADIAN OIRL.

Tho p!easant controversy had not terminated when,
just an hour before her appointed time, Mrs. Markham
presented herself. Her kindly countenance looked
troubled, and she anxiously asked —

" Where is the Marquis ?"

A few words sufficed to relate his disappearance and
to produce his note.

" Did I not bid him stay within the hotel ?" demanded
Mrs. Markham, with vexation and uneasiness in her
gestures. " What had he to do with fetching your li-
censes ? I am angry with you all. You have not acted
by my instructions, and my schemes for serving you are
defeated."

" I hope not ! Oh, 1 hope not !" exclaimed Jane.

" I was afraid of it !" sighed Lady Hester.

" I told the Marquis distinctly not to quit Montreal,**
resumed Mrs. Markham. " If he had abided by my
instructions he might have been preserved. Now it is
doubtful — very doubtful. The Governor has been more
prompt than I expected, and it will be very difficult for
the object of his keen pursuit to escape him. But come,
you must find some safer lodging than this hotel, for
n a few hours it will be searched, and you will all be
put under arrest as havmg been intimate with the Pi-
rate. 1 will show you a place where you will be free
from notice, and where the Marquis — foolish, foolish
man that he is in having deviated from my directions —
might have lived safely during the heat of the chase.

Lady Hester promptly sent her maid to the proprietor
of the hotel for her bill, and discharged it forthwith.
Clinton did the same on the part of his father, his sister,
himself, and Mr. Lee, and the party left the hotel with

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

575

Mrs. Markliam, their luggage fastened on lier carriole,
and Jane and Lady Hester riding with her inside; Ar^
thur and Clinton followed in a small public carriage,
and Lady Hester's waiting woman occupied a seat be-
hind the former v'ehicle.

They soon quitted the public thoroughfares for the
less frequented and meaner parts of the town. Turning
down a confined street near the water's edge, principally
inhabited by fishermen, sailors, and storekeepers (as
dealers in all descriptions of saleable articles are desig-
nated in America), Mrs. Markham's driver pulled up
his horses in front of a dingy but substantial looking
house of the latter class. A young married woman stood
at the door to receive the visitors, whom she was prepared
to expect, habited in her best French head-dress, jacket,
and petticoat, and displaying as many gay-coloured
ribbons as would have sufficed to set out a haberdasher''s
window, besides having in her ears large round rings,
made conspicuous by gaudy-coloured stones.

'' in

'if;:
'(■'

iJt

n s *

ii ' J.

576

THB CANADIAN GIRL

CHAPTER XXXIII.

•* In vain — in vain — he speeds his flight I
Through the dark shades of deepest night ;
In vain he skims the icy wave !
From shame and death himself to save 1"

With thehabitnal vivacity and politeness of a French-
woman she curtsied to each of her guests, and ushered
them with smiles through her husband's crowded ware-
house to a dark but well furnished parlour, warmed bj
stoves, and ornamented for their reception with flowers
reared in the house during the wintry season.

" Madame Germain," said Mrs. Markham, " these
are my friends of whom I spoke to you last evening.
You will accommodate them as well as your means will
allow, and keep their residence here a profound secret."

" To be sure I will, lady," acquiesced the obliging
dame. " Not even ray own priest, who has the little
church at the bottom of this street, shall know any thing
of their staying here. The good lady, your sister, who
was so kind as to recommend me to you, knows that I
am worthy to be trusted ; and as to accommodations,
the ladies and gentlemen may have at their service three
or four chambers, and another sitting-room besides this.
Will it please you to see the rooms, ladies V* ..

TME CANADIAN OIRL.

577

*' No I hunk you." .inswered Ladv Hester, ** 1 dare
«iv tlioy Nvill do very wel!."

*' And I have sent for a cousin of mine, a good girl-
she was seventeen last December — to wait upon you,
ladies. And my mother is a very clever cook," observed
Madame Germain,, " and will be happy to dress you
any thini^ for your table. She learned the art of cookery,
gentlemen, from M. Heraud. You have beard of him
I dare say. He furnishes the best public table in Mon-
treal; all the gentlemen of the nobility are entertained
at it. Quite a wonder among cooks is M. Heraud, I
assure you, ladies and gentlemen — and he was born in
Paris itself!" .-'"-••'' • '» ' - i ' /-^v. ..,-^ *

This was the climax of M. Heraud's superiority in
the opinion of Madame Germain.^ and she did not doubt
that she had fully impressed her guests with her mo-
ther's proficiency in the important science alluded to,
when she informed them that M. Heraud had been her
mother's instructor, and that M. Heraud had been born
in Paris ! ... •

" Well, let your mother furnish a luncheon for us im-
mediately," said Mrs. Markham, " and prepare dinner
by five in the afternoon." '

« Will you have—"

" Whatever vour mother chooses to select we will
have," interrupted Mrs. Markham ; and Madame Ger-
main, instructed by her manner, without saying more,
curtsied and withdrew to convey to her mother in the
kitclien the important commission wherewith she was
charcjed,

" Now I trust," urged Mrs. Markham, turning to
the two couples, " that I shall find you four strictly

4 E

.17 ^

Tin: CANADIAN tilRL.

obedient to my instructions — if you are not I uannot
imagine what the consequences will be.'*

*' Indeeil you shall,'* responded each.

" Then mark my first command," continued the good
lady, peremptorily: " you must keep within this house
until I give you leave to go out of it. Mr. Lee-— Mr.
Clinton — have I your promises to do this ? Until I
have I will not take one step farther to save the Marquis
from his impending fate."

" 1 pledge you my honour to bo guided entirely by
voii,'' fjaculalt'd Clinton,

" And 1," responded Mr. Lee.

" Enlirely?'''' repeated Mrs. Markham, firmly.

" Yes — to this wo pledge ourselves."

" I take your joint vords. Tlie young ladies I can
trust upon the faith of their willing looks," said Mrs.
Markham, smiling amid her seriousness. " I shall be-
slow III \ self upon you until the evening," she added,
" and I insist that you do not entertain me w'th these
doleful faces all day."

Meanwhile the Pirate, with his personal attendant,
Roberts, and his trusty though humble friends. Haver-
straw and Men V, had sailed in a fishing vessel for an
island distant from Montreal about fifty miles. But
hardly had the morning dawned upon them in their
progress, before it became too apparent that they were
pursued. Terror seized the titled fugitive upon making
this painful discovery. His eyes moved wildly in thejr
sockets as he surveyed the nimble cruiser which was
bearinu down upon th(>m at a flying pace, assisted by
a favourable wind which swelled their crowded sails.

^'Toby! — to the helm! to the helm!" gasped he;

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

579

and the olil mariner instantly undertook the steering of
tlie vessel, while the fishermen, assisted by the re dy
black, made every preparation for a vigorous flight. ' *
" We had better keep the open stream, hadn't we,
Captain ?" asked Haverstraw.

" By all means," answered the Pirate. ""■'

'' It will be unpossible for us to reach the island by
daylight," observed the old man.

"Quite," was the Pirate's pithy response. '*

" Oh, Massa Ciiptin ! — ice a-comin' ! Look out?-^
look out ! — ice a-comin' I" shouted Merry, stretching
out both Ills arms to point up the river, distending his
eyes in affritjht, and stamping on the deck planks first
with one foot then with the other.

The Pirate saw indeed an enemy driving down toward
him in front no less to be feared than that behind — icCf
in great masses, nearly filling up the breadth of the
channel, forced along rapidly by the powerful action of
the narrow current, presented a truly alarming spec-

" Tack about, Toby," commanded the Pirate, " to
the right ! Be wary, or we are lost," he muttered.

The cruiser in chase now dfew in some of her sails,
and presently made a dead stop, perceiving no way by
which the threatening ice might be avoided

For a fortniijht naviu;ation had been almost wliollv
siisponded on the St. Lawrence ; in the upper n.irts of
the river on aceoimt of its beiii^ coinpletely frozen
over, and in the lower parts on h( (xxiiit of i(s frequent
liability to interruptions such as the present. Only a
few scattered canoes, therefore, were now seen Hoatiiig
on the cold blue tide. These made no attempts to ei-

i«

;'!

Ill

5S0

THE CANADIAN OIUL.

oape from the approaching ice piles, but, on tlie con-
trary, siiuultaneously made toward them with, as a
stranger vvould have erroneously judged, nothing short
of fool-hardiness and presumption. A remarkable sce\ie
now took place. Tlie occupants of the canoes standing
upright with ropes and boat-hooks in their hands,
managed, with infinite dexterity, to leap upon the blocks
of ice as they came close to them, and then to draw up
their frail barks on the same level. Thus the moving
mass rushed down the river with its living freight, who,
exchanging animated cries, stood prepared to launch
agram at the first fittin" moment.

The cruiser, like the fishing vessel, was retreating
fast toward a wider part of the channel, where the pilot
on board hoped to be able to clear the ship from the
p*,'" of the ice. Confusion and terror prevailed on the
crowded deck. None but the pilot retained the self-
possession required for the emergency. He, like the
Pirate in the other conveyance, was the presiding genius
to whom all the terrified men embarked with him looked
for deliverance. Under the guidance of these two the
vessels performed some complicated and masterly ma-
noeuvres, and several of the largest ice blocks, castles
in magnitude, soon floated beyond them, while they
had not a timber shaken. Uproarious shouts of rejoicing
from the sailors proclaimed the passing of each formid-
able block. The whole was soon felt as an exciting
sport, rendereil more keen by its extreme hazard. The
fugitive vessel and its pursuer came nearer to each
ctbe*-, as a host of smaller pieces of ice, no less dangerous
than their forerunners* besprinkled the river in every
direction, appearing like a thousand barren islets covered

Till? CANADIAN GIRL.

581

v/itli snow. Among thcso the larger ship wound its
devious course, while renewing the chase that had been
for some time susj)ended. The fishing vessel kept at
an equal distance from her, but would not quit the
neighbourhood of the ice, where her opponent, being
more than double her size, was more impeded than
herself in its movements. The pilot on the cruiser soon
began to understand this policy on the part of the object
of its pursuit, and prepared to counteract it.

" Toby, we have a thorough sailor to deal with," said
the Pirate, suddenly addressing the old sailor, who was
steering according to his directions.

" Aye, aye, Captain, he's none of your fresh-water
chaps," assented Toby. " I'd bettwenty guineas, good
old English coin, that the man who's working yon
vessel was bred in a British raan-o'-war."

" We have little chance of getting ofF, I fear, with sv
much odds against us," ejaculated the Pirate, with a
melancholy air. " These fishermen know nothing of
good sailing, that makes against us too."

" She scuds between the ice as if she had wings,
Captain," wondered Toby, nodding in the direction of
the cruiser, " and there arc ei^nt or nine good hours
of daylight before us yet." . .

" Bad hours they will prove for us, Toby, I believe,"
(jiffhed the Pirate. " We shall never be able to hold
out so long." .'..-.■ . . ,

" But we shall give them some trouble to come at us
with all their advantages," remarked Toby with a look
of encouraging sagacity. " Aha! they are foiled at
that tack I" laughed he, obstrepolously as the cj'uiscr
again retreated, being pressed by the ice. " Ware

t ■ : 'I

ri,

5
Wit

) ,

i i 1

582

THA CANADIAN GIRL.

ship ! — my fine fellows ! — ware ship I'* the ancient ma-
riner vociferated, putting his hand to his mouth to guide
the tauntinor shout.

A bullet from a well-directed carabine, by way of
return, saluted him on the forehead, but still he elevated
his jeering laugh, the faint echo of which reached the
adverse ship, conveying with it the conviction that the
shot had fallen short of its aim. But the pilot who bad
fired it, seizing a telescope, declared with remarkable
satisfaction that he saw a man lying wounded on deck,
and that a figure, which even at that distance he could
swear to belong to the Pirate, was bending over him.

Not long after, this same pilot sprang into a canoe,
and rowed with swif\nefis toward the fishing vessel,
while the cruiser was compelled to steer back still fur-
ther before the onward-driflting ice. The Pirate beheld
him approaching, and witb astonishment recognised
Brien. Slackening his vessel's speed, he called out to
him sternly — •" '••

" What is your errand this way ? Take care how
you approach too near!" at the same time he levelled
a gun at him. ■ ' • in*- .j.;. '

" I come from yon cruiser !'' shouted Brien in re-
ply. " My errand is friendly ! Let me come on board
that I may speak to you !"

The Pirate hesitated, then bade him approach.

" Did not a shot from the snip out beyond hit some
of you ?"

*' Yes, old Toby Haverstraw, poor fellow !" rcjoineu
the Pirate, in tones of deep regret for the loss oi' that
faithful servant. " But wliat arc }ou doing in tnn
company of my enemies ?"

THG CANADIAN GIRL.

58 ;

'* I chanced to hear that they waated a pilot in a
harry to hunt you on the St. Lawrence; and, tliinkipg
some chance of serving you might turn up, hired m^solf
for the occasion. But 1 njust come on deck — I have
something for your private ear."

The Pirate could not apprehend danger from a single
individual, he therefore received him into the vessel.
Brien was not a man for whom he had the least liking,
though he h.id been a sharer in all his fortunes as. a pri-
vateer, and had learned the art of navigation from him-
self. I'here had always been a rooted dislike between
the two, nourished on one side by envv, and on the
other by suspicion. Toby, too, had been a marked ob-
ject for Brieu's secret hatred — the old mariner was a
zealous friend of the Pirate, and had oAen hmted that
Brien longed for the command of the Vulture, which
was the case. This afforded cause enouo;h for animosity.
But Brien was a cunning man as well as a vindictive
one. Had he slain Haverstraw with what justice cnnid
have termed '* malice aforethought," unpleasant con-
sequences might have resulted ; he waited for a fitting
opportunity — that opportunity had arrived — he had
seized it — and the unconscious object of his hatred was
dead .'

But .Tgainst tlie Pirate Brien had long meditated a
more subtle revenge. It had been he who incited his
band to Ir.vfik into the mansion of Rougemont for the
puipose ofextir tin2 money from the Marquis by threat-
ening to expose Ids past life to the authorities of the
land. And at tl e titno Jane was in the hands of his
partv, had she kj. d\mi liie dark tliouglits which swept
ucross his brain as iie calculated how by ill treating the

I::

111

'il

i;.:

5S\

THE CANADIAN GIRL,

ilanii;liter lie nii"ht wring the father's heart, she wonld

hud

io tremble

ave Hurt cause to tremuie even more than she did.
From what horrors she was spared by Gilpin's unex-
pected kindness, who could tell ? And on such slight
continj^encies fate weaves her strange web, that nothing
short of his desire to thwart the Pole's hastily-conceived
design of murdering her in the gipsies cavern could have
wrought him to effect her liberation. Had Scrynccki not
meditated killing her, because he had been called a
coward for her sake, as he said, Jane would have been
utterly lost. Brien had eagerly joined the pursuers of
the Pirate, and no efforts of his skill had been wanting
to enable them to reach him ; but when he saw that it
would be next to impossible for them to accomplish
their ends while so beset by the ice, he determined
upon a bolder scheme, which, when he had communi-
cated to the officers on the cruiser, and engaged them
to pay him a certain reward in case of his success, he
hastened to put in execution in the most artful manner.

Speaking to the Pirate apart, he said —

" You SCO there has been some little misunderstand^'*
b( tvveen us in times past, and to do away with all re
membrance of it I have wished to serve you. Well,
when T found mysolf on board yon cruiser I thought
I should be able to give you some sort of advantage
or other, and so it has turned out. The ollicers there
proposed to me to come to you as a friend, and givt
vou a false notion of their intentions. I was to tell
you t.int tlicy moant to throw up flic hunt to-day and
come upon you in the night aflor tlto it-o whould have
cleared away down llie liver. \Vliproa«, they mean
(H\Iv — l)tit I will ii'.)( explain now uliat tliey intend. If

TMr-. (,A\ADIAN UlflL.

585

voii will ;Hcr|>t my services, here I am — and in four
jiimI Iweiily hours I will make yon as clear of them as
evor V'jU wfri- in your life."

'* I Jiini/ trust you?" said the Pirate, inquiringly,
fixing a |H'notiuting glance on the unabashed lace of
the plotting villain.

" As you please — as you please,*' rejoined Brien
v/ith affected unconcern. '* If you refuse to be kept
out of a halter I don't see why I should fret myself
about it. You cannot get oflT without me, that I know."

*' Glad should I be of your assistance, Ijrien, if 1
could feel certain you meant as fair as you say," ob-
served the Pirate, again perusing the other's face with
doubt " But I do not see wlii/ I should be dubious of
you," pondered he. '* If you had been disposed to oe
treacherous to me, you could have been so without telling
me that my enemies sent you here for that purpose,
which has put me on my guard. No — you have come
in an open, honest manner, and I will trust you." ,

And so he shopk Brien by the band with nervous
emotion, and discarding every latent suspicion gave him
charge of the helm instead of Haverstraw, whose dead
body lay bleeding by covered with a canvass bag.

During the three succeeding hours Brien strengthcncc'
the Pirate's confidence in him by the openness with
which he made known all the counsels of the oflicers in
pursuit, and by his able advice as )tu the best means of
counteractuig their operations.

The Pirate now began to feel extremely weary, not
having slept for many nights, his mind and his body
bavins been long on the full stretch of exertion without
any interval of relaxation. The cruiser rested apparoi. j

4 V

K I

»■!

31!

580

TUB CANADIAN' GUiL.

stationary at the edge of the horizon ; she had shown no
disposition to approach nearer since Brien liad been
here, who laughed gleefully as he remarked this to the
Pirate,

" Ha ! ha ! Marquis !'* he roguishly ejaculated,
winking his eye, " they will have to wait some time
longer than they expect for my going back ! I have
done them ha ! ha ! a^ neat as a glove ! Got out of
them all I could, and then come to you to report it all
and help you to get off! 8ut leave this vessel to me>
Marquis, while you go and refresh yourself with a nap.
You look preciously fagged." , , .

" f am very tired," rejoined the I*irate, " and so I
will trust to you for an hour. But do not let me sleep
longer. Be sure you send down Merry to wake me if
I should be inclined to lengthen out my slumber bc\ond
an hour."

" Very well,'' acquiesced Birlen. " Harkye, blacky,"
elevating his tone, " mind you are to go down and
wake the Marquis in an houir from this time !"

" Iss, me hear you," assented Merry from the rig-
ging. " Me berry sure to mind. One hour you say,
Massa Brien ?"

" One hour — sixty minutes if you like them better!'
repeated Brien.

" Berry well — me mind!'*

The Pirate was sound asleep in the fishermen's little
cabin below, when Brien called Merry to him.

" Hold the helm for a few minutes," commanded he.

Merry obeyed, and Brien rushed with noiseless step^
or'«n *\uougli the opening in the deck, took away the
Pirate's weapons, secured them on his own person, ana

i»»

i.Mi'Ji ilsit.)

»ijn; :.

no
en
he

ive
of

»»

THR CANADIAN CIRU 5&*S

»« ■ III. 1 , _TI^

]bcked the door outside. Returninn' on deck he de-
liberately approached the four simple Hshermen ami
a<3ked them ifihey had any arms. They replied in the
negative.

" Yes, comrades, we have a pistol," said one, sud-
denly recollecting himself.

" And you have knives that you use about your
business," said Brien — *' let me have them."

They complied with the strange request without the
least hesitation, perfectly unsuspicious.

Brien now advanced to Merry. * sv ri tnn

" Blacky, have you got any weapons about you t" he
demanded in an overbearing tone. Merry was not
wanting in shrewdness; he did not like the question
put in such a manner.'- •'"'•'' - ■• i^M.^inwi, h „^t,n,

" Why for you want to kiibw, Mkssa Brine ?'* he re-
torted warily. ■ p ' ■; -^ ■-'■-• -• '^' ?!;,• ■■:'-•-• ) (J;-'! ;;<*•

Brien*8 answer was uiiequivocal. Holdiiig a pistbl
cocked in the black^s face, he savagely muttered —

" Because I must have them ! Make no palkvet
about the business, or I will lay you alongside your old
rogue of a companion who lies under that bag. l always
ionsed to he the death of him for his d— d mterference
between me and the men on the Vulture — and I have
done it at last."

Merry's fine black eyes glistene^d with tears as r:e
glanced toward the body of old Haverstraw, and, faltered
passionately —

" Was it you den, ?.Iassa Brine, who fired at ana
killed poor old white-headed Toby ? Ah! you will
tieber be let go into ebben after dat mind ! W%en you
go to do door dey will tell you to go down to he<i|

588

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

Massa Briwi — to hell ! because poor old Toby wm
murdered by you ! Ois be worse den ebery ting else
you eber did ! Oh^ lor-a-me ! poor white-headed old
fader Toby !" And the tears actually streamed in lar^e
drops down his sable cheeks. , ^

" Thera is one left alive whom I have a deeper grudge
ag^in^t-r-J mean this new-made Marquis," growleJ ^
Brien between |iis teeth. " To work his ruin, to bring
him down from his proud heights — to see him sink lo]w
— low under my feet — to trample on him — that is my
aim here !" . i^r* i • • #.

" Df»n you hab Jied to Massa Captin, and you be a
big blackguard knave!" gasped Merry, his voice rising^
to a shrill treble, his peck stretched forward, his com-
plexion changing to a mottled brown, his eyes fierce
and bpld, his ivory teeth )>ecora:Qg bared in his rage.
Ills hot*j crouching, and his limbs gathering themselves
up as if for a dea41y spring upon the treacherous villain.

Brien seemed a little staggered by this sudden burst
of rage, and recoiled befor^ the black a pacj or two.
The pause was momentary only ; the next instant saw
him glai^ng at Merry with the ferocity of an untamed
beast. In a deep whisper he imprecated a dreadful
curse 9n his head, and, whije the muzzle of the pistol
presented itself close to the eyes of the writhing black,
completeiy disarmed him, and threw the implements of
destruction which he had taken from^ )iim over the
vessel side. • ,

*' Masfsa Captin I — Massa Captin ! — Wake ! — wake ! —
^urder!" roared Merry, stamping as loudly as possible
^ the planks over the cabin in which the Pirate lay.

''Death and devils!" swore Brien, making a lunge

TUB CAKADIAff OIRL,

589

Will you be quiet, yo^.

at the black with his cutlass.

d-d fool r*

But Merry had leaped on one side with such agility
as to avoid the deadly stroke ; and uplifting a yell loud
enough to awaken the dead, precipitated himself down
through the deck to the cabin door, and beat at it with
feet and hands so powerfully that the Pirate, suddenly
roused from his deep sleep, started up, and, in tones of
alarm, demanded the cause of the noise. ..., ...' (<, .-.

'* Massa Brine is a liar and rogue!" vociferated
Merry, his utterance impeded by wrath so that what he
said was hardly intelligible. ** By gor, Massa Captin,
Brine is a black rogue ! Come out ! Open the door !
Brine it was who fired de shot dat kill old fader Toby!
Oh, de big tarnation liar and rogue is Brine ! He com ,
here to do do you good, has he ? No! — ^no! He com
here to hinder you getting qff! Com out, Massa Captin!.
Open de door !" and again with vehement impatience
he plyed the door with his feet and fists so violently and
forcibly that the panels began to yield.

*' It has been locked outside while I slept!'* exclaimed,
thf Pirate, in tones of astonishment and dismay, as he
also shook the door. " And my weapons are gone !**

*' 'f ^at is Brine's doings — de liar! de rogue! de
bla^ck-bearted — "

** Come — come — young blacky,'* ejaculated that
worthy, coolly, flinging himself down the ladder, and
grasping him by the collar with both hands, " you have
made uproar enough, now lie there for the present;"
upon which he hurled him into a coal recess opposite
the caljin, clajiped to the door, secured it with a ruttj
padlock that was hanging from un iron staple, and jj^t

590

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

!!»'(

!■ i.

■ !

I I

if
It

thfe key in his pocket. " Marquis," he cried, jeerin^y,
** don't put yourself at all out of the way. I'll manage
the vessel for you. I wouldn't advise you to stint your-
self of sleep now, for the felon's prison which you ire
going to isn't a place remarkably favourable for re>

»»

pose,

" Villain!" exclaimed the Pirate, " have you deceived
meV*

" O, by no means," rejoined Brien, ironically. " A
person of your talents couldn't he deceived by me. On
board the Vulture you were a king, you know, and I
was nobody. Who so clever as Captain Anderson,
then ! You could affront me as easily as drink grog.
I durst hardly say my name was my ovvn. Mighty'
Captain Anderson has been a great man 'n his timeV
And now your Marquis-ship h^s made ynu above me
with a vengeance ! Yet if I were not able to help you
now to a short cut to the gallows, I think, fool as I am,
I should contrive to make your soft-cushioned Seats and
your downy beds at Rougeraont, not quite so easy for
you

I .'U>> <■<

((

So," muttered the Pirate, breathing hard, " fate'
has meshed me at last !" . ^ ! -;ij ^*v. i<i , v,ij.

"It will 1)0 as well for me to satiisfv vbur mind eii-
tirely as to your situation," pursued Brien, coolly.
" Tiie fishermen have seen the Lieutenant-ffovernor's
warrant for your arrest, which I bear about me, and.
like sensible men, refuse to assist you any longer. I
have therefore put the helm about for Quebec, where
the proper authorities will receive you."
' The Pirate staggered to a seat and sat for some time
stupified. An icy dew gathered on his large forehead.

THK CANADIAN QIRU

a vacant horror was in his eye. " Ah ! my children 1**
he mentally exclaimed, in a broken voice, "it is for
your sakes chiefly that I shrink from the bitter cup!
My God ! what anguish is before them ! He started
up — crossed the cabin — stopped, and groaned deeply —
walked to the opposite wall and there sank down again
on his seat, resting his forehead on his arm upon the
back of the chair.

The vessel crowded all sail toward Quebec, in com-
pany with the cruiser. When jvithin sight of Cape
Diamond a boat put oiT from the latter filled with armed
officers, who demanded the person of the Marquis of
Rougcmont} which Brien was not slow to deliver up to

them.

. •!»

4.<S..* Ilf t^» l^M i

If!-

)pi^f t^l^

The prisoner came forth from the fishermen's cabin
with an erect mien and an unfaltering step. As the
villain. who had entrapped him stood side by side with
the chief officer on the deck he stepped back with
involuntary loathing. On^ of the circle of armed men
around instantly drew the trigger of a weapoti which
was levelled at him, but it fortunately flashed in the
pan. The Pirate's face flushed, and he indignantly
exclaimed — ' h-j'm )r.i\)

„." Gentlemen, whether my life be forfeit to th6 laws
or no(, it is not forfeit to you! Your warrant merely
extends to the taking and guarding of my person. I,
beg you to remember that, and do not take more power
into your hands than duly belongs to you, or you will;
have to answer for it in higher quarters."

*' He will be a seignior to the last,'* jeered Brieu. (

** I was not going to attempt an escape," continueri

t|»e Pirate, msoyereaccuats, turning to the individual?

li'i^

592

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

who had fired at him. " Another time let your vigilance,
good sir, be not so over-zealous." ■ '• '

" No, no, he did wrong," decided the chief oiBcer.
" Marquis of Rougemont, you are the prisoner of
British justice, which glories in the maxim that every
persun in your unhappy circumstances is to be thought
innocent until he has been proved to be guilty. You
shall find honourable treatment, sir, while you are
under my care. I shn.ll not suffer you to bear any thing
unpleasant which is not exactly necessary for your se-
cure custody. Mr, Smith," addressing with marked
displeasure the too forward individual, " you will be
so good as deliver up your arms — ^you have grossly
offended, and the guard will not require your services
at present." '' ^*'^ ?"= t 'yY\

'i ♦* Sir," faltered the Pirate, overcome by this liberal
treatment, " my heart thanks you. If you will take the
oath of a man like myself, hear me swear by this bright
sky above, which is the throne of a merciful and truth-
loving Deity, I will not make henceforward one singlf
effort to escape ! If I mean not this truly, and if [ do
not observe it religiously, may heaven reject me in my
last need!" '.

*' Of course it will be my care not fo give you an
opportunity for escaping," returned the officer, with a
civil smile.

" Assuredly," ejaculated the Pirate, in a little em-
barrassment. Brien laughed insolently.

** Oh, let the men draw off directly if the Marquis
promises this," said he, with a grin of derision. " WhoM
be so uncivil as to watch him after he has given his
word not to escape. Let him alone, officers, lot htm

TUB CANADIAN OIRL.

5^3

alone, lieMI go to prison like a whipped child to school,
without your looking after hina. Bless you, gentlemen,
lie'il put his own neck into the halter and throw himself '
oiTthe drop without the assistance of an executioner."

The Pirate made a fierce movement forwards, but .
catching the chief officer's eye instantly calmed himself, .
and drew up his colossal figure with a look at Brien of
withering scorn. ^,]« ;^.,,,t ,, „„^,| ^^.^^^ ,_^^^^ ^^, ^.^'^^ ^.*

" Marquis," said the ofBcer, in a soothing and con-
siderate manner, holding up his hand to enforce atten-
tion not only from the Pirate but from the others.^
also, *' this perspn who has delivered you into our
hands is not under my authority ; I am not answerable
for any unworthy insults he may choose to inflict upon
you. If I werf," \^h turned a severe and reproving,,
look on Brien, " I wqipld prevent your being tormented
by them. Nevertheless, I may observe that Mr. Brien '
certainly shows very bad taste, and worse feeling. Have
you any friends on board. Marquis ? They cannot be
concealed, you ki^PW---.QQ)ly;t9v^p4r<eji^y^e)f,tr(^ul4e I
inquire of you." " . n :, • ^

** This was one of my best friencjl^," s^id the Pirate,
movingly, drawing off thu canvass , (rem the reioains of
Haverstraw which lay by his feet, ai)d stooping on one
knee to peruse the gory feature. The.pflicQx shuddered,
and drew nearer to thfi )ipary corpse,, as did \m men

also. .i.Mmni Km , .al.. ^.ji; hH- .l^,fiY>vK''j' *• -r;: f— ^::-./nj
** This old man has been with me upwards of twenty ^
years," mournfully pursued the rirfkte. " All my past.,
life was known to him. He has mpre than once risked
his own life for me and those who belong to me. He. *
had a heart less tainted by the evil example of his com-

4 o

I I'lli

6Vi

TUU rANAl'.IAN GIRL.

I* inioiis tlian any man of his station I ever knp\r. Hi^
was not IeaniO(i, but lie was singularly clever in tho
practice of manv useful arts. He was not o professor
of religion, but piety and charity were enwoven with
all his thoughts and feelings. lie was straightforward in
his motive:; — upright in his actions — and pre-eminently
binde-hearted and disinterested at all times and under
all circumstances. Such an unofTending, kindly, useful,
old man, lie must have been a devil who could murder,
merely to vent an old spite."

Speaking with stinging emphasis be looked full at
Brien, who evasively exclaimed— ''^'^'^' vI-tu Jf.i .; ,

** Toby was the man my (gunshot hit when I fired from
the cruiser." '*' "'' *• * t*- ^'••'■i^i- j'i ■iuliuu j.i.i a; il-.^.-.

** Aye, you meant him to be the man," returned the
Pirate pointedly and bitterly. ** What ought to be
your punishment for such a deed, think you Y* and his
countenance was charged with stern reproach. * ->> ^

" I fired in defence of the law," cried Brien, dis-
concerted, " this gentleman knows that."

" I know the law can take uo cognizance of this act,
vir," observed the chief officer; " but I am equally
certain that some private motives of your own, Mr.
Brien, induced you to wing the fatal shot against this
wrinkled victim. I was standing by you observing yof
closely, sir, and your looks and exclamations of tri
uinphant glee when you noted the eflfect of your fin
inspired me with disgust. But this does not immediately
concern me. Men, go down and search the cabins, and
6ring up whoever you may find there." •"' ' ' -v'
The Pirate asked leave to commit the body of Toby
with his oMU hands to the deep. Permission was granted

-uiiij 'i.j jfi

^i i*;i JJW {jAliJiiii.i ^//^ ^f>. ..>

>l «

THB CANADIAN OlilL.

d05

him ; and with the help af one of the fishermpoj the old
sailor was speedily sewn in a hammock and brought to
the edge of the vessel.

*' Stop, Marquis," said the chief officer, " I nm not
in such haste as to see a fellonr mortal consigned to his
grave, whether that be of earth or water, like a soulless
beast. I am an attached Protestant, sir, and with youi
leave, part of the service for the dead used in my church
shall be read before these relics are ].ut out of sight."

" I am an attached Catholic, sir," returned the Pi-
rate ; ** but as I have no priest at hand to perform the
service according to the ritual of my church, I shall be
very happy to hear yours." , -.i .,?_,, t .,.;.♦ Kr.,!?.-

The officer, who was a worthy, middle-aged gentle-
man of tiie naval protession, immediately drew from
his pocket a prayer book.

" [ always carry this about me,** he gravely observed,
noticing: the facetious smiles which sat on the faces of
the irreligious party around. " Let me tell you, sirs,
there is nj book in the world to be compared with the
Church of England Common Prayer, except the BiUe
itself.*' He cleared his voice, looked abou'. to see that
all were imcovered and in an attitude of attention, then
(leliborately proceeded through the whole of the service,
while the calm and wide-spread water — the majestic sky,
vast and clear — and the deep hush which pervaded the
twilight atmosphere — imparted to the touching rite ad-
ditional solemnity. '

The Pirate listened with closed eyes. Never had
words fallen before on his ear with such deep and awful
emphasis. The fervent tones of the good officer, coming
as they did direct from ths heart, gave fuU effect to

596

TUB CANADIAN GIB

eVery sentence though unaccompanied with any tu-
fbfed hannony of accent, any studied inflection of the
voice. , ,

* Such words I may shortly hear said for myself on
the scaffold," thought the Pirate. " And where shall
I be when they aire concluded ? Where ! — O God !—
where P' ' " ''"''„ . r . i

There was now a 'heavy plunge heard in the water;
then were seen upon its surface a spreading circle and
a few ripples, and ancient Toby was gone for ever out
ef the sight of the battling world.

" Now we must depart," said the chief officer.
<* Come my men, biistte — bustle ! Marquis, you must
submit to be handcuffed, and enter the boat with the
black and your videt The fishermen must go with us

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i i
•4.

TUB a'VNAUIAN GIRL.

597

,u-
;he

on
all

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-».:( ?}•> -sii Im^;' ...,-A I! ♦^n frtvrf (bifiv; ftli;;?^ *o!ii^'Ti

CHAPTER XXXIV. <'! „,,;rf,.

^ "J '.i'if 'Ml? .-*j ;■.»

•* By the iipostle Paul, s'.iailows to-night '
Hare sti-uck tnore terror to the soul of Richard, !(**.(•« f,- •(f>;;9rje;
Than can tiie substance of ten thousand sulditTA,
Armed in proof, led on by shallow Richmond !" — Sliakipeare. ''

The widowed mourner, M»dame Barry, was brought
from her convent to the prison in which the Pirate
lay. She was conducted to the sheriff's room, where
Lieutenant-governor Markham, and certain subordinate
magistrates, sat round a table. The Pirate was brought
into the room unfettered ; and the excellent lady, imme-
diately fixing her eyes on him, became excessively agi-
tated and aliaost fainted. Her wounds bled afresh. The
presence of the man whom she believed to be the author
of her sorrows, was intolerable to be borne."

** Let me go hence, your worships 1'* she panted,
keeping her head turned from the Pirate at from a
monster too hideous to be beheld—" I cannot— cannot
stay in the same room with the murderer of my hus-
band 1"

The Pirate was at once taken back to his cell,
which he continued to pace with feverish and hurried
steps until the turnkey went his midnight rQun(|9 ttifo^^sl
thq passages of the drear)* building. ^ .^^j ^^.j |^

I .

■!ll

V '

ill

fi-

•

■ (^

598

TBB CANADIAN GIRL.

" To bear the reproach and hatred of the good is
dreadful !" murmured the Pirate. " It is this which
was Cain's punishment, and it is mine. Truly can I
say with him * It is more than I can bear !* These
fearful walls which hem me in from light, air, and hap-
piness — the dreadful ordeal which awaits roe in the
shape of my trial — the deep, dark abyss which is before
me as the final conclusion of my

* Strange, eventful history *—

whence arises their chief power of torturing me ? — why
from their scandalous notoriety I Could I suffer pri-
vately, unknown, and without involving others in my
fall, I think that I should be more of a stoic. That
abhorrent look Madame Barry gave me, planted a thou-
sand daggers in ir^* breast. Rather than bear its repe-
tition I would rush of my own accord to the gallows f
Let me think. — Did I not murder her husband ? I have
said No, but now I feel in doubt. A strange mist hangs
over the past, and I can hardly distinguish my own ac-
tions from those of my companions. Was not my hand
stained with his blood like theirs ? Did I not help to
strike him down? Is not his cry * Could I have ex-
pected this from yoUf Anderson,' always in my ear like
a terrible voice from a watery sepulchre crying to heaven
for vengeance against me? In what a ghastly con-
fusion my mind is involved ! If I am thus at my trial
I shall commit myself. Let me reflect. — I was on the
mutinous ship— I afterwards commanded the old Cap-
tain's murderers — hah ! that was the poisoned bait ! —
command— COMMAND ) Impatience of subordination
has been my ruin !" ' "" ' * ' '."""''*"*''••' i«i "^
Hd lay down to sleep. His excited thoughts fotniing

THB CANADIAN GIRL

599

themselves into an awful phantasmagoria of harrowing
scenes. There was the bloody spectre of Barrj mad-
dening him with his upbraidings because he had leagued
tiimself with his murderers. There was the dreadful
platform prepared for his execution in the midst of a
shoutinor, hooting, barbarous multitude, whose name
was " legion.*' Great drops of clammy sweat oozed from
the tormented sleeper's iace. He ground his teeth
fri<rlitfully,and moaned so loud that the turnkey knocked
at the door to know what was the matter.

*' Come in for the love of heaven !" stammered the
Pirate, springing up from his recumbent position
dreadfully pale. " Turnkey, I beg you will ?ome
in!"

** Why what ails you. Marquis V* wondered the offi-
cial, entering, and lifting up his lantern to survey the
prisoner's face. " You look as if you had seen a
ghost!"

** So I have," faltered the Pirate, sinking his voice
to a fearful whisper — *' so I have. I had been dreaming
that I was in the executioner's hands when I was wakened
by your knocking, and, as I am alive, turnkey, my
eyes opened on a figure revealed to me by a pale light
that quivered about it."

" Nonsense — it was only in your dream you saw it
— I have fancied such things myself."

** My eyes were open — I saw it as plain as I see you
—it stood exactly where you now stand."
: The turnkey instantly jumped on one side, and cast
ft terrified look around the dim cell. He was not in-
vulnerable to superstitious fears ; on the contrary, his
memory was charged with a hundred stories of signs

/^;-

? Hi

600

TUB GANAUIAN GIRL.

and tokens, and mysterious voices and noises, which lie
could vouch that the prisoners under his care had :^ocn
and heard during the forty year;^ he had been iv the
prison. He had never yet gone so far as to venture
to assert th an apparition had beiin actually palpablt*
to vision within the building's dismal precincts. Perhaps
a due consideration for his own n?rves at the periods
when he took his midnight rounds, held him back from
this " pleasing, dreadful thought."

" I — I have a cell vacant next this," li? stammered
in alarm ; " if yon like you shall go into it — it is more
comfortable than this." ' ^- ' -' "t'- .vn.-.'i

In tnis second cell the turnkey lingered a kvr minutes
as if to cheer his prisoner by his company, but in reality
to talk of horrors which the dumb walls of .the prison
had witnessed. . ., / ' ,, ,r- .-,".>

" A mun strangle(t himself in that place you have
been lodged in," observed he, mysteriously. " I have
often heard strange noises there aVout this time of
night. Sometimes I have seen a pale light, such as
you say, shining under the door, but when 1 looked in
no light was to be seen."

" It was the figure of my own son," imeditated the
Pirate, speaking scarcely above his breath, for at that
weird and silent hour even his own voice sounded char-
neUlike to him.

" Was your son ill ?" insinuated the turnkey. " I
have heard of dying persons being seen by their friends
a long distance from the place in which they lay."

"111! — no. God forbid!" fervently exclaimed the
Pirate. :. ^^ "^ "• ■■'"'■'='"•'''

" Yet he may have died to-night, nevertheless,'*

THK CANADIAN GIRL.

60*

>m1

suggested the turnkey. " Death will not always wait
for doctors," and he tried to laugh. " If I had seen
what you say, I should reckon upon his being gone out
of this world as surely as he ever came into it." Taking
his lantern the speaker turned to go. But yet lingering,
he entertained the oppressed captive, who wanted
nothing to increase his gloom, with several of the darkest
traditions with which his mind was furnished. When
he was really departing, the Pirate begged a light and
writing implements, which the turnkey promised to bring
him after he should have gone through the wards to see
that all was secure. . / .

Wrapped in a rug on his prison-bed the Pirate now
\a.y once more surrounded by unbroken silence and
darkness. He could not close his eyes again, slumber
had departed from him for the rest of the night. He
was too courageous in his temperament and by habit to
yield easily to fear ; but as he mused on the shape which
for one terrible moment had flitted before his eye, he
trembled, and longed for the turnkey's return with the
light.

He had not long to wait — he light came, and a pen
and ink, with a quire of paper, accompanied it. Until
tlie dawn he wrote and read, the turnkey having on the
prtivious day obliged him with several books of divinity
and criminal records.

With the first feeble gleam of daylight he became
another man. The shadows which had harassed his
spirit dispersed like mists before the sun. Until the
return of evening again he was employed in preparing
his dcfenoe, and then he read several hours, and after-
wards fi! "t. He awakonod suddenly, disturbed b) the

4 H

n''ll

IP'- ■

;i.!!

lit

602

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

pattering feet of a number of rats who were sporting
about the dungeon enjoying a high holiday. If the
Pirate had a deep-seated antipathy for any breathing
thing, that one was the rat. No other venomous, un-
clean creature, whose instinct it happily is to hide from
the face of man, was in his idea so loathsome as this.
Slowly he raised himself to a sitting posture. One of
the rats was dragging a boot of his to its hole; another
was gnawing a mouldy crust with horrid fierceness of
appetite; a third was consuming an end of candle; and
the rest frisked about, looking greedy and strong enouoh
to devour himself. Bold as he was, his flesh tingled and
crept with very unpleasant sensations. He instinctively
felt about for some weapon, but remembering that he
had none, griped hard the handle of an earthen pitcher,
and would have levelled it without a moment's reflec-
tion at the boot-plunderer, had he not just then felt
somethinof stirring and scratchinor close at his back :
he sprang up to his feet, and an enormous rat bounded
from the raattrass into the midst of its merry companions,
who cleared off" in a second as the pitcher fell in shivers
from the hand which had hurled it at their ill-fated
comrades.

, »

By the feeble light of a meagre oil wick., the Pirate
surveyed his bleeding victim, whose expressive sqneak-
ings took a plaintive tone, and almost moved him to
epent what he had done.

" Poor rat !" he philosophised, " why shouldest thou
be abhorred ? T/iou hast not sinned against superior
knowledge — i/iou hast not basely yielded to lust of
power — ihoit hast not knowingly invaded the rights of
thy fellows — t/iou bast not planted corroding sorrow in

fij 1

TUB CANADIAN UIRL.

603

liearls that loved tliee — thou wilt not leave in thy com-
munity after thou hast drawn tiiy last painful breath a
branded name. No — poor rat ! betwixt mft and thee
thou art the worthiest aniru.il of us twain. Yes!" he
exclaimed, with f'ioomy bitterness, " rather would 1 be
this expiring rat that I have killed than what I am !" .

His cell looked on a court in the midst of the prison.
The dull, unceasiu'j!' plash of rain on the stones, came
with dismal monotony on his ear, which listened thirst-
ingly for some sound of life. The wind kept up a low,
continuous moaning. A raven belonging to the turn-
key ever and anon startled the silent hour with its evil
boding croak ; and an owl, which had found its way at
some secret hour to a time-worn part of the prison, de-
serted for the present, and had built its nest there, in a
murderer's vacant and ruinous cell, echoed the notes of
the raven with her own harsh shriek.

The Pirate drew a bench under the window, and,
mounting m it, looked through the iron bars into the
court, whose tall confined bounds were rendered imper-
fectly visible by two lamps burning drearil*' one at each
end of the paved space. The guard was not there.
Suddenly something flitted past the window. The Pirate
was startled. His imagination had been fairly roused
diuintr the two preceding nights. Ho scarcely breathed,
scarcely moved a finger; but theie was no more fear in
his l)reasttluin served to impart keenness to the tiirilling
r.\pectalion with which he maintained his watch.

Again there flitted something past, swift as an arrow
from a bow — to the eye like a beam of unearthly light,
A third time it came, and more palpably ; white gar-
ments rustled against the window-bars, but m the

III

t>04

TUK CANADIAN GIUL.

. 1 i

i!'

twinkling of an eye the vision was gone again. The
Pirate had rallied his firm nature to its utmost btrensth:
he kept his watch still. The guard appeared, pa-^ed the
court awhile, and passed out of sight The rat ), the
wind, the cry of the owl and raven, were all the s\ unds
that could be distinguished until the prison-bell lung
two o'clock. Then the Pirate returned again to his
slumbers.

The next day brought his children to his presence.
Clinton wrung his hand in expressive silence, and re-
tained it long, while Jane threw herself dissolved in
tears on his neck, exclaiming in an agony of afflicti(.u —

« O, father, has it come to this !"

The Pirate looked on both with a forehead contracted
in intense gloom, and with compressed lips that showed
the workings of a heart wrung by a thousand pangs.

" Yes," my Jenny,** he hoarsely articulated, " it
/las come to this ! I have disgraced you for ever !"

"Do not think of that, father!" implored Jane —
" all will yet be well if you should be acquitted at your
trial."

" ^ I should be acquitted at my trial, my love, I
know all will be well. But I am fully convinced that
my trial will have but one result." He spoke in such
a manner that in his voice his tender daughter heard
the knell of all her hopes on his behalf.

" And that result?" inquired Clinton.

" Will be my death," firmly rejoined the Pirate.

Jane instantly fainted.

"What have I done!" eATclalnieJ her father. " I
spoke too abruptly. Gentle soul ! how will she be-ir
tho event itself if she thus quails at the bare hearing

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

G05

his

of it! Bring that water, Nicholas ! Carry her out into
the air ! Turnkey, open the door !"

She was carried out, and with the kind aid of the
turnkey's wife recovered soon. A violent gust of tears
relieved her overcharged spirit, and she returned to her
father.

*' My Jenny, you are but a coward, though you lived
with me so lonff amonor a set of men who thoujjht no
more of life and death than of eating and sleeping,"
said the Pirate, seating her by his side, with a forced
smile, on a chair which the turnkey had brought from
his own room. " You are not much of a heroine,
Jenny."

" My dear sir, Mrs. Markham is warmly exerting
herself on your behalf,*' said Clinton. " We saw her
yesterday morning in Montreal, when she told us that
she had seen two of the passengers who escaped from
the wreck of Barry's vessel at the same time with my-
self, and their testimony in your favour will be very
important. She had also seen the Pirate Gilpin, who
is also to appear on your behalf at the trial. On the
other hand, Brien has furnished the Governor with a
great many details of robberies and murders committed
by the band you have governed, for whose actions you
were responsible, and has daily introduced sotne of his
companions to his Excellency, who is furnishing the
advocate for the crown with a growing mass of depo-
sitions bearing against you. Still, I think the worst
that is likely to happen, is your conviction as a Pirate,
and consequent transportation to Bermuda, or some
other colony, in which case I and Lady Hester intend
to go with you, and shall do all in our power to lighten

GOG

THK CANADIAN GIRL.

{lii

ffi' 1 i •I'

1 i>

!tt|

your exile. Your present station, and the mil^'wating
circurnstancps which have attended yor.r errors, will, I
coniRlentiy hope, dispose the authorities to allow you
to dwell with us in the place of your banishment ; and
so, after all, we may live tosraiie back upon the troubles
of these days."

" I hope it may be so !" responded the Pirate, not
willlncf to damp his children's sanguine hopes, though
Ivi could not share in them. *' When did vou hear that
I was taken ?" he asked.

" Not till yesterday morning," answered Clinton,
" when all Montreal was rinjjiuff with the news. We
set out directly for Quebec, where Mrs. Markliam told
us you were imprisoh°d, and reached here last mid-

Jane now put to her father a thousand affectionate
inquiries concerning his accommodations, all which he
answered with as much cheerfulness as he could com-
mand, and more than emanated from his hear^ t lere,
alas I nothing but gloom reigned. The gentle querist
watched his looks with solicitude, and t)\;ir smiles did
not entirely deceive her. He sighed involuntarily as
Rhe kept her eyes upon him, and, raising his hand to
her lips, she ejaculated —

" You are depressed in spirits, father !"

" A little, Jenny, and that may easily l)e pardoned
in a felon almost on the eve of the tri<il which is to de-
cide his fate." He smiled painfully as he spoke.

In the melancholy silence that ensued, Clinton's eyes
settled on the floor, and all his countenance assumed nil
air of as much depression as his father's. " '• ' ' ■

" You must not allow yourself to bo infected with

THE CANADIAN CT

6U7

my despondency, jNinliohis.'" said Mio Pirate, more
buoyantly. " Come, I will hope tlie best with >o\i.
Here is my defence, which I have drawn up — look it
over, and teU me If you think it clear and forcible
enough."

Clinton read it to Jane, while the Pirate paced
the cell, listening c.-itically to judge of the effect it was
likely to produce in the court.

" It appears to me unanswerable— it musi carry con-
viction with it totho heartyof eviry onel" said Clinton,
energetically. " I will take down the heads for Mrs.
Markham, they will assist her to a clearer understand-
ing of your case. Lady Hester promised to write to
her as soon as 1 had ?een you."

" Where is Lady Hester now ? — and Mr. Lee ?"

" In private lodgings beside the prison."

" Let them come with you to-morrow ; I shall have a
priest here who will unite your hands then. You must
not oppose m} wish — I must see your marriages over
before my trial, which comes oi the day after. Then
whatever the result may be I shall have the satisfaction
of thinking that I do not leave you comfortless."

*' It is nearly time for your friends to leave, Marquis,"
crie.l the turnkey outside, knocking at the Joor.

" Present! V," returned the Pirate. " Bv ilio bye,
tliat man's brain," said he, '* is a u hole library of prison
lecrenils and traditions; he would curdle your blood 'oy
the hour, and make your hair to stand on end. He ha:'
inoculatcil me with the disease of superstition to such
a degree, as would surprise you. Do you know I have
fancied that I have seen some supernatural appearances
here ? At two o'clock this morning something passed

COS

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

$p'^

. «

Ill I

my windovi^, to my thought, three times, like a person
in a white night-dress, but whether male or female I
could not discern. And the night before I hdd such
dreams as made me feel mvsell like an inhabitant of
another world — there was you too, Nicholas, scaring me
out of my five senses."

« No--"

" You, or your angel. As I opened my ejjs on
awaking out of sleep there stood your figure beside me
—not in the dress you at present wear, but in your
former hunting array, at the time when you ranged the
woods. A pale light was quivering al)« iit you. My
cell had been in darkness, and as I lifted my eyelids, I
was surprised to see this light, which was the first thing
that attracted my notice. Your face looked chalky,
and thin, and melancholy, but tlie n])])earancc was be-
fore nie no lon<rer than an instaijt, it j)ass(i' completely
as (he turnkey opened tlio door and cann into nie.
What it betokens perhaps Jane can tell us."

** O, it must liave beon an illusion," ejaculated Jane.
" A beam of moonlifjht, some of vour own clothes hiuijr
np, and an excited imagination, made up your vision,
depend on it."

" I do not know," said Clinton, gravely, turning a
shade paler. " I am not altogether a sceptic in sucli
things. Milt6n says —

' Millions of spiritual crnaturns walk tlio pnttli,
Unseen both when we wake and when wo 8loc(> ;'

Shakspeare says —

' There aro mnrf' ihinps in hpaven and onrlh, Horatio,
Than are (lrp;irnt of in your philosophy j'

and the Bible, 1 bolievc, gives us to understand that w<?

THB CANADIAN IllRL.

G09

• !

are surrounded by spirits of a diiTerent nature from our-
selves, both good and bad. These are high authorities
— I cannot venture to differ from them."

" The turnkey would have it that you had died some-
where about the time when I saw your figure, Nicholas,'*
said the Pirate, giving the conversation a playful turn.
" Are you sure that you did not ? Are you ceriain that
your veritable flesh and blood is before iiie ?"

" I am not conscious of having made a journey to
the shades," returned Clinton in the same tone. *' And
my spii'it lodges so comfortably in its present habita-
'.ion, that I am inclined to think it is thR one it has
ahvays been used to. There comes our summons,
Jane." ' ' . ; .

" Time for visitors to go. Marquis," cried the turn-
key, throwing open the door.

*' I shall take these papers of yours with me, father,
and return them to-morrow," said Clinton, putting the
Pirate's defence in his pocket. vr; ?-

" And remember the priest will be here," said the
Pirate ^^aintedly and firmly, kissing his daughter's cold
cheek as she embraced him at parting, nr-

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THI CAVADIAN GIRL.

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I ' -1

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CHAPTER XXXV.

' (

There we sate, in the communion
Of interchanged vowa, which, with a rite
Of faif^ most aweet and sacred, atamped our union. —
Pew were the living hearta which could unite
LilcB oura,

^Hh auoh cloae sympathies ; for they had sprung ,

From linked youth, and from the gentle might
Of earlieat love, delayed and cheriahed long,
Which common hopes and fears made, like a tempest, strong."

Shelley.

.!t

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hili«

.■titti .1 iff -!:> i.t'1.

.iKTfiR a calmer night than he had yet spent in the
prison, the Pirate arose from his bed to receive a priest
who had boen invited by his earnest desire to hear his
confession, and to impart to him religious instruction.
Unfortunately the man was not suitable to his office,
inheriting a fierce spirit of bigotry for every popish
form, without any of the milder and holier traits of the
gospel, which are found shining in all their intrinsic
loveliness in some professors of his pompous faith.
Hence the Pirate, whose imagination more than his
judgment clung to Catholicism, found little real benefit
from the spiritual exercise in which he was engaged.
However, he made a clean breast as far as his crimes
against the laws were concerned, and acknowledged

TIIK CANADIAN OIRL.

611

himself to have broken all the Ten Commandments, he
joined too in the prayers of the priest, and answered
Amen to his formal exordium and peroration ; but the
root of the matter had not been planted in him, and he
was still left at the mercy of his wild and wandering
thoughts. These soon presented to him an awful idea
replete with fascination : he recoiled from it, but it came
again and again with increasing force until he grew
familiar with it, ' nd entertained the dangerous guest
within the innermost sanctuary of his soul.

" Self-destruction f rather than incur the odium of
the scaffold ! Self-destruction / rather than that it should
be ever said to my children * Your father was hung !'
Self-destruction f rather than that my last moments
should be embittered by a vile rabble gathered together
to glut a brutish curiosity !" Thus muttered the Pirate,
compressing his lips 6rmly, and folding his arms on his
breast in an attitude of calm resolution. " Brien, you
shall not consummate my disgrace by bringing me under
the hands of the executioner ! — you shall not feast your*
self by beholding me in that extremity of degrcidation !
I will cheat your prime hope, fellow ! — I will foil thee
there!" >, ; ; .. - ■ .[■ ,. ...,,,, ,,,. :^ ,„r. >,.,^

Having thus said, he became silent, but his eye and
his countenance showed the fierce workings of his spirit.
Presently they too grew hushed, as it were, in their
tone, and then might you see in him . ,' ,

" Gestures proud anl cc!«i,
And looks of firm defiance, and calm hats,
And such despair as mocks itself with smiles,
Written as on a scroll." ;■ ■ i

if;

.,,5

All this he threw off* upon the entrance of his children
with their intended partners for life. ^ '

'311-

-' [i

613-

TifR CANADIAN GIRL.

h 1^

B-

My dear Lady Hester ! — Mr. Lee! — ^you are come
I hope intending to gratify my nearest wish!" These
were his first words to those whom he addressed as they
greeted him with the warmth of true friendship.

" We are,*' replied Arthur, unequivocally. " The
ceremony can be afterwards performed by my grand-
father when we all return to the lodge together." ;

" Ah ! that will be a happy day indeed !" ejaculated
Jane.

" May we live io see it !" exclaimed Oiinton. The
Pirate responded an emphatic Amen, and then spoke
with the turnkey at the door, who brought the priest
back to the cell (for he had gone to take dinner), and
fhe voung lovers were soon united in the indissoluble
bo^ids of hymen in that ill-omened place.

As the priest was in the act of pronouncing the closing
wordii of the ritual, a sudden gloom darkened the cell,
and H peal of thunder reverberated awfully through the
prison. Jane trembled. The Pirate was startled. The
priest crossed himself. To make the adverse influences
of tie hour more impressive, the turnkey'is raven lighted
on fho stone in which the outer window bars :^ere fixed,
and saluted the nerves of the bridal company with
severj^l loud croaks from her " hollow beak." Light-
ning fl'Jshed vividly into the cell every minute; the
thtmder boomed, and burst, and rumbled, and rattled,
with incessant violence ; then came down the rain as it
might have done in the beginning of the great deluge —
not in a pattering fall, but rushing, sweeping, smoking,
headlong from the heights of heaven to the pavement,
apd rebounding upwards from it with the violence of
the contact. ,. ,

THE CANADIAN GfRT.

613

((

The filements are more congenial with my fortunes
at present than with yours," moodily observed the Pi-
rate to the brides and bridegrooms. *' Joy is a brief
prison guest. Nevertheless, may heaven bless your
marriages with long years of peace and bliss!"

A bright beam of sunlight shot into the cell, and
suddenly exhilirated the spirits of the newly wedded.
The rain ceased almost instantaneously. The raven
flew off! The turnkey's wife hung outside her parlour
in the court a woodlark in a cage, which sung so rich
and joyous a strain as nothing could excel. It was in-
expressibly touching. Jane wept quietly as she listened.
The Pirate looked toward the window with a softened
eye and lip, wishing that the black idea now coiled up
in his soul had never been admitted there, and longing
for some wise teacher to lead him to the arms of hia
forsaken Maker. The Pastor occurred to him. Jane
had often described his benignity, his excellence, and
his skill in healing the wounds of the sorrow-stricken
and the guilty. He would have hi.-n sent for. He would
have his instructions though he was a Protestant.
Perhaps they might bring him peace. He asked Mr.
Lee to write and say that it was his earnest desire to
see him. Mr. Lee replied that he had written to desire
his grandfather to conic, and that he had no doubt he
was on the road.

Clinton barkened to the bird's touching melody with
all his " rapt soul sitting in his eyes."

" This is our hymeneal anthem, Hester," said he.
" Is it not an incomparable one ? Where iij my pencil ?
I must fix the feelings it creates in an impromptu verse
or two."

5 M

If fl >

-i:

«I4

THB CANADIAN OIRI»

With gay rapiiity he sctatched down a few lines,
and, cat-ricri nveay with the thrilling impulse of the mo-
ment, sang t'nem to a low, old air, as the woodlark
censed her measure :^ — ■ '-.:

Sing on '. aing on ! tweet bird.

In thy captivi'y ;

Some who thy song have heaid
. A. re prisoners like thee.
; They weep to hear thy strain,

Wvoing them back again

To woodlands fresh and free,
.i' Where thou, sweet bird 1 should be.

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• Renew — renew thy lay !
il*. O, bird of eoi ring wingi

Though thou immured must stay,
Tet do not cease to sing t

• Thy voice is sunshine heard !
Flowers turned to sound ! Sweet bird
Sing ! Full thoughts cannot meet
Outlet, save thy warblings sweet.

" That is all 1 could manuficture," said t!»e vocalist,
breaking off his mellow tones. " The lead of my pen-
cil broke as 1 was using it, and I am not clever encugh
to compust' as I sing. Ah! the woodlark begins
again."

The turnkey inli.rrupt<;d tiieir enjoyment of it song.

" I hcJ.ve ntws lor you, Marquiii," said he. — " Your
trial is put off for a week."

" This will enable our lawyer to prepare bettor for
it," said Clinton, with gladness.

The lawyer was the same wiiu had assisted the Pi-
rate lo obtain liis inheritance; he was talented, as well

as honest -minded, and was throwing the whoie of his
mental |)jwers into the case. He had iumv grne to

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THE CANADIAN OIRL.

615

Montreal on purpose to have a secret interview with
Mrs. Markham, and had taken with him an outline of
the Pirate's defence.

" He thought it likely that he might return this af-
ternoon, in which case he was to come to my lodgings
immediately," observed Clinton. " We have much to
do together befr e you appear in court.'*

" Nicholas, leave him to his task," whispered the
Pirate, earnestly. " You have a wife now who demands
your most delicate and watchful tenderness. Her po-
sition with regard to her father is painful ; the cloud
which lowers over your fortunes must naturally tend to
dejpress her ; and the novelty of her change, together
with the unexhilirating circumstances that have attended
it, will require all your skill as a lover to deprrve of
their uncomfortable influences. Leav6 me now. For
her sake, dissemble your own anxieties. Take your
Hester to a more cheerful lodging than you say yoii
have at present ; and (o^ a day or two at leaist trtist my
concerns wholly to him we have spoken of '' ' < - ^

Clinton did as his father advised. He took rooms in
a villa situated in a beautiful spot a little without
Quebec, and thither conducted his fair bride. Close
by, the romantic recesses of a wood invited their steps,
relieved by a profusion of lucid streams and sparkling
waterfalls, leaping and dancing from rock to rock among
green and yellow moss and banks which retained their
verdure all the year. To this lovely and retired spot
they often went, happy — supremely happy — in each
others confidence, esteem, and passionate love. Clinton
took such pains to buoy up his wife's hop^^s for his
father's destiny, that ho not only succeede<l in raising

■-1

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616

riili CANADIAN aiRL.

them to a pitch hardly warranted by the stubborn facts
of the case as viewed by calm reason, but his own also.
Both persuaded themselves that he would meet with a
punishment more moderate than transportation. They
entertained little doubt, too, that what imprisonment
might be decreed him would be for a limited term, and
that his estates would be allowed to remain in the pos-
session of his family.

Jane was less deceived by imagination than her bro"
ther and sister-in-law. She was almost constantly with
her father during the hours allowed for the visits of
friends by the prison regulations, when from his manner,
and from words he occasionally let fall, she could not
but perceive that he was anticipating the worst She
did so likewise. Instructed and supported, however,
by the sensible counsels of her husband, she rose
superior to the indulgence of her own feelings, and by
the elevated tone of her conversation, strove to inspire
her parent with such holy thoughts as might illumine
his soul in the darkest hours that could befall. With
such a purpose it was no wonder that she grew eloquent,
that her words fell with a subtle fire from her earnest
lips, and that the extreme mildness which was wont to
characterise her gestures yielded to a chastened enthu-
siasm such as the meekest angel need not have blushed
to own. Arthur listened to her with the approval of
the Christian, and the fond admiration of the lover, oc-
casionally seconding her by his own judicious and un-
answerable arguments. ^

The third day after their bridal, they were with the
Pirate when the priest entered the cell, and, rather in a
surly way, warned the Pirate from holding too many

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

conferences with his heretical friends. He took no
further notice of the two present than by a very un-
courteous scow], tempered with the slightest possible
movement of the head. After questioning his penitent
something abruptly concerning his performance of the
act*of penance he had prescribed to him, which having
been somewhat lengthy and rigorous had bt-en but re-
missly performed, and telling him he should come to
confess him again when he was alone, went out, scowling
on the young Protestants as at his entrance.

" I should be very glad if my grandfather had ar-
rived," said Jane ; " I must think, father, you would
better like his counsels than those of this priest."

" Not now," said the Pirate, evasively. " I have
lived a Catholic, I believe I must die a Catholic.

" Believe me. Marquis, I know the great power which
long cherished opinions acquire over us," said Mr. Lee ;
** but permit me to say that it is the proper work of
reason, relying upon that divine assistance which is lib-
erally promised for her aid, to dispute their sway, when
convinced that it is to the prejudice of the soul they re-
tain it."

" Of course," rejoined the Pirate, obstinately cling-
ing to his prejudices in opposition to dawning convic-
tions in favour of a simpler and less sensuous faith, and
speakir:^ testily, " and were the ties which bind me to
my faith those of reason only, I might be inclined to
rend them away; but it is not so. You must speak to
me no more on this subject."

This interdict sealed the lips of both. Their disap-
pointment was great, but they strove to hide it ; conversed
aboi\t ancient Toby with the Pirate, dilated on several

1 ht
i

'«

018

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

remarkable passages of the deceased mariner's life, and
afterwards withdrew.

As thoy were passing across the court they again saw
the ])riest. He was conversing' with a Catholic prisoner
who had been allowed to take the air here daily on
r^^ccount of weak health. The father threw a fiownin<;
glance toward the pair^ and said with virulence to thp
man beside him, loud enough for them to hear —

" Heresy stalks abroad in our once Catholic Canada
with a bold face. By Jesu's mother, friend, it was dif-
ferent in the worthy days of our good forefathers!
Would we had such days now!" . ., ,f r ,^.^ ' i, . ,

" And if we had," said Arthur to his bride, who
shuddered at the priest's persecuting tone, " this man
would be the readiest to light the funeral pyres of Pro-
testant martyrs. What a fearful scourge is ill-dircctcd

Entering their lodgings Itesido the prison, the same
4hey had occupied before their maniage, Deborah throw
herself into Jane's arms and kissed her without ccrc-
moiiv<

*' O my darlin Miss Jane !" she sobl)cd, " I wish you
joy with all my heart ! and that's as thruo a word as
ever I laid in rny life. God bless yoii for ever, and yoUf
husband too ! Little I thought to sec the day when you
two would bo man and wife. Vot I'll be boinul there
were ii»'»er \\vo bettor matched ii. he world. You'll
forgive my freedom? — it's the fault of t :y heart. I am
so glad to see you married, I could cry a day and a
night !" < . . ' - ^. • . rv

AVhcn Arthur had shaken her warmly by the haiid,
ho poured out a brimming glass of w ine and handed it

Till'- CANADIAN OIRL.

611)

i> iriyttT iivv ivuT

la;!

to her, cordiullv smiling as hu exclaimed — " Drain it,

" That i will, Mr. Lee, and lave not a drop. Here's
to yonr health, happiness, and long life, and my Lord
Marquis' freedom !" ,-, ,. . , .

" In return I wish you may yet meet with O'Reilly,
and find him anxious and able to atone fur his past in-
constancy."

" Small hope of that,'* ejaculated Deborah, licr good
humoured face turning red all over. *' But I won't tell
a lie about it— I shouldn't be mighty sorrj, Mr. Lee, if
things were to conio about in thai w jty. And it's not
altoijethcr unlikely."

" Oh, you havo seen him then !"

" That I havn't. I havo heard of him thoujih."

" Let us hear the how a,nd where, Debby," cricil
Jane, with interest. .,.- ^ .:.....'. t . i

" You must know, darlin Miss Jane — **

*' Or Mrs. Jane," interrupted Arthur, archly. .

'• I beg a thousand pardons. Och I but I'm always
blumlcring ; I wouldn't bo Irish else. Well my darlin
Mrs. Lee, as I was saying, a little before the Marquis
was taken, I spies one of my own country at work in
the litth) leiuple where the last Marquis and Marchiniss
was to bi' buried. Up goes I to him as ho was polishin
a block of marble, and asks him t1>o news from darlin
oiiid Ireland in his mother tongue. Down drops his
tool. He wriii^rs my hand almost off— and kisses me
into thu bargin without asking lave. 'And is it you
vcr own silf, my Debby !' says ho. ' And is that you,
O'Reilly !' says I. And so I bursts out a cryin."

.. V ' 1 II i U- »» ll'll!»*l

" Y oil said vou luid not seen him.

It*!

620

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

■I, ii

** Sure, Mrs. Lee, he was so altered, I might woli
say that same. He was like another man intirely !"

" Deborah is the same as ever," remarked Arthur,
amused. '* She still retains her own peculiar notions
of truth and falsehood. But pray, Debby, what said
your inconstant of his wife ?'*

" He nivir was married at all," answered the Irish
girl with a beaming look of pleasure. " 'Twas all a
mistake. I will tell you about it another time, maybe."

** But is it a match between you V* asked Arthur.

" Maybe it is," was the oiT-hand reply " But
where*8 my young lord, and his new lady ? — I long to
see them!" >< , . ,.

Informed where they lodged, she went to pay them
her warm-hearted congratulations, and returned the
same evening.

" If I am not almost light-headed with the wine Mr.
Lee and my young lord have given me this day, I
wish I may nivir see you again, my lady ! But what do
you think ? — Roberts, my Lord-Marquis* valet, was
there at the villa ; and says he, * Debby, there has been
the Earl of Wilton hero to-day, and my lady and he
has had high words — he has gone off in such a tin*! As
>, I opened the door for 'i'm,' says lloberts, ' the Earl
muttered to himsilf— I shall nivir be mysilf again ! — my
eldest daughter married to the son of a public fillon !*
St. Patrick deiind me! who would have thought it!
♦ O indeed, Mr. Roberts,' says 1, * did the Earl talk
like that? Why he owed his li/e, and his youn;;ust
daughter's life into the bargain, to that same fillen, so
it^s not very purty in him, ut-all-at-allf to talk so h\f*.
Fillen, iiidced! Bad lupk to him that said the ugly

THB CAMAOIAN- OlSX.

621

word ! The Marquis is no more of a filcn than he him-
siif, barring his having been Captain of a Pirate-ship,
which nobody can deny.' '*

" Did you hear whether my brother saw the Earl V* ,
asked Jane.

" Yis indeed he did, my lady. But the Earl would
not spake to my young lord, and in course my young
lord wouldn't spake to the Earl. Sure enough nobody
can blame him for that**

" I am to suppose this scene took place before you
reached the villa ?"

" It was no scene at all, for they didn't spake, my
lady. L ,Jy Hester's eyes were red as if she had been
cry in. My young lord was saying all that he iver
could to cheer her. Roberts tould me that the Earl
had arrived only yisterday from Toronto to be a witness
aginst my Lord-Marquis at the trial. Bad luck to his
good-for-nothin' arrant, Mr. Roberts ? says I. * It
would have been a good job for the Marquis if he had
let the Earl drown on Lake Erie instead of picking him
out of it when he did.' Says Roberts, Fays he, * I must
say it's a very ungrateful return on the Earl's part.' ,
* Troth, and I think so, Mr. Roberts, says—' "

Deborah was getting too loquacious; Jane inter-
rupted her— >

** You heard nothing of Lady I^titia ?"

" That I did. She is in this town with her governess.
Roberts says, says he, * Debby, this is what cut my
lady to the heart more than any thing else, her sister is
not to see her or write to her.' ' Cruel indeed, Robcits,'
3iiys I. * But how do you know that f * Why,' says
htf, * 1 was called up into the drawing-room when tb«

fl'li

62S»'

.TB> CAKADXAN OIRI.

Earl was going. My lady came to the head of the
stall's with him — Do let my dear Letty come and see m^
once! said she, looking at him quite piteously. The
Earl gave her a most terrible angry iVown. No, sa^rs
he; if Letitia comes to see you, writes to you, or holds
any intercourse with you whatsoever, she shall no longer
liave a /kther in me ! — these were his very words — she
shall no longer have a father in me ! Then my young
lord comes out, and says he, proudly, Hester, ask him
no moro • there may come a time when he will regret
his present animosity. So he leads her back into the
room, and the Earl goes away without giving or taking
so much as one good-bye.' "

It was too late in the day for Deborah to visit the Pi-
rate, but on the morrow she was in the prison at an early
hour, and gave her master a very particular account of
all that had passed at Rougemont since he left it.
The estate was in the hands of civil officers, and the
servants had been under arrest until the preceding
morning, when they were removed to Quebec in pre-
paration for the trial, and allowed their freedom upon
proper responsibilities. Deborah had been thought by
the lawyer likely to prove an useful witness on the side
of the defence. • i -" •

The Pastor had not arrived up to the last day previous
to that appointed for the trial. A second letter had
beon dispatcluMl to hi in, und his arrival was hourly and
anxiously looked for by the Pirate and his children, who
al' concurred in the tear that he had been detained by
illness.

Clinton had received a compulsory notice from tlio
patticL- for the prosecution that he would be subjected

THE CABfAPlAN GlWf.

623

to a close examination bv the counsel for the crown,
his own written accusation forming the basis of the se-
,, veral indictments against the prisoner.

Mrs. Markham and the Governor were arrived at one
of the hotels in the city, and were in constant commu-
nication with the Earl and Letitia. The good lady paid
one private visit to Lady Hester and Clinton to congra-
tulate them on their unio-<i, and to assure them of her
heartfelt participation in their anxieties for the Mar-
quis. ■ r •

They parted with the expressive query — " When we
meet again will it be in sorrow or ia joy T**

iM' a i ' > '

tstom '>l{t litiw bst^O'* .(t'> itii vr.ii *i«l' I' 'viin/i .i.'j'

. »(- i " ";!«!» oln'.-'f't fit, ' fi.i.MU to 'I ■ • 'f «t»'i

,':»j', •voi.r«i""''' "I '"' ' Tii.i" -jli! fi <■: i'! in '■■ :;;' "
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• Ml ■■ •' .( jla^ic) •■ 'I'.'l' y^ul '»",'. /_;:• t''

624

THB CANADIAN Qlltl.

,■^<^■!•» -.;»; »ol h,' If JOT u!) vl m^ T« ■ ' • ^- h « »•

•il;,!'" I i»l JidJ-

'■■ fw..

; ..,/,. CHAPTER XXXVI.

ill » it ; '-. , / uii.y, |i; ^j|<-^

*' Between the ;i<:ting of a dreadful thing '

> h i( ->.'. And the first motion all the interim is i 'i'.if ''•!* i

Like a phantasma, or a hideous dream ;
The genius and the mortal instrumeiita
Are then in council t and the state of bmi^
Like to % little Unborn, enflen then
The nvture of an iniunrection."— SAoilfprara;

" k-.ti'^r, ! .-M"

Thb Pirate on tins day was engrosMd with the most
oppressive reflections. His eyes were obsenred to be
bioodsliot and rolling — their lids swollen — his large
forehead deeply furrowed— his nostrils enlarged — his
lips white.

While alone he walked unceasingly to and fro his cell,
frequently starting, and breathing forth such exclama-
tions as these, vehemently —

*' Just come to a noble name and inheritance, and
now to die so infamously ! Oh, dreadful ! Only a few
days and the hangman's fiendish gripe will be on my
neck ! the people will hoot and exult about me ! my
ey«;s will be blinded I the drop will be drawn from un-
der my feet ! my death-struggles will be hailed with
huzzas ! Oh ! the whole scene is pictured before mo ! I
see, 1 feel, all its horror ! And shall I endure it ? No 1

L^ita

tntf fiJ^kttm €>fftL.

I D«ver will ! The execution of my sentence shall be
anticipated. But how — ^but how ? No means have yet
orcsented themselves to my mind. The turnkey ! — shall
1 try him ? will it be safe ? Let me think. My old ac-
quaintance, that rascal at the Buffalo liin. Yes, yes, I
t-ee Ihe way."

■ The turnkey brought in his tea, and, as he u^s^aiiy
liid, lingered a little to talk of the weather, and news
connected with the prison afiairs. ^"*'

'* Are you rich ?'' asked the Pirate in a careless way.
l>* Rich, Marquis t No. Whatever could have made
)ou think I was rich? I have a large family, four sons
and three daughters, they keep a man poor, I can tell
you. My salary here isn't so good as you might think.
[ sometimes fancy I ought to have more, considering I
am so old a servant. My dame often says so. * But
what can't, be caved must be endured.' The governor
wont give me any more."

" I suppose you would have no objection to earn
fifty dollars in an honest way?"

*• In an honest way I should not. No, certainly. I*
only wish I had the opportunity. Fifty dollars wotild
put my youngest boy to a good trade and furnish him
with clothes. I have got his brothers apprer^ficed, but I
have had no means for putting him out.^' ^

** You arc ai< Englishman, I li^now ; but perhaps yoii '
understand French ?" ' '

" No, Marquis, I don't. I never Ifked the Fr'ench
people ; though I am here in the thick of hem, as one
may say, I never would learn their language. A '
ittie of it I may have picked up by chance, but only a ^

little.

*''iiS-

.,'iJ ,:^lf

4lL

920

THB CA.TAQUM OIRk

''' }\thA» jou caii .ea 1 1 '-is ?" I'he Pirate produced
a folded not' ami h>hi the superscription beibre the
turnkey, who pu; on h.> nectacles, and commenced
spelling it word by word with a good deal of patience.

" M. Andre, Buffalo Inn, St. Catherine Square. That
is tho English of it, Marquis," said he, at last. >

.. " Right. You are to understand that M. Andre is
an old friend of mine, and this note 1 have written for
him. The contents are French — you can make them
out I hope."

" I will try. Marquis." He commenced his task, and
went through it perseveringly, aided by the prisoner,
who helpod him to a tolerable comprehension of the
linos.

, " You wish ti.'s old friend of yours. Marquis, to re-
ceive with this note a walch and seals, on condition that
he sends for mv use a dozen of the innkeeper's best
wine in return for my kindness to you." ■ ,

, *« That is exactly right." "•

" I am bound to thank you, Marquis; and when I
drink your health out of them I shall wish you a clear
acquittance before judge and jury ." , j|,.i/» / Ino

»»

" The rest of the note.* r t • -' * ■^f-r— • /jr 't'l
' " I am coming to it. And you request M. Andre to
send by my hand a bottle full of a tonic wine, composed ,
according to a receipt of your own. It is — what are
these words. Marquis ?" ''\; ^^ttWi liin frt !>imi

," An excellent restorative.*' noh ' .*i, '*

,^' An excellent restorative. You wish to take it while
V )ur trial is gomg on. Very well. Marquis, I have read
^he note. I suppose you want me to gel it taken for
you to M. Andre. I have no great objection, though ;

THK CANADIAN UIRL.

eal

if it were known 1 might lose my place. I can send
mv youngest girl with it this evening."

" Do so, and give her a new Sunday frock for her
pains. This is but a trifling favour, turnkey, as it may-
seem, and I am willing to pay high for it — but the truth
is. you have been obliging to me since I have been
under your care, and I wish to reward you. By the
way, friend, though this is but a trivial affair, yet, for
your own sake, yoti will confine the knowledge of it U
ourselves. Perhaps you had better say nothing of it to
your wife even until you have the wine in, then you
may bribe her with some of it to be cautious."

' " Women never keep a secret, Marquis," said the
gratified turnkey, with a slirewd smile. " No, no, T
shall tell her nothing about it. There will be the wine
and ilu- fifty dollars, and 1 snail say you have made me
ji present of them, tnat's all. My little girl is playing
in the court now, finish the note, sir, 1 will give it to
her at once."

The Pirate wrote a few additional words and again
presented it to the turnkey, eyeing nim with a covert
glance of penetration as the latter brought his spectacles
to bear upon the conclusion of the page.

<' I can't make out this," said the man. " Sal —
salara — salira — what is it ?"

I'he Pirate boldly read the names of several poisonous
ingredients for his ionic wine.

" Well, 1 suppose it's all right — fasten the note up.
I never heard of those things you have written down,
but I suppose they are all very good."

" Admirable medicines for my purpose, friend," re-
turnea the Pirate with marvellous steadiness. " Here

TBE CANAPIAN OIRL.

}s the watch. Remember you are not to give it until
the bottles have been delivered to you. He will bring
them to your room."

" And the dollars?" said the turnkey, going.

*' Depend upon having them when I receive \1}Q tpfiiQ

wine.

Away goes the turnkey, supposing that he was going
to do himself a benefit at no one's expense The note
had been shown to him with such openness that any
misgivings he might have been likely to entertain re-
garding tKe errand lie was upon were completely dis-
armed. The Marquis looked ill, and what was more
likely than that this medicine he had written to his friend
for had done him good formerly and would be likely to
do him good again?

The little girl was dispatched with the note, and re-
turned with an answer in French for the Marquis, whirh
ti)e turnkey, after he had made out all tlcit he could of
it to assure himself that all was right, took to the cell
himself.

The Pirate smiled with stem satisfaction as he scanned
tlw lijie- —

" M. Andre will bring the medicine for his fiicnd
after dark to the turnkey's rooms, and receive the watch
and seals. The dozen of wine will be brousfht at the
same time; but as they are first-rate importations, and
M. Andre is at present short of money, he feels himself
under the very uncomfortable necessity of rcquestiiiLj
that five louis-d'ors be paid for them on delivery."

" Your friend writes rather coolly. Marquis," o'.s-
gerved the turnkey, a little surprised. tivmh '*

*' O it is his way — he is an odd fellow," refurned tljf>

■'; i

TUK CANADIAN OIKL.

Pinto ; ** blunt, but kind hearted. Here aria the
louis-d'ors for him. J hope the wine will please you.**

" You are very generous."

** Bring the medicine to me as soon as ever you get
't, turnkey." , ^;j

* Directly, Marquis." '^

** And then there will be the fifty dollars for you to
clothe and apprentice your son with.'*

" True— many thanks to you I" * ». ^ - 1. ^:

The man disappeared once more. In his presence
the Pirate had maintained the most absolute self-mastery.
He had been calm and cheerful to a wonder. Now he
changed. His mind was on the rack until the re<ap-
pearance of the turnkey. He did not flinch from his
dread intentions; every moment saw his resolutions more
knit to them ; he only feared their being frustrated by t
discovery. 'Mf il>.rii:iirt

iri'M. Andre had been formerly a privateer in his ser*
vice^ but for some time past had been living as a prac-
tised gamester in Quebec. The Pirate had seen him
only a short time before his arrest, and M. Andre had
laughingly promised that if the Marquis should get
" cribbed," he had only to send to him for a dose of
poison and it should be at his service with all the plea-
sure in the world.

M. Andre was sagacious enough. He knew well the
pride of the Pirate, and, in making this offer, he had the
fullest conviction that it would be accepted some day or
other, and produce him a golden advantage.

When the turnkey's little girl brought the note to
him, he at once saw through the contrivance, and re-
membered his own promise It happened, as fite

630

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

would have it, that he had been very unlucky in his
profession lately, having been expelled two celebrated
gaming resorts for using loaded dice and marked cards,
hence he was particularly needy at present ; all his
superfluous clothes had been converted into meat, and
drink, and lodging, by the process of pledging; his
gilt chain was still exhibited, but, alas ! no watch re-
mained thereunto appended ; his dress coat still gloried
in the most fashionable cut, but it was his oldest one
and very threadbare ; his shirts were reduced to ruflles,
wristbands, and collars ; his showy evening waistcoats
to one that was double-breasted, of shabby check ; while
his hat was completely destitute of wool. .L >i>(iiulj

Under these pressing circumstances he proceeded,
without pity or remorse, to obtain the fatal compound
the Pirate desired, and when darkness closed over the
prison, presented himself at the turnkey's door with it
under his cloak. The little girl who had brought the
Pirate's note to him opened the door, and, seeing who
it was, nodded her head very knowingly, for she was
proud of being trusted with any thing like a secret by
her father, and whispered —

. " If you please, sir, give me the bottle, and I will
carry it to my father."

" No, no, my pretty little girl," said ihe wary gen-
tleman, " go you first to your father and tell him to
bring the watch and seals — he will understand what 1
mean."

" Very well, sir ; only please to come in and sit down
in this little kitchen here till I come back — I shan't be
a minute.'* >"" 'r .•^'' "♦•d

She was no longer. The turnkey came with her '

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

031

f>ViSir,you have brought the medicine for your old
friend the poor Marquis ?"

*' Here it is," said M. Andre, setting on a table a
wine bottle, *' and much good may it do him. It is
prime stuff. Whoever drinks of it once will ail nothinsr
after."

*' Is it so good ? Really ! I should like to taste it,'*
said tUu turnkey, holding the bottle to the ligiit with
some curiosity.

'^ I wouldn't advise it," observed the gentleman,
drily. " It might not agree with you."

^' I thought you said it would cure every person's
complaints?'*

" So it will— hem ! — one way or other — hem ! Ob-
serve now, if it agree with a person it proves his cure by
making him live long, (always supposing he does not
come to be hanged) ; if it do not agree with a person,
it proves his cure too, for it rids him of all diseases by
—killing him." v i woii

" A very singular tonic wine, sir. Has your friend
often taken it before do you know ?" ..(BVinj ji. *

'* I should imagine that he has not," answered the
gentleman, smiling jocosely. " It is rather too powerful
in its consequences to be often indulged in. It is not like
the wine I shall have the honour of introducing to your
notice, Mr. Turnkey, that a man may enjoy again and
again with unabated delight. Allow me to do myself
the pleasure of drinking the healths of yourself and
family in it this evening. I love good company such
as yours, sir, exceedingly."

" I shall be much flattered I am sure, sir, if you will
come and take supper with me at nme. Then we will

<EII

)V ■

632

THH CANADIAN OWL.

empty a bottle together. The Marquis told me he had
ordered a dozen of the best for me.'*

" With the greatest pleasure in the world, Mr.
Turnkey. Permit me to inform you that I despise the
pretensions of empty pride. I am at any man's ser-
vice, sir. I would dine, or sup, or breakfast, or tea, or
drink ale or wine, or r.iy other liquor, with the poorest
man of my acquaintance who was merry. Sir, I love
good company exceedingly ! and I can see that you are
such — I can see it in your eye, sir — and I will come to
supper with you at your own time, and you shall sing
me a song, and tell me some of your best jokes."

" Peggy," said the turnkey to his little daughter,
*' go and tell your mother to dish up a prime supper
for me and this gentleman as soon as she can. Mon-
seer, you will fetch the wine, and while you are gone
Peggy shall light a fire in my parlour and spread the
tablecloth." (•«.*. i;tiu m ;', ; ..?oi «Ttui u' n-

" Bravo, my fine fellow ! You are just the hearty
old soul I like !" exclaimed the gratified Andre, charmed
at the prospect of an evening's gratuitous entertain*
ment. " B.t where are the watch and seals ?"

They .veru handed over to him, together with the
luuis-d^ors fur the dozen of wine, with which our ad-
venturer departed. On the outside of the door policy
began to whisper that no farther profit was to be reaped
from the affair. He had the watch and godd, but if he
bougiit the wine he shouhl have to part with a con-
siderable portion of the gold — a thought not to be che-
rished for a moment. M. Andre pulled his hat over
his brows \n a decisive manner, drew his cloak close up
to his chin, turned ofi" into a bye street, entered a place

THB CANADIAN QIRL.

633

i^fe^ted with sharpers, and emerged no more into tne
open air until the sun had again risen and had ascended
far up the eastern sky.

The turnkey brought the poison to the Pirate, who
then put into his hand a note for fifty dollars, to-
gether with a breast-pin containing a stone of value,
" Which," said he, " if 1 should be condemned at my
approaching trial, you must look upon as a dying man's
token of acknowledgment for the kindness with which
you have softened the rugged hours of a dreary con-
finement."

The turnkey was affected by these words.

** Ah, poor gentleman !'* sighed he, as he walked back
through the wards on his way to the sifpper, " he is
not long for this world, I can see. He has had death-
tokens more than once. Qod help him at the worst !
He is a generous *;tobl.emi»o. Pjerhaps be would have
done more good if he had lived than ever he did harm.
A Pirate they say he has been. Well I don't think for
my part he ever could haye been u very cruel one. 1
hope to my heart he may get off.'"

Arrived in his owii snug parlour, where his little girl
was puifing with a pair of bellows at a stovp half full of
burning chips and coals, he hastily inquired if the gen-
tleman had come back with the wine, ai^d if mother had
all ready.

The answer was satisfactory with regard to the SJippe;-,
but no gentlcmau he.d made his appearance yet with the
dozen of wine. *

" Ho will be here presently," said the turnkey, settling
in for a jovial eveninjr. " Light up two mould candles,
my little girl, and let me have a pipo to puss away the

4 M

. < I

THB CAKADUN OrHt.

time till lie comes. Poor Marquis ! how I do seem to
feel for him!"

Slipper time came, and the supper with it, the candles
burnt brightly, so did the fire — but no wine — no gen-
tleman. ' >' ' '

** I will step to the inn,'* said the turnkey, " it is
not five RMDutes walk. Keep the soup hot."

He cante back without th» gentleman. M. Andre
had not returned to the inn — had not purchased any
wine of the landlord.

" And they tell me," said the turnkey to his wife,
with a very red face, *' that he is a scoundrel who livfs
by gamiug, and no gentleman at all t It is very stranoc
I will go and speak to the Marquis directly, and know
\vhat that stuflf was in the bottle I carried to him.

** Why what do yuii thini. it was ?" asked his wite.

" Poison f* was the brief aniwer.

rUB GANA1>IAN OIP.L.

635

Ie»

dre
iny

ife,

Vt'8

)oir
e.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

. .. ..:t

* The mullitudo wan gaiing silently ;
And, aitho culprit posned with dauntless niiop,
Tempered ditdain in his unaltering eye,
Mixed with a quiet smile, shone oilmly forth." — Sheiltij.

I. "li

5»'<

EiTBRY approach to the prison was crowded with a
4cn8e mass of people from the first dawn oriir;ht on tho
day of the trial. The case excited an interest unpartrl-
leled in Canada. The noble and ancient family from
which the prisoner was descended, and the munificent
hand with which he had scattered blessings on the poor
and needy since his adoption of his inheritance, moved
the multitude strongly in hi« favour, especially the
French-Canadians, who were more zealous for the
iionour of their old nobility than for the strict adminis-
tration of British justice, to the worth of which, indeed,
they were little alive, clinging rather to the old forms
of society as they existed under the feudal system.

All the tenants of Rougemort and most of their class,
the hnbitmi/t, or small farmers, resident round about,
had li'H their rrsppniivc eniplovnients and hastened to
Q!ip'i'>r, anxiniis lo lojirn, an s<H)H as it should he piven,
th»j rloi ision of tiir Ein-li'^h inrlfjc, which was to decide

636

TUB CANADIAN GIRL.

V .

the fate of the seignior whom they greatly honourecP fof
the sake of his brave French ancestors, and whom thev
had begun truly to love for his oWn nobleness of dis-
position. Tiiese persons, vnth quick and ardent tem-
peraments legibly written on their saddened counte-
haiices, were gathered togethei* close to the place wherein
the trial was going on, and as varying news reached
their eager (>ars from persoils passing iti and out relative
to the progress of the case, the liveliest feelings of hope
and apprehension, joy and gloom, became apparent in
the workings of their dark features, and in their viva-
cious gestures.

The British-Canadians were far indeed from sharing
in the high-wrought and romantic sentiments of their
neighbours. In all the pride of superior enlightenment
they looked down with disdain on them as enslaved
to ignorant prejudices, and took a mean pleasure id tlit;
hui Sling of one oi their most venerated families on the
present occasion, anticipating the public hanging uf the
seignior Marquis with manifest delight.

The wags among the latter party could not let so
e.KccUcnt an opportunity for annoying tho French pass,
they soon began to taunt them in a manner most trallin«>.
The high-spirited halitans returned looks of keenest
With, but for some time unanimously restrained them-
seivc' from giving any other utterance to their feelings.
The English, instead of allowing themselves to be
taugivi by this noMj forbearance, only grew the more
insoiorit. It was not in nature to endure more. A stout
farnc^r, in grey ct.pot and bonnet bleu, began the retort
(fV n arj.'!'ruent Wu/twMWJ, luj logicians say, which bI-
li'.iccd ilia wordy assailant by knocking him down. This

'1
i» 'I

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

037

iras the commencement of a serious affray, which did
tiot end until many lives had been sacrificed to national
and relio^ious animosities. The military for some time
only made bad worse, by their injudicious violence.
The French fought desperately with their stout sticks,
and with wood knives that some of them carriv^d in the
sashes around their ly.iists.

" Vivat the Marquis of Rougemont ! Vivat the noble
Marquis ! Doath to the Prot'^stants !*' shouted the ex-
cited French.

The English retorted with fries of equal animosity.

" Force the prison! Let u free the Marquis!" at
last rose stunningly on the heaJng of the alarmed au-
thorities of the British, who st ovo in vain to prevent
this proposition from being carr ed into effect The wall
was scaled at once by hundreds 3f the French, the doors
burst open, and the Marquis brought out from the very
court of justice,

" Ride, Marquis !— ride for your life !" shouted the
hundreds of habitant who surrounded him after they
had almost compelled him to mount a horse. " On to
Rougemont ! We will defend you there against the
Protestants ! Let Iheni who dare try to take you fron
your mansion ! We will sell our lives dearly before you
shall b(3 in their power again !"

"Hear me! hear me. Catholics!" exclaimed the
Pirate, vtaving his hand to win attention, and olevating
his mighty voice as formerly he had done on the sea,
when the tumults of his bund,- and the roaring of thu
ulenuMits, combined to fill tho air around him with deaf-
eumif soumls. " Though tlio gallows wore at this mo-
ment cruclcd bul'oro nie, u;id though the price of nij*

if'

:^ii

638

THU CANAniAN QIRI«

return to the hands of those who were just now se<irchm<r
into my past crimes were instant death by the infamous
halter on that gallows, yet would I not fly from here !
Friends of- the Pope! you see this blessed symbol I
elevate, this 'iruciPx, you see me kiss it, while I swear in
the presence of these open skies, which now for the last
time I behold, that I will not fly except by compulsion !'*

The Canadians looked amazed. Every one made a
stop and spoke rapidly to his fellow. The next impulse
that swept across their excited spirits urged them lo
carrj him ofl^by force, which they accordingly did, fol-
lowed by the military, who, firing upon them as they
fled, marked their track with blood.

The French body were re-enforced as they went by
great numbers of volunteers belonging to the militia,
well-trained, well •armed men, who encountered the
soldiers boldly, while the hahitan* were placing the
Marquis in a carriage with four horses.

It was not until the French had advanced sevt'ial
miles beyond Quebec *hat they were overcoino, and (ho
prisoner retaken. Thirty or forty men mjto left 'lead
in the road, pierced with musket-balls and bavoiut
wounds.

The whole time occupied with the disastnnjs riut «as
about four h^urs only. It cntled witli the Mar(|ni.<«
being taken hack to the court, and ti>o town helm;
guarded with soldiers from end to end^ as if auticijMifiiig
an invasion. Governor (jencral Markham rode throiij/h
all thustrei'ts with hisstall-oflicers, and his sword drawn ;
the shopH wt>re »htit up with haste, aud the Brititih
trembled at the storm they had rashly and wanton! v
drawn upon thcmsclTes.

THF. CAVA 1)1 AS tilRL.

C39'

The trial begfan anew. The imlictmeiits were read a
second time. The first charged the Marquis of Uoii^e-
niont with having been an aider and abetter in the mutiny
nl' the sailors under the command of Captain Barry,
with having shared in the plunder of his ship, and been
accessory to his murder, having been present during
tlie perpetration of the act. This indictment was Cuunded
on the fatal writing Clinton had formerly given to Mr.
Lee.

Tl»e second indictment charged him with h*. ' ^
headed a party of Pirates, who, for many years, had
been in the practice of robbing small vessels on the
;rreat lakes of the Upper Province. In connexion with
this charge a number of acts of plunder and violence
that had been from time to time committed by this gang
of wretches were laid against the prisoner.

The principal witness tor the prosecution was Brien,
who had been admitted king's evidence. His statement
ran thus, when divested of its sea phrases and its cum>
bersome detail :— ' -

*' I was second mate on the Antelope at the time
.Anderson was first mate. I first made him acquainted
with the intended mutiny, and he agreed to take the
command of the men as a smuggler and pirate on the
lakes. 1 had a small sum of mon^ at the time, and
proposed to buy a vessel suitable for our purpose, the
money to be rejiaid to me afterwards by Anderson. After
Barry's death I found on his cabin table this paper,"
handing to the lirnclt the list of mutineers he himself
had given the old tuptain, under which the latter had
written some aillrtitig romonstrancpfi to Anderson, whose
name was first uu tlic list, and in whom lie confidwU

li '-^

640

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

.|i i

" Anderson was present while Rirry was murdered,*'
continued Brien, " and made no effort at all to sa\o
him, but, on the contrary, offered to me while he was
dying, before him, t\> take the command of the band &n
I had pro)K>sed."

A shudder here ran through the veins of the listeners
in the strangers gallery, and there was an audible mur-
mur of horror. One universal gaze was turned on the
dock, where the prisoner stood drawn up to his full
height, his eye fastened on the witness, and hi^ lip
curled in supreme disdain.

" Barry's ship was sunk after it had been emptied of
ai' "ts property, which Anderson took charge offer the
ban.i ; the passengers lives were spared, bqt Anderson
took possession of all their goods."

He went on to give a circumstantial account of the
several cases of robbery afterwards committed by the
Pirates on the lakes, under the direction of Anderson,
and then bore a sharp cross-examination very cleverly,
considering that he had sworn to so many falsities, con-
cealed so many facts of importance that would have
told favourably for the })risoner, and had in his details
so embellished and adiled to the real circumstances of
(he case. •

A long succession of witnesses substantiated the im-
|iortiint testimonies of Brien, and the strangers present '
i-iuked upon the Marquis as lost.

But now the prisoner produced his evidences, and de-
(Vnded himself in a most able manner, so that the tide
• it feeling turned in his favour, and the heartiest wishes
were breathed, and the liveliest hopes entertained tor
Ills ac juittal.

il'-

tido

iihcs

lor

TrtH CANAlilAN ..IKL.

Uli

l*ho inTV wiVhrirow to consult iJixm tlii'ir virdiiJ.
■liter tlu' jiiilij-j' li.id jriven such .i cliar^o to tliciu as (on
plainly sliowcd his ojiinions wore nnfavoiiruMe in tlio
Man|nis.

In this solemn pause the court was intensely hushed,
and all eves wore fastened on the man who was awailinji
the flat of life or death. Close by him stood the graceful,
shinder person of his son, whose agitation excited the
j)ity of all. The Marquis himself appeared rcmarkahly
collected and firm except when he looked on his son, op
toward one seat at the lower end of the court, where sat
his daughter with her husband and her sister-in-law,
tkc7i, his powerful frame visibly trembled, his eye was
clouded, and his foiehead grew wrinkled a-s if with some
spasmodic anony.

The jury returned. The foreman spoke low, but his
whisper reached the iarthesl listener, and the dread
word was — guilty !

A harrowiuff female shriek rung awfully through the
assembly frmii that seat to wbi«;h tiic Piratt; had no often
lMok<'d.

'• It is hisdauirhter," was wliisuereil alioul ;uid some
tender-hearted women wept for her as she was earried
out.

The f»M*eh«>ad of the prisoner contracted itself still
more p.iinlully until the door was closed after his
wretched child, then he onee more braced himself to the
occasion, and stood listening with deep alteiitioii to the
solemn and alVecting distress of the judge, and to his
final cotii/pmnaliou, which was so worded as to extinguish
everv ray of hope.

At the conelusiou he graspetl the hand of Clinton

642

THE CANADIAN 01 RL.

who looked as one that in old days had seen a comet,
bewildered, horror-struck.

" Bear up, Nicholas," said he; " do not flinch trom
this great trial. Stand firm under the shock, and help
me to endure it bravely !**

** God of heaven 1 Bear it 1" muttered Clinton,
wildly ; and that was all he could say, for he was well
nigh choaked with the agony of his disappointment.

" Bring Jane to me immediately," said the Pirate,
and, presisinor his son*s hand once a<rain. he turned ivitli
renewed calmness to follow the turnkey to his cti).,

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CHAPTER XXXVIII.

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** Ay ! I hid planned full many k Mnguine leheni* , , , i ,
Of earthly happiness — romantic schemes—
And fraught with loveHnest ; and it is lard »> *' ' > i

To feel the hand of death arrest one'a steps,
Throw a chill blight o'u all one's budding hopes.
And hurl one'b soul untimely to the shades."— XiVAs Whittt

*' O night and <hades ;
IIow are ye joined with hell in triple knot i"— Milton.

<*».»

Thb execution was to take place on the sixth day
from the trial, and yet the much looked for Pastor had
not arrived, neither had he answered eitherof the letters
that had been sent to him.

** I could have wisnea to see your mother^s father,"
said the Pirate to his children, as they sat with him ab-
sorbed in excessive grief. '' It would have comforted
me to hear him say he forgave me for the sorrows I
brought upon his daughter."

" I will go to the valley if you wish it," Clinton
proposed, in a scarcely audible voice.

" By what time do you think you could return?"

*' I should travel all night," was the reply, ** and
therefore you might expect to see me here the next
morning but one, at the latest, with or without tne
Pastor."

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THB ^AKAI'-IAN GIRL.

The Pirate reflected, and then decided —

*' You shall go, my son. I will send a letter by
you. I need not say do not linger there — your society
now is precious to me, and my time is short."

Clinton's sensihililies were wrought to their highest
pitch by tins allusion ; he leaned on the top of his chair
for support, while his countenance changed, and a groan
escaped him.

The sight of a man overcome by the pangs of feeling
is heart-rending indeed ! The turnkey, who stood by
the door, wiped his eyes twice, and the condemned was
powerfully moved, though he retained his firm bearing.
Jane's tears and moans of agony broke out afresh, until
the scone became too overpowering to be endured. Mr.
Lee then bore his fainting wife in his arms from tlie
cell to the open air, whither Lady Hester and the turn-
key assisted Clinton, w'liu was convulsed and nearly in-
sensible. Medical advice was immediately resorted to,
but wlio knows not that medicine can be of little ser-
vice to a " mind diseased?" n' I < ; is<u^ »• i .f< f.ul *,

However, Clinton was soon preparing for his journey
to the valley. It was arranged that Lady Hester should
stay with Jane until his return. He refused to take
his servant with him, but set out alone on horseback,
near nightfall, intending, as he told his anxious wife,
to hire a guide at the first village he reached. i ■

For five hours he rode without stopping at the swiftest
pace his horse was capable of The road then became
so dark and rough that he was compelled to 'make a
pause. In the sky^ clouds intercepted the weak beams
of a nev/ moon ; on one hand stretched a dismal swamp
of immense extent, wlicre only a few scattLifd tpruco

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

645

trees, melancboly and spectre-like, broke the monoto-
nous level : on the other, appeared a low range of stony
heights, destitute of trees or verdure. The wind howled
over the cheerless scene, and screaming carrion birds
lent to it a fitting voice. In Clinton's pfesent frame of
mind he rather liked the dreariness that surrounded him
than otherwise, and might have said — ; .' <;; ^^ >•)!

: [ ,, " It suits the gloomy habit of my soul." ' _,;. twii-j ,

But he was impatient to proceed ; and, seeing a glim-
mering light at the foot of one of the stony heights,
turned the animal he was upon in that direction.

" Hollo ! Who is within ?" he cried, striking the
narrow door of a dilapidated cabin with his riding whip.

The light instantly disappeared from the window, and
tlic footstep he had just heard became silent.

" They must have heard me, and do not choose to
open the door," saia he to himself, after he had waited
on his horse full five minutes, and had knocked re-
peatedly. ; ■ ■ M , »- '* : - .1' > -

He threw himself from the saddle herewith, and lifted
the rude wooden latch. The door immediately swung
back on its hinges, and that with such suddenness as
to cause him to start back in some surprise. A few
sickly gleams of light from the moon then fell directly
upon a tall, slouching, weather-beaten figure, brown as
an Indian in the face, and having such an expression of
savago hatred in the hard lines connecting the features,
that Clinton instinctively felt for his arms. ; ;..„/ „, <

" Is it you, Mr. Clinton ?" said this personage, with
a strange satisfaction playing in his ill-meaning glance.
" It was not in natur' that I should expect to see you
here, so you must not bo affronted at my keeping you

640

THE CANADIAN Gini.

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outside the door awhile. This is an ugly, desolate spot.
1 was on my way back from a lumber-yara overland to
ihe west, where I have been changing some maple boards
into dollars, when I came in the way of this tumble-
down cabin. I was tired and hungry, and did not over-
much mind crossing the swamp after sundown, so I
pitched camp here, shot a turkey, lit a fire, made a
supper, and was just settling in for a sleep in my blanUot
on the ground when you disturbed me. But come in,
Mr. Clinton, come in, and let me know where you come
Irom, and where you are going." '

" 1 should as little have expected to meet you hero.
Farmer Joshua, as you expected to meet me!" ex-
claimed Clinton, in accents of an unpleasant surprise,
wiping off some of the flakes of foam from the panting
sides of his horse, then stroking and patting it as it
turned its head affectionately toward its master, re-
sponding to his kindly caresses. . •...

" Cover the cretur from the night air, it is sweating
all over," said the Settler. ** You have ridden hard
and far to brin<; it in that condition."

" I have come from Quebec since six o'clock," was
the rejoinder.

The Settler stepped backward in surprise. " That
boats all that ever I did !" he ejaculated. *' IM wagor
my right arm now there's a sweetheart in the case !'*

Mis attempt to bo jocfilar did not sit very easily upon
him — there was something forced in it — or perlia{)S it
was Clinton's distressed state of mind which made it to
jar upon his ear. '' ..i i !•:

The straw roof of the cabin projected considerably
out over one of the side walls., and under its shelter

THE CANADIAN OJRL.

'J17

reposed tbc tired limbs of a rough black pony, lo.itving
as wild and uncivilised as the Settler to wliom it be-
longed. It was tied to the sole remaining brancn of a
decayed tree, whose lower parts composed a raoiino of
roots, earth, and moss, which had been intermingling
there beside that desolate cabin, under the influence cl
sun and shower, for a century, and which now helped
to shield the poay from the bleak wind. Here Ciinton
also tied his horse, then entered the miserable abode
with the Settler, and drew near to a dull fire of sticks
which the latter speedily rekindled.

It did not seem that Farmer Joshua knew any thin
of the blight that had fallen on the family to whict.
Clinton belonged, though he was well acquainted with
his present rank. There might or might not be sarcasm
in the remark he made after he had invited him to eat
the residue of his wild turkey — . ,,,\ r ;,^, wmin

" My dame always said you were born to lead a gen-
tleman^s life, Mr. Clinton." , ;, .^, ;_ .^,;i-i;f;.i,,i <

The latter was then standing abstractedly gazing upon
the restless flames that played about the green wood
on the squalid hearth. For a passing instant, as the
Settler spoke, his thoughts glanced back to the days
when he had been an hospitably treated inmate of the
back-woodsman's farm, and he abhorred himself as his
conscience presented to him the base return he had made
to his liberal though illiterate friends. A slight colour
tinted his pile brow and cheeks, and his lips visibly
whitened with inward agitation. The Settler took up
his favourite position on a worm-eaten chair, one of
three found in the cabin, with liis long rifle upright
between his knees, and his chin resting on his hands on

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THE CANADIAN GIRL.

the oarrei ena. Clinton looked toward him, and was
staggered by the wild and fierce glitter of the eye which
mot his. There was concentrated hatred, and deadly

revenge in it.

Clinton rose to his feet alarmed, and plucked from a
breast-pocket a small sheathed dirk.

" You travel armed, I sec, Mr. Clinton," sneered the
Settler. " Your book laming wont protect you against
robbers and Indians, you think."

*' I do travel armed, Farmer Joshua," returned Clin-
ton, meaningly.

" That's well. No one can have any objections to
it, I suppose 1 For my part I have only my tough old
rifle to guard me," — he knocked the end of the shaft on
the ground. " But why do you stand flourishing your
dirk before me as if /was a robber? If you have money
about you I can tell you I want none of it. I have
money myself see," — ^lie emptied on the ground a purse
containing sixty dollare, which he directly proceeded to
pick up slowly and deliberately, and replace in the
receptacle from which he had cast them. ' '

Both he and Clinton had their backs to the door,
tlierefore neither saw the swarthy visage of u gipsy thrust
within it at this critical instant and withdrawn nt^ain.

A little ashamed of his hasty impression of alarm,
Clinton sat down again. He knew well that the heart
of the Settler was embittered ajrainst him, and he did
not wonder at it ; but he could not entertain the belief
that any personal injury was meditated against him by
the latter.

They now talked with a tolerable appearance of
cordiality of Farmer .Igshua^s crops, and his other do-

THB OANADIAN OIHL.

aastic affairs. Every one of his family Clinton in-
quired after by name, excepting only the wronged Dan,

At last Clinton cauld refrain no longer from asking
after him. • '^i- * ••• ' : ; :•

" He is dead !" was the steady answer, though the
voice was hoarse that pronounced it. >

" Never till this moment was I truly humbled!'* siid-?
denly ejaculated Clinton, breq^king frou) a painful re-«
verie, and speaking in broken accents. '•'' Humbleii
before man and God ! Until lately I have lived a life
of continual error ! Pleasure has been my sole pursuit i
And what have I gained ? — A conscience that is a per-
petual vampire, drinking my life blood ! a devil staining
every peaceful moment that arises for me with accursed
images of past wickedness, and future retribution! a
scourge of scorpions in the hand of a pitiless fury ! O,
damned hours in which I yielded to temptation !"

As with passionate energy he thus spoke he pushed
the chair back and paced the cabin, while the Settler's
whole nature was gathered up in one terrible purpose ojT
vengeance upon the destroyer of his son. ^ '•'

" Have you ever done any thing to trouble your conT
science, Mr. Clinton ?" he asked in affected wonder.

*' Y^s, Farmer Joshua, I have !" firmly rejoined
Clinton. '' I falsely accused your son !: — his ti^le w$ui
the true one — mine was false !" 01 . o-; < ;ivv - ;.

" Hell's curset on you, I know it !" thundered the
Settler, breaking all at once from his assumed qui^(i|(|e.
" You gentleman-rogue you, 1 know it ! The poor boy
was broken hearted through your soft sounding lies ! 1
turned him out of doors as a thief! and after he had
wandered I don't know where like a vagabond for two

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THE CANADIAN GIRL.

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years or more, without a living soul to say a good word
for him, he came back with hardly a rag on him ! ill !
dying ! famished ! in the midst of a storm that I wouldn't
have turned a cat out in ! and died as soon as he was
inside my door !" . f r, ,. .^

'* It is a dreadful story!" muttered Clinton, ** and I
have more right to the gallows than my father ! Farmer
Joshua, it is too late now to make a recompense to him
whose peace and life it seems I have been the means of
destroying, but if I could make you any kind of com-
pensation, I should be but too happy. Trust me, I shall
never though I live a thousand years, be happy again !
My punishment will be within ! there, though outwardly
I may appear perfectly at ease, will ever burn a flame
of remorse, dreadful, unintermitting!"

" Will that restore Dan to the mother who bore him ?
to the brothers and sisters who have been bred up with
him? to the home where he first saw light, and where
he was happy for twenty years, until you — you poisonous
snake ! you thievish fox ! came ? Will your remorse
that you talk about bring him out of his grave ? Tell
me that ! If it wont, talk to me no more !'*

" Your animosity against me is, I perceive, too deeply
seated to be at all shaken with any thing I can say,"
quietly returned Clinton, so softened by late occurrences
as not to be easily roused into pride or ire. •* I am sorry
for it, but I cannot blame you. The injury I have done
you is, I am quite ready to acknowledge, irreparable.
Nevertheless, should you, or any of your family in time
to come, be disposed to gratify me by accepting, in-
dividually or unitedly, a sum of money of any amount
within the scope of a moderate fortune, you may nave

THE CANADIAN OIRi:,.

it by application to me at the bankers of either Mon-
treal or Toronto. More than this is not in ray power;
if it were, you should prove, beyond a doubt, that my
sorrow for what is past is sincere and deep."

" Will your sorrow bring Dan out of his grave ?" was
the stern and forcible interrogation, ' '

" Would that it could !" exclaimed Clinton, with
pathos.

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" So say 1 !" echoed the Settler, speaking quick and
short. " But it wont— it wont ! And dare you talk to
me or mine of money ? Whose money ? Your money ?
Our hand should rot to the bones and marrow^ before
they should touch one cent piece of yours ! Compen-
sation to me too! Ha! ha! compensation! Harkye,
Mr. Gentleman, talking of compensation, ('tis a long
word and not often used in the settlements, but I un-
derstand it as it happens,) there was a time when law
was not heard of among the people I consorted with —
you have heard me speak of that time afore now — well,
if you and I were now living in that time I should make
myself a compensation in my own way, by choosing the
stoutest hickory branch I could find and hanging you
up on it ! That's the only compensation will suit me!"

'* I pass over your violent language, Farmer Joshua,"
returned Clinton, about to quit the cabin, " in con-
sideration of the provocation you have received. If we
ever meet again, I hope it will be when I can render
you some service. I had intended to stay here until
light dawned, but now I shall press forward on my
journey at once, for I cannot think of allowing you to
bear, one mjment longer, thesociety of an individual so
abhorrent to you as myself."

TBB CANADIAN OIBL.

^}' I'

The instant Clinton disappeared, the Settler looked
to the flint and priming of his rifle, and went out. The
object of his hatred was already mounted and on his
way back to the road.

*' There goes a vultur' screaming and wheeling round
and rottnd over his head," muttered the Settler. " That's
a 'cute bird. It smells death in him already. Aye,
there's something more than instinct in that cretur'."
Clinton looked up at it " Look again, my lamed
gentleman, the cretur' knows more than you do ot
what's Coming on you afore to-morrow." if fn. :

Herd he kneeled down on one knee, raised his rifle
to his shoulder, and deliberately pointed it toward
Clinton. The moon's crescent was in the middle of the
heavens, sailing behind a rack of watery clouds, which
fever and anon hid it from the view of earth. The Settler
Waited Until one of these obscurins: masses had been
{)assed by the silver queen of night, who then shone
but with the tender and chaste loveliness becoming her
youth. Alas ! that she should look down on such black
deeds as the sons of men perpetrate ! Alas ! that she
should look down on the most horrid and unnatural of
all crimes — fhurder ! which generally chooses the period
of her holy reign to stalk abroad. Perhaps she saw
many hellish murders done this night ; but it is certain
she saw none more determined, more fearful, than that
the Settler committed. > ' ' ^' v

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CAHADIAN OIRL.

65S

I I • - ■■(.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

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>, iimppotUible! O, h«avy hour I
MMkinks it should be now a huge eclipse ''

Df sun and moon; and the affrighted globe
Should yawn at alteration."'— qSW(<p«(ire.

•• And I have only one poor boon to beg :
That jou conrdy me to his breathless trunk,
With my torn robes ttr wrap his dearest head;
With my torn hair to bind his hands and feet ;
Then with a shower of tears
To wash htt clay*Ameared cheeKS, tad die beside him/'^'IMil.

■.'. ^

At the close of the last chapter the reader was left
to imagine the fearful death of Clinton by the hand of
an assassin. Prematurely he passed from this mortal
life to i

" The undiscoTered cotajtry * ...,-/' i.

From whose bourn no trareller returns.**

As the mother of Sisera looked out of the lattice
wondering why tarried her son's chariot wheels, so the
bride of Clinton, a second time widowed in an appalling
manner, but ignorant of the dire event, watched away
the weary hours at her window, looking eagerly and
fondly for him who would never return more. - .; -j ^^

" I had an impression of evil upon my mind when
he went away," said she to Jane, who had endeavoured
to persuade her that he must now be close at huid.

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654

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

" Last night was the time he appointed for his leturn,
now it IS nearly eleven of the forenoon, and still he is
not come. Where ! oh, where is he !"

She clasped her hands in an agony of apprehension
on her knees, her face still turned to the window.

*' He will . be here soon," said Jane, encouragingly,
passing her arm in an afiectionate manner around the
swan-like neck of the peeress.

" O, Jane, feel how my temples throb ! and how my
heart beats !" She took the hand of her sister-in-law as
she spoke, raised it to her hot forehead, and lowered it
to her left side.

" They do indeed!" exclaimed Jane in the softest
tones of sympathy. " But, my dearest Lady Hester !
suffer me to entreat you to be calm. Heaven can wit-
ness how I love my brother !" — tears gushed into her
eyes. " If I could entertain one serious fear that any
harm had happened to him, do you think I could look
thus 1 and speak thus ? But we must dismiss the shock-
ing idea altogether. My poor father demands all ray
thoughts.'' Her voice was choaked by emotion.

" You are gifted with an extraordinary degree of pa-
tience, or I should have received a much stronger re-
proof," said Lady Hester, turning to embrace her.
" Here am I inflicting upon you my foolish fears,
founded upon nothing probable, while you are weighed
down with real distress. There, 1 have shut the blinds
again. I will not sit here longer conjuring up all sorts
of frightful ideas to torment myself and you. Nay now,
my dear Mrs. Lee ! where is i/our fortitude ?" for Jane
was sobbing: with her face buried in her hands. ^■" '■ '

" In the Word of God, not in myself," replied Jane,

THE CANADIAN OIBL.

655

devoutly, wiping her streaming eyes. " My nature is
too v/eak to "bear the sorrows which are before me with-
out strength imparted from above."

" Happy should I be," exclaimed Lady Hester, for-
cibly, " it I could receive some of that heavenly
strength ! I feel that I may yet need it much ! But
there ajrain, I am indulging in weak fears as before."

" Cast ihem, with my sorrows, on Him who careth
for us!" ejaculated Jane.

It was just then that four Indians, bearing a litte- of
branches with a body stretched thereon, stopped at a
door I'.iider the window at which Lady Hester had been
keeping watch. Before the melancholy and dark-
visaged group the curious passers by beheld a venerable
English clergyman, with woe-stricken features, mounted
on a small horse, and by him the gaunt, slouching figure
of a backwoodsman, with a grim and wild countenance
spotted with blood, his hands tied behind his back, his
arms secured by ropes passed many times around his
body, and his feet made fast to the saddle girths of the
ragged pony he was upon. The rear was brought up
by a male gipsy on foot, and two servants of the cler-
gyman, farming men as they seemed. i / .i n i

A crowd rapidly collected, and a dreadful whisper
was speedily circulated — ''''found murdered in St. An-
tony's forest!" ; ,J ;.i.;.l'" .jj ,M?JU- •^J itiif^ilc^y'f.,.

" Who is he V was then heard from a hundred sub-
dued but excited voices — " Who is he ?"

" The only son of the condemned Marquis of Rouge-
mont," was the answer to this query, while the inmates
of the house before which the small procession halted
were coming out to inquire what had happened.

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THB CANADIAN GIBL.

Holy Mother be the consolation of his poor youvg
widow then !" cried a female in the crowd. " He wvt
only married a fortnight ago.*" i

" Poor thing ! poor thing !" ejaculated another wo-
man, mournfully, shaking her head. " This will be a
dismal sight for her. Jesu Maria ! what a shocking
thing ! The Marquis to be hung next Afonday, and
his son murdered to-day !"

" Hush Frances !" said a baker's wife beside her,
" tliere's the window opening, perhaps that beautiful
lady is his wife.

Intensely curious is human nature at all times to
know what, passes in its kind under circumstances of
strong interest, hence principally are places of execution
thionged,and hence, on the present occasion, there waij
a hasty pressure of the eager crowd toward the front of
the house as soon as the sash began to be raised,

A piercing cry from the lady thrilled through every
heart, as she glanced down upon the leafy bier beneath.
A coarse Indian blanket was thrown over it, concealing
the person of the murdered, but her heart told her too
plainly that no other lay beneath its folds than her owq
husband. A moment her white hands were elevated iq
horror, and her eyes flashed in distraction, before the
pitying multitude. Then down stairs she rushed,
screaming to Jane to follow her. The hostess at the
door in vain strove to hold her back. She spianjv out
over the threshold, animated with unquonchable love. '

" Set down the bier I" she commanded, confronting
tne Indians with a manner that admitted of no denial.

The Pastor threw himself from his honte in a iPMr
ment, and took hold of her arm.

lii

tHB CAKAUIAir OIRIi.

■ «* You were the wife of my grandson I belicy^/' >he
stammered. " Pastor Wilson is my name."

" fFere the wife, sir !" shefranticly repeated, ** I «i«i
his wife ! — Clinton's wife ! He left me three dfiys ago
to fetch you hither."

*' The providences of God are sometimes mysterious,"
observed the Pastor in a voice full of solemn pathos.
** His ways are past finding out. But, my dear lady,
let the men enter the house before you look at him who
has been taken from you so awfully and suddenly."

" Then it is my love whom these men are bearing ?"
gasped Lady Hester—" it is him ?" The latter were
lowering the bier to carry it into the house, she sprang
close to it, raised the blanket, and, with a harrowing
shriek, fell insensible on the pavement.

A carriage was proceeding along the street at a slow
pace on account of the throng, at the moment when Lady
Hester shrieked so piercingly in the first distraction of
her discovery. An aristocratic EngL'sh gentleman put
his head out of the window, and inquired of the b} •
standers what had happened. A youthful female face,
expressive of concern, also appeared as a reply was m^do
in French.

« Good God !" exclaimed the Earl of Wilton, for
he was the English aristocrat. " Good God ! the son
of the Marquis of Rougemont found murdered !" and
he sank back on his seat, looking at his daughter with
horror and amazement in his eye. ' *^v,n,i Kir,, ,.^, j

The blood curdled in Letitia's veins. For a moment
she was dumb ; then violently pulling the cnecK 8trii){>,
she seized the handle of the cavviaoo door, and threvv 't
open - '" *' ■''"' ■'"■' '"M»irK(* .F.tij'\j

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THE CANADIAN 01RI«.

*' Stay a moment, Letitia!" exclaimed her father,
*' let us consider what we had best do. Good God I
what a dreadful event !'* ;!- '"'.}■< s. r o.'i vf-^li •

But Letitia was not to bs kept back from her sister
now even by a father's command. She broke from his
trembling grasp and sprang out, followed by him.

Lady Hester recovered with great difficulty ; hysteric
gaspings for breath were attended by convulsions, and
followed by heavy sighs. At length she arose to her
feet, and, fastening her eyes, that were wildly dilated,
on the Earl, raved of her husband in a state of perfect
frenzy.

" Why do you return in this sad plight, Clinton ?"
she cried, with livid lips and cheek. " Why is there
blood upon ^our head and breast? Tell me who has
done it ? I am your wife ! You are precious to me as
my own soul ! Speak to me then ! and tell me why
you come back so changed! Ah ! how he melts away
— away — and I cannot follow him ! He is gone ! He
has left me alone for ever ! He has been murdered !
Ring the horrid sound through this world of devils!
Make it heard from polo to pole! He has been mur-
dered ! cruelly — basely — horribly murdered ! Let heaven
know of the damned deed ! Sound it abroad I Why
stand you ali gazing upon me, as though the blow had
stricken my brain and made me mad! 1 had a htisb.md
once who shot himself f I did not go mad then — shall
I go mad now? Would to God I could, or die with
hiitt I loved! How often have we sworn not to out-
live each other ! Ah ! ours was love indeed !''

" Hester! beloved sister! do you not know nie?""
cried Letitia, bathing her face with streaming tcius.

THB CANADIAN; OIR'..

65&

er
lis

• « Go— go,** muttered Lady Hester, pushing her
away—" my father wrill make your life miserable if he
knows you are with me.'*

' " Not so — I am come to be reconciled with you, Lady
Hester," said the Earl, by force restraining the emotion
he felt. " My dear daughter, forget what is past, and
let me take yoii to my own residence imn;ediately, my
carriage is here."

" If you are the Earl of Wilton I have nothing to
say to you,'^ said Lady Hester, instantly becoming
more rational, and her face changing from lividn^ss to
a flush of vehement anger. " It was you who caus«ed
the atrest of the Marquis, and embittered my husband's
bridal hours with grief for his father. I owe my present
anguish to you ! for his fatal journey would not liave
been undertaken had not the Marquis been condemned.
Do you call me your daughter 1 — I abjure the title !
You will never more, sir, have a daughter in me — I
shall never more acknowledge you for my father. Do
not stay here I beseech you, for your presence adds
fury to my grief! Qo away, and leave nie with the
ikar remains of him whom, when living, you disdained.
I ask not ^our sympathy for ray loss."

" But mCf Hester," pleaded the weeping Letitia.
" you will not send me from you ? I have no| grje^y.^d,
you knowingly." ■ : .

Lady Hester's reply was an agonising embrace, which
was accompanied with groans and sighs. The Earl of
Wilton was pierced to the soul with the repulse he hafi
received ; he felt acute pangs at having lost the love oi
his eldest daughter, but could not stoop to argue with
her a« his feelings prompted. ^^-^ '<

♦V).

:(<wVf

.•J.ly.,

Ft '

THB CANADIAN OIRIt,

Distraction again swept over the mind of the peferen.
She would not be hindered from going to the di»figuri9<i
body which now lay in an adjoining chamber. There
she seb8 the forehead, the neck, and the heart of her
beloved pierced with gun-shot wounds, about which
the congealed blood lay thick. The teeth are set as in
the last fierce pang of dissolution; the hands are
clenched ; the eye, half open, still glares a desperate
defiance from its overspreading film.
^ A mortal sickness shoots through the heart of the
bereaved bride, and again she falls into a swoon. Out
of this she revives as before to a state of frenzy, whicn
no medical skill is able to overcome, or even to subdue.
' Meanwhile, Jane is little less wretched, but she throws
herself on that heavenly Comforter who alone is able to
sustain the mourner in an hour like this. Her watchful
and tender husband also is nigh to soften the violence
of her anguish by his heartfelt participation i.i it. t

" Leave me alone awhile, Arthur," was her request
after the first shock was a little subsided, *' let me give
free scope to my misery, and pour out my soul before
my G^, then I shall be calmer."

He left her accordingly, and she joined him in au
hour self-possessed, and able to listen to her grand-
father's account of his finding of the body, and the
taking of the murderer, as well as to discuss with both
the best means of breaking the dreadful tidings to hei
father. ' '

Illness had prevented the Pastor from setting out
from the lodge as soon as he could have wished, and he
had not answered the letters because he anticipated that
every morrow would see him sufficiently restored for

•»*••■

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TUB OANADMiN 9IRL.

661

tfed lonniey. When at lengtli he did set out, two
faritoV^ men, and four Indians, belonging to the village,
that had sprung up in his valley, accompanied him,
having errands of their own to Quebec. They travelled
partly in the night as well as through the day, the Pastor
being extremely anxious to: reach th6 city sftnle ditys
before the execution. The forest ciS St. Antony divi4jB(l
that gloomy swamp in the midst^ ^lon^ wbieh CUntqii
had been journeying the fatal night of his death.- -Tlhe
Pastor and his humble friends had to eross this i^ffest.
It was early in the morning andstill darltt Theii* torcb^s
alone illumined the tangled path vfrhbse track they wore
pursuitig. To beguile the dreariness of th0 hour and
the way they conversed upon sacred subjeistlj and tbe
peace and confidence these topics instilled iatd their
minds rendered them proof against all &ar». i i-.

When nearly through the forest they were startler
by a gipsy, who earnestly icoucsted that;the Fasto!
would follow him to a great tree wfaibh stood a little of
the path, telling him a shoeking deed had been done,
and as k magistrate, which he knew Pastor Wilson was,
he called upon him to investigate it.

The Pastor turned off from the path accordingly, fol-
loired close by his friends, and, to his utter dismay, saw
in the hollow of the vast tree a dead body, which he
presently discovered to. be : that of his grandson,
Clinton. ''^-r-t' h--. ':'-Urr' , '■■■■■

The gipsy then pointed out the Settler, who stood in
the grey darkness leaning against the stem of a ceaar
close by. "'■'" ■■'' • '*■

;• '" That is thb murderer," said he, "secure himi"
which was done, but not without great difficulty , , '

?1 j

68S

TKB OAWADIAN OIRL.

I!' ii'

;t.i

■^\

Ij-^

' While the Pastor and his grandchildren are COB-
versmg, the Settler is carried forwards to prison amid the
groans, hootings, and threats of the people, whom the
gipsy informed of the particulars of his gnilt. i

" I saw him drag the gentleman from his horse after
- he had fired at him once; when he had him down he
shot him twice, as deliberately as if he had been putting
a mere animal of the woods out of its dying tor-
ments."

The uproar was very great in the streets. The prisoner
was unbound from his ragged pony at the prison door,
where he returned the eager gaze of curiosity that was
bent on him with a savage glare that made the be-
holders shrink, and then, assuming an aspect of dogged
indifference, entered the gloomy barriers which had been
a living tomb to thousands. if« usniW hov
^ It was upon this same day that the fisherman Jacques,
who had rescued Jane fh>m the deep in the early part
of this story, and whose wife first prompted her to seek
shelter in the settlements over which Pastor Wilsb*!
presided as magistrate, hearing of the doom of the Pi-
rate, his old captain, came to see him in the prison. Af-
terwards he sought out Madame Barry, and gave her
such an account of the manner in which Anderson had
been trepanned into joining the mutineers of her hus-
band's ship, and of his total guiltlessness of a participa-
tion in the plunder and murder of Barry, that she be-
came convinced she had wronged him in her mind, and
immediately visited him, assuring him of her entire for-
giveness ; not content with this, she immediately set
about endeavouring to obtain a commutation of his pun-
ishment. <(?''-"'' ^^"r.: ^.;',..;;r. jii.i->.M ,.i.v,' r.-.-r/ (i-.i.iw

THB CANADIAN SIBL.

663

The next morning the Settler is conducted to another
part of the city to be examined ; on the way he makes
a desperate effort to escape. He is a fleet runner and
strong lunged, he cannot be easily put out of breath.
This way and that he flies, doubling, turning, circling
across the open country according as he is pressed by
his pursuers. At length he is surrounded, and climbs
a tree with the agility of a squirrel, hiding among the
thickest branches. . i ..,..,,, ,,,i ^..,,

The first man who follows him falls throttled to the
ground ; the second shares the same fate. Both drop
dead at their companions feet. Shots are then levelled
at the tree, but the Settler loudly laughs them to scorn
as if he were some supernatural being whom bullets
cannot touch. , .,,.,,,, . .

" Cut the tree down.^* suggests one. A dozen hat-
chets are instantly at work, and the Settler sees himself
bereft of his last resource. The tree groans and quakes ;
its branches quiver with every deadly stroke; now it
majestically bends ready to fall ; it sinks slowly at first
— the Settler leaps to the ground — and ]|he crash of the
oak of two centuries shakes the neighbourhood like an.
earthquake. . - ' • ■ , ^:

A lialter was now knotted round the neck of the
murderer, one end being fastened to a strong and lofty
branch, and he was placed on an untamed colt, with his
arms tied firmly behind his back. In this condition they
.eft him. and in a moment the colt had darted off, leavingr
him pi^ndant from the cr'.aking branch, which bore his
weight stoutly. A ghastly struggle then took place be-
tweea the fighting soul and the tortured body. Red^
wlobes of fire ;»ppoared before the wretch's eyes ; they

664

THB CANADIAN GlRt-

W : !

: I

•I

paled, and paled, ana presently grew blacHi — the Settler
had then expiated his crime — he was dead ! The body
swunof round and round in the midniofht breeze ; there
was no more motion in its members ; passion raged no
more in the brooding spirit, which had dwelt too much
on its wrongs, and had avenged them with fiend-like
malice, but which, nevertheless, had not been without
its noble sparks of feeling.

Few murderers have ever had so plausible an excuse
for their hellish deeds as he. He had suffered a grievous
injustice from Clinton, and, according to his rude no-
tions of natural rights, thought himself justified in
taking vengeance for it with his own hands.

^' Life for life" was hh motto, and on this he acted,
regarding no other tribunal than his own mind. How-
ever, he hath followed his victim to eternity— >

" And how his aadit sUndf, who knows, save hearon ?"

It was rather a carious circumstance that the gipsy
who brought him to his end should be the vagrant king
who had fled from the vengeance of his band for the
murder of his wife. This guilty man now wandered
restlessly about the spot where the Settler hung, haunted
with such visions of his slaughtered Nina, such appre-
hensions of a meeting with the gipsies, and such longing
desire for the society of his children, mingled with more
fierce and reckless passions, that he was tempted to wisn
himself in the Settlers place.

At last, worn out with long fatigue and disquietude,
he threw himEclf down on the ground and fell into a
deep sleep. On awaking, his hair bristled up with
tenor — the well known camps of his tribe wore pitched
within twenty yards of him. He rose cautiously, and

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

GtVi

crept behind the tree trunk. 'J'he night was far ad vanccil.
By certain sounds ho heard, and by the closing of the
hangings of the tents, he judged that the gipsies were
preparing for rest. Shortly no noise was distinguishable,
saving only the buzzing of the musquito, and the shrill,
discordant shriek of the owl in the distant groves. The
moon had left the sky, and the stars were growing pale.
A thick dew was falling like a shower; the grasshopper
chirped on the ground ; the fire-ily blazed its parting
gleams ; the mocking-bird tuned its wondrous imitative
strains far over hill and dale.

The wandering monarch approached the tents, walked
round them stealthily, and listened at every second step
he took. The voice of his children all at once thrilled
through his heart. He retired behind a hedcre, and re*
turned again to the camp with a lighted stick. This he
applied to the edges of the curtains in twenty different
places, and presently the whole was in a blaze. At the
tirst alarm the gipsies rushed out upon the plain, each
mother with her own infant children, and, in the confu-
sion that took place, the incendiary king easily contrived
to seize and carry off his own boy and girl.

The next morning he engaged a passage in a vessel
bound to England, his native country, paying for it
with money given him by Pastor Wdson ; and from
this time he resumed the habits and the occupation of
his early days, as a member of civilised society, bringing
up his children to the same. But his son hated him,
and never ceased to reproach him with the fact of havinc
killed his mother. In the end the young man deserted
his father to dwell in the camps wherein he w;is born.
The gipsies received him jovfnllv, and he presided over

4q '

666

THB CANADIAN OlllL.

P !

them as their king, according to the oath they had made
to Nina. . ■ i, . , . ' ' ^ ' ..... . ..

It was long before the notable wife and the family
of the Settler knew of his fate. When thev did it was
too late to recover his body, which, after hanging until
it was frightfully disfigured by carrion birds, had been
humanely hidden beneath the earth by the Ind' ns who
had assisted in capturing him. ' ■

The rough children of the wilds mourned not their
father or their brother with outward si^ns of •jrief. The
farm affairs went on as before, no difference was to bo
perceived. It was only when the family wore gathered,
remote from strangers, on the hearth in the winter even-
ings, or at the door in the summer evenings ; when the
daughters and their mother sat by their sugar troughs
under the maple trees in the early spring morning, or
the sons in their fishing boats at midnight ; it was only
at snch times that they spoke together of those they
had lost, and let fall a tear, or breathed a sigh to their
n'emory, cu/sing the hour which had tirat brought Clin-
ton to thfiir house.

\'.

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TUB (UVAUIAN G!Ui.

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. > . i ■■'. r,.,..i

CHAPTER XL,

. T,' ■.>!

;l'.. ,<

" One thing more, my child,
For thine ovn sake b3 constant to the lor*
Thou bearest me. •

-And though

j!.:»

III tongues shall wound me, and our common ntmt
Be as tt mark stamped on thine innocent brow
For men to point at as they pass, do thou \^. .. ;
Forbear, and never think a thought unkind
Of those who, perhaps, lore thee in their grave*. "
Farewell! Farewell! VKeWeUV'—Skdley.

•f

::r

tr.

UN'!'^ .;t} fA

The ivory miniature of La«iy Hester which Clinto*
had always worn was found shattered on his heart. At
the back of it was a piece of worn paper, on which ap-
peared the affecting farewell verses of Lucy Lee, in her
own hand writing. Under them Clinton had penned^
apparently recently, these words : —

"Sweet, ill-used girl! living I could not be thine,
but in death thy grave shall receive me. My bones
shall moulder on the coffin, Lucy, in which thou liest,
who loved me but too well! I was the cause of thy
early death, for which fl feel there is yet reserved for
me some unforeseen punishment. But for me, thou
mightest have lived to bless some faithful heart with
thy young beauty, thy unsullied innocence, and thy
exquisite tenderness. But for me, tlie fair blossom of

' J ■ #J ttl I

I' !

668

THE CAN\niAN Glill.,

thy girlhood might hare ripened into the full flowft:^
womanly perfection, whose fragrance should now hav
been shed around some blissful bower which anj^eL
might have looked upon with delight. Yes, I fear it
cannot be that I, who wilfully broke the heart of her
who loved me, should be allowed to live happy long with
her whom I love."

This foreboding of a restless conscience wo have seen
but too fearfully realised.

And now the terrible event made known to the
Pirate, he felt half the bitterness of death past. So
strong a tie to earth cut, ho hold it with a looser grasp.
All the day after he sat meditating, not williiiglv al-
lowing himself to be disturbed even to speak to the
Pa.^tor. ^nihvt'— .ii?«vi,'j !,iyt.-t,^ I (i..i..,-.Tr

At the sight of him the good clergyman broke iiiio
tears. Memory flew back on wings as swift as liglit
through the long vista of years to the hour when he saw
this man in the early prime of manhood, bearing away
his daughter whom he was never to meet more. ? '

" My Funny! — I think I see her by your side," fal-
tered the old man. " Ah ! had she lived to see this
day of misery ! God was merciful to her, and removed
her out of the way of the heavy sorrows that her loss
. unate father is called upon to boar in his old age.

Goil be thanked! — lie does all things well."
** wish you could persuade nie of that," said the
Pirate, abruptly. " Is this murder well ?"

*' Let us upon our knees, my son," was the Pastor's
indirect but solemn rejoinder, *' and pray that heaven
wiH give us faith to trust in Eternal love even while all
IS da, Vness around. Coniu, lot us throw ourselves bo*

if 1'

THE CANADIAN GIKL.

nth

fore the throne of grace, for nothing but Almiglity
grace can preserve us frOm impious distrust and despair
under our present painful trials."

With eyeballs dry and burning, with parched, tongue
and flaming brain, the Pirate reluctantly knelt down
by the side of his aged father-in-law, who poured forth
a broken but fervent supplication for his condemned
son and his afflicted grandchildren. At the conclusion
the Pirate gradually bowed his head on the bench before
which he knelt, and there burst from him a storm of
tears that seemed to open up all the long-sealed flood-
gates of his heart, and to shake strong nature to her
case. The Pastor broke off, and supported the sufferer
in his arms. Long did that storm of grief continue, and
\yhen it passed away the Pirate's soul was softened and
relieved. Then he listened to the persuasive arguments
of the Pastor for repentance, faith in the Son of God,
a resurrection, and everlasting felicity.

" Would that I could hope !*' exclaimed the Pirate,
despairingly. Here his countenance grew black and
distorted, he ground his teeth in some acute bodily
agony, and rolled over and over on the ground.

The Pastor summoned the turnkey in affright. The
man looked conscience-stricken, and hi$ knees knocked
together.

" Good sir," said he to the clergyman, " pray do
not betray me ! The Marquis managed to get some
poison in here, and when I found it out he begged so
hard for me to let him keep it that | — I — could not
deny him."

" Poison .'" interrupted the Pastor, " has he taken
poiipn

f'n

fii

.!!>■

670

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

'• I have." groaned the Pirate, speaking between
the fierce paroxysms of ' s pain. " Nothing can save
me. Alarm no one. Turnkey — father — do not stir. I
am beyond the reach of medicine — let me die, therefore,
in quiet."

" What horror is to light next upon my hoary head !"
cried the Pastor, staggering to a seat. " O for a grave-
ray God ! that I may see no more of this wretched
world. Now I am quite overcome! I have hitherto
struggled well aj'aiiis* the prest).ire of calamity, but this
IS the end of my patience, if more grief comes my worn
ut heart will crack under it."

" My daughter ! — my Jenny ! — fetch her hither, I
m.jst speak with her. Hasten! or it will be too late/'
gasped the Pirate. . • i. ,

She was already in the prison and approaching tho
cell. The turnkey met her in the passage, and ac-
quainted her with what had happened. She immedi-
ate'y rushed to her writhing father, and fell into his
arms, as he reclined on his elbow on the floor.

" A few words are all I can say to thee, my darling
Jenny !" he pathetically but with difficulty articulated.
*' You have been the balm of my life ! The comfort
you have given me, niuy it bo returned into your own
bosom ! Mr. Lee, on that bench is my will, which I
havo written since 1 hoard of my son's death. Jane in-
herits all my estates, o.\coi)liug oidy tho mansion itself
and its furniture, which is Lady Hester's in right of her
husband. I can say no more. These horriblo tortures

prev(

;nt —

The turnkey ro-onlered to say, that a messenger had
just conu' from Muda'iie tiarry to iufonn llie Miir(|ui.s

THE CANADIAN GIRL

67i

2n
ve

that she had positive hopes, by her intercession, anc
with the assistance of the Earl of Wilton and the' Go
vernor's lady, who were warmly interesting themselvei
on his behalf, of obtaining a commutation of his sen-
tence. She had already had one interview with the Go-
vernor, who seemed now favourably disposed, and thi
Governor's lady gave her secretly the most encouraging
expectations.

" It comes too late," muttered the dying Pirate.
" My foot is on the very threshold of death. Had I
heard this a (ew hours ago — but what can recal that
which is done ?"

" O father, father! how could you have acted so
rashly?" expostulated Jane, almost upbraldingly, in
the bitterness of her anguish.

" Do you reproach me?" exclaimed the Pirate in
piercing accents, rising with a hasty effort to his feet.
*' It was for your sake I did it !" ^ . ,.,, ,^^^ ^ -

*' For my sake ?" echoed Jane, faintly.

" Yes, for yours !" returned her father with majesty.
*' I have destroyed myself that you might live without
disgrace, The world may say I have been a Pirate —
that I wasconderaD3d, — but that is all it can say. And
while it stops short there you may live in quiet. But
if I came upon the public scafibld — if I died by the
halter — the stigma on you would be deep and irremeiJi-
ublu. Go into what retirement you would, the finger
of scorn would point at you. Your parentage would
be as notoriuus and as infamous as if the daughter of
iiii executed felon were branded on your face. I thought
to iiavo spared you some misery bj my self-destruction.
This was my motive! If, therefore, events have con-

! ■ !

672

THE CANADIAN CTRL.

spired to make me partly regret what I have done, still
you should rather speak peace to me than reproach."

" I meant not to reproach you, father," said Jane
in deep distress. " But oh ! to lose you now when hope

IS —

" Think not of Madame Barry's message," said he,
earnestly. " The hope she holds out I feel persuaded
is delusive. That fatal paper of your poor brother's
could not by any means be set aside. It was that which
condemned me, and nothing could save me while it re-
mained in existence."

" That is my own opinion," said the Pastor, tre-
mulously. ,

" And mine," said Arthur, decisively.

" You hear your grandfather," — urged tho Pirate —
*' you hear your husband — credit them if not me. Do
not add to the suffering of this hour by imagining that
if I had not anticipated my sentence I might have been
spared to you. I myself was inclined to think so, but
my judgment now persuades me otherwise."

*' But suicide is a great crime, my son," interposed
the Pastor. ' ■

" I fear it is," gravely returned the Pirate. " Heaven
pardon it ! But still, to my mind, the circumstances of
my case partially excuse the deed. I have never shed
blood except in self-defence. I have not deserved a
publio death. Perpetual imprisonment, exile, any
punishment short of deat/i I had deserved — but not
death. I did not feel bound, therefore, to render up
uiysolfto the gallows. No law of God required me to
do so. Sticli being my view of the case, I felt fit liberty to
dispose of inysoir in the way 1 have. Tlio honourable

THE CANADIAN GIRL,.

678

name I have inherited is hereby saved from some degra-
dation, and yet I have suffered the full penalty of my
misdeeds."

He had rallied so much that Jane hoped he might yet
recover from the effects of the deadly potion he had
taken. She expressed this hope in lively terms to a
doctor who had been summoned contrary to the Pirate's
wish. When the professional personage, however, heard
from the prisoner what it was he had taken, a slight
shake of the head warned her to expect no success from
his endeavours.

Again the Pirate sank upon the ground in bodily
torture, and his cries echoed through the numerous
vaultings of the prison with dismal effect. The Pastor
clasped his hands upward in vehement internal prayer,
his silvery locks fluttering about his venerable head, and
tears trickling down the furrows of his anguished face.
Jane threw herself on her knees by hor dying father,
gazing on him with distracted looks, sharing in his pangs
though unable to alleviate them, and almost wishing for
the moment that would put a period to his agony. Ar-
thur supported tl^ Pirate, aided by the doctor, who in
vain strove to pass an antidote through his close-shut
teeth. Terrible retchings, shooting pains as if from red-
hot arrows, spasms, and suffocation, these were some of
the dreadful symptoms of the operation of the baleful
drug. The sufferer shortly became stupified, and lay
for several hours upon the confines of this world and
the next, without properly belonging to oilher. At last
he was seen to move his lips, and his daughter, bending
her head down, distinguished a few scarcely audible but
hauTlify words :—

j^W^

674

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

II !^ M

;ii

\' '■

*' No executioner shall touch nie ! — No, no i I am
the descendant of a brave and illustrious race — I will
not die upon a scaffold ! The poison, turnkey ! Nay,
I 2^2// have it! If you take it from me I will kill myself
by other means! Now I have done it! All is over!
I have drank it ! The work is accomplished ! Ha ! —
ha ! I have saved the name I bear from the consum-
mating disgrace !"

He continued to mutter, but now inaudibly. After a
while, he threw himself from his bed, drawing up his
colossal proportions to their full height, elevating his
arms, and shouting in deafening tones —

" Heave-to ! Down with the maintop sail ! Throw
out another anchor ! Haverstraw, load my gun ! That's
it — fire away ! Board her .' — board her ! Gallantly
done, brave fellows ! Hurrah ! — hurrah !"

" My dear son !" entreated the Pastor.

" Who speaks?" ejaculated the Pirate, sinking down
in a sitting posture, and looking around with indescrib-
sble eagerness. " Fanny! Is it you, Fanny ? is it yout
Have you risen out of you ^lave to reproach me?
Was it I who murdered your t , that you look at me
so? What! and Nicholas too v^i(hyou!" His voice
took a softer cadence, most affecting — " My son! my
accomplished son ! my heir ! my gallant son ! Hah ! —
how changed! Can twenty-four hours of death make
luch havoc in a fine person ! Palo — pale — and sad !
Poor fellow! He little thought he would die before
me."

He sat silent some minutes, then broke out again
more wildly —

" The Earl of Wilton in the water ?— There let him

THE CAxNADIAN GIRL,

675

arown

Great men forget benefits

niless cotta^rer I would save him.

If he was a pen-
As it is I will not !

Let him drown I say ! Hang up that Michael and
Jonas to the yard-arm ! They are bad fellows, and will
ruin us. Light a fire on yon heights to let my son know
whereabouts we are. Hark to that pistol shot again !
That was my son's signal ! Our foes are near ! Board
her ! — board her ! Fire, Toby ! Hallo, Gilpin, fight
away there ! They cry quarter ! They strike to the
Pirate flag! Hurrah! hurrah! Victory! Victory!
Victory !"

Shouting thus, he waved his arm triumphantly over
his head, staggered, and fell. In his last moments the
delirium passed away, and he faintly said —

*' liury Clinton in the grave of Miss Lee, as he wished.
Lay mo with Marie Verche my mother, and the late
Marquis, in the mausoleum I built at Rougemont. Your
hand, Jane — yours, father — Mr. Lee. Forgive the
disgrace I have caused you — the griefs 1 have brouglit
upon you. My career has been a troubled one, and it
ends in darkness and shame. I had hoped for better
things. I have felt within me aspirations which led me
to hope that I should be useful to my generation, and
perhaps leave behind me a memory not all unworthy.
Fleeting visions ! Deceitful creations of fancy ! Fatal
— fatal delusions ! I have followed meteors, and thought
them beacons. Now I go down to the dust dishonoured.
Posterity will hear nothing of me. I shall be as though
I had never lived. When my story is ever called to
mind I shall be spoken of as a plunderer of my race,
instead of as a benefactor and an ornament. Well, regret
w useless now. Time is past with me. Another e.\is-

El ! I

676

THE CANADIAN OIRU

tence opens to my view, and I must quit for ever the
scene of my ambitious desires to enter upon* it. Fare-
well ! Think of me sometimes, Jenny, when you are
happy. Weep not. Two bereavements at once will
prove almost too much for her, Mr. Lee, cherish her
tenderly during hei sorrow. I leave her in your care,
and may you prosper in proportion as you are kind to
her. Father, your grey hairs should have seen more
peaceful days, but your last hours may yet be serene.
I hope they will be so. I can say no more. Death comes.
Farewell ambition ! Farewell rank, and wealth, and
power ! Farewell the gnawing pains of conscience ! I
shall rest in peace !"

These were the last words of the " Pirate of the
Lakes."

THE CAN/DIAM GIRL.

bi t

I-

CHAPTER XLI.

•• The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill togetTier."

Shaktpeart,

*' Sweet are the luea of adversity !
Which, like the toad, ugly and Tenomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.
And this our life, exempt from public haunt,
Tntda tongues in trees, books in the running brooks,
Sermons in stones, and good in every thing." — Ibid.

At the commencement of the third summer after the
death of the Pirate and Clinton, the valley of the Pas-
tor's lodge presented a beautiful and thriving aspect.
The lodge itself — with its white walls, now decorated
with the curling rings and the broad leaves of the wild
vine — its windows, filled with elegant plants in full
flower — its circling garden, now once again so trimly
kept by feminine care-^was still the v^entral object upon
which a stranger's eye would rest. Here dwelt still
the aged Pastor, Arthur Lee, and his wife " the Ca-
nadian Girl," who, after all the sorrows, after all the
varieties of fortune, she had experienced, at length tasted
here of a settled peace near akin to happiness.

The severe frosts in May had been followed immedi-
ately by the splendours of summer. The whole country
suckknly became verdant. Trees were all at once

i.'

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CTS

1«E CANADIAN Gl.'.L.

|)eopled with birds ** warbling their native wood-notes
wiUl;" streams broke from their icy prison, and danced
merrily along over pebbles and weeds. The orchard
was arrayed in gay blossoms, its early fruits were fast
ripening ; and the wheat fields, now so extensive, dallied
with the sweet June zephyrs.

On the banks of the stream which, below the lodge,
flowed through the middle of the valley, appeared a
lively, bustling village, which boasted of its markets
twice a week, its stores and dairies, its tailor's shop,
its milliner's shop, tavern, and similar conveniences for
a rising population. There was even talk of a uews-
room.

A little farther on was a substantial saw mill ; near
it a large ilour mill ; the one with which we have been
formerly acquainted still doing duty for the Pastor's
household beside the lodge.

The whole of the vale was the property of Mr. Lee,
who, by his skill and liberality, promised to become a
blessing to hundreds of his fellow beings.

Two buildings we must especially notice — a rustic
church, upon the most simple and pleasing English
model, and a small rectory-house adjoining.

The latter was no more than a pretty cottage of three
rooms, finished with a nicety, and furnished with a taste-
ful simplicity, rarely to be found in a newly settled
country. This was at present the residence of Lady
Hester, to whom the Pastor had resigned it, preferring
to spend his few remaining days in the lodge.

Ever since the death of Clinton Lady Hester's in-
tellects had been clouded with the night of insanity,
and Jane desired to have her in the valley that she

T«n CANADIAN GJRL.

CT9

might pay her those necessary attentions her case re-
quired.

Letitia was left in America with her unfortunate sister
by the Earl, who returned to his parliamentary en-
gagements in England, in which only he felt able to
drown the painful reflections wherewith he was visited.

Letitia was now nineteen, just the age of Lucy when
she died, and, to Jane's partial fancy, not altogether
unlike her in person and character. It was a favourite
employment of her leisure to trace out imaginary re-
semblances between them, and by this means her heart
grew attached to Letitia as it had to no female friend
since Lucy's decease.

Letitia was mistress of the rectory cottage during the
three years of Lady Hester's mental disorder ; and here
Jane often sat with her sewing, or performing some
other domestic employment of a feminine character, con-
versing on bygone trials, while her prattling infant girl
rolled on the carpet with its fatherless playfellow, a son
to whom Lady Hester had given birth during her de-
rangement.

On these occasions Lady Hester would sit at her piano,
from which she never stirred willingly, playing over all
the melancholy airs her memory could furnish, and
especially those to which Clinton had written words.

Hitherto she had been unconscious that she was a
mother, the infantile loveliness of her child — Clinton's
child — moved her not. Often she looked vacantly upon
those sunny features, which already, in their pale and
delicate contour, resembled those of him she had lost,
but they recalled no idea in her bewildered mind. The
Pastor had baptised the infant by the name of Clinton,

i 1

G80

THE CANADIAN CTRL,

in addition to those names derived from tlie title h«
inherited; but neither did the repetition of this onco
dear and familiar sound awaken in its mother the torpid
feelings of nature.

From these circumstances her case was judged to i)o
hopeless. E^ery one despaired of her restoration. S!'.e
was perfectly harmless, however, and Dr. Bathurst, who
had the charge of her professionally, placed her under
no restraint whatever. She played on her instrument
from morning to night, month by month, season by sea-
son, excepting only when affectionately remonstrated
with by the doctor, and this was but on rare occasions;
then she strolled out in passive submission to his will,
always, it was observed, taking the path to the burial
enclosure, and sitting ^'own on her husband's tomb.

Yet there she secned unconscious of who it was that
slept below. She would talk of " her beloved husband'.
— her own Clinton !" as if he were alive; and, in the
midst of these patlietio exclamations, while her listeners
were dissolved in tears, turn to some frivolous matter,
or begin to sing some frafrments ofliis verses.

" O, what a noblo mind was here (I'ortlirnwn I
The glass of lashion and the mould of Ibrm !
The observed of all observers! quite, quite down !
That noble and most sovereign reason,
I<ike sweet bells jangled, out of tune and hjirsli ;
'i'hat unmatched form and feature of blon youth,
Blasted with ecstasy."

It was observed that she was ever loth to leave the
sad spot. Some secret spell of feeling it was evident
operated like a magnet amid the wreck of memory and
thouf^ht; and as Letitia and Jane commented together

I'.e

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

G81

upon it, an occasional gleam of hope would break in
upon their view, distinct, though distant.

Doctor Bathurst was fully acquainted with his fair
patient's history, and took a deep and zealous interest
in the progress of her disorder. He never expressed
either hope or despair of her recovery, for he was afraid
of exciting expectations perhaps not to be realised on the
one hand, and of causing unnecessary pain on the other.

" Here Nature may be Lady Hester's physician,"
said he, *' and a skilful one, and a generally successful
one, we all know her to be. Here, in other words, our
unfortunate friend has air salubrious as any in the world,
fresh, pure, and mild ; here, she has perfect tranquillity,
and society such as is calculated to stimulate her feelings
and ideas gently, without exciting them ; here, therefore,
she must ere long recover, or be indeed past hope." tf i.

It was no slight consolation to Letitia to have the
assurance of a skilful medical man like Dr. Bathurst to
this effect. In her next letter to the Earl she repeated
the Doctor's words, and warmly thanked him for having
yielded to the wishes of herself and Mrs. Lee in leaving
her sister in the valley. The Earl replied in a strain of
despondency that he now rejoiced that he had done so,
as well for his own sake as his daughter's. The political
party to which he had all his life attached himself had
lately been restored to power, and he had certainly ex-
pected some important office in the cabinet; but having
been disappointed, he had conceived a disgust of public
lifo, and was determined to retire from it altogether.
He had almost made up his mind to come to the valley
himself, invest his fortune in building and in cultivating
land, like Mr. Lee, and adopt a country life. nii' .h

4 8

? J t

Hi i!i

I'i

1 *; •

I 1

663

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

Letitia smiled at the idea of her stately and aristO'
cratic parent turning farmer, but dutifully wrote to say
that he would be indeed welcome here.

He came, and many plans occurred to him forgetting
up an estate in this neighbourhood commensurate with
his riches. But an Abraham and a Lot cannot dwel
together. Mr. Lee was too substantial a settler for him
to dwell beside. The flourishing estate would draw at-
tention from the newly springing one. No, this would
not do. Rougeraont was then thought of.

The Pirate's will had provided for that event which
had really happened, namely, the birth of an heir to the
marquisate after Clinton's death. In case of such an
event the whole property wa« to be Jane's until the
boy reached the age of twenty-one, when, with the title,
it was to revert to him, on the consideration that he
paid Mrs. Lee and his mother certain life annuities. The
Earl, as a guardian of the boy, at length made up his
mind to reside in the mansion of Rougemont, and thither
intended to convey his daughters, whea Lady Hester
began to decline in health so rapidly, that Dr. Bathurst
interdicted the removal, and announced his fears of her
speedy dissolution.

In the month of August she had reached the very
borders of the tomb, and every day was expected to be
her last.

She did not keep her bed, but still sat, supported by
her sister and Jane alternately, at her instrument, from
which she could not bear to be removed. Dr. Bathurst
directed that no contradictionof any kind or description
should be offered to her wishes, and his orders were
strictly followed i i. ,,

TUfi Canadian girl.

683

One morning she seemed more silent than usual, as
if sunk in meditation. She did not ask to be carried to
her piano, but lay on her bed, dressed, without a word
or a motion.

" What are you thinking of, my dearest Hester 1"
asked Letitia, who sat by her, holding her hand.

<' Of dreams," was the melancholy response.

" What dreams, dearest sister ?"

*' Wretched ones. I will tell you all about them by
and bye — don't disturb me now." •-'" * * *- ' » ^ '

Accordingly no one spoke to her for some time, but
Letitia whispered to Jane, with a fluttering heart — ■•■

" Did you ever hear her speak so rationally before —
I mean since her mental disorder began ?'* m*. '

" She only said a few words, my dear," replied
Jane, cautiously. . -ui; -u v,iiu'..'n» ■ ^r 7 iui.i ^ui .

" But were not those few very rationally uttered,
both in manner and matter?" ejaculated Letitia, her
colour coming and goiLg as her heart fluttered with
hope.

** I was a little struck with her style of speaking, i
rniast confess," acknow' edged Jane.

Letitia burst into tears.

" Who weeps ?" exclaimed Lady Hester, turning
her head sharply toward Ihrt part of the room where
her sister and Mrs. Lee were whispering. " Letty, is
that you?" ;; ■ < ? ' "

" O Hester, Hester !" screamed Letitia in a transport,
rushing to the bed with her arms uplifted, " do you
know me once again ?" 'i tiHu'l -jdicf, 'Nj bi 'i;. »» hs^^M

"Know you, my sister!" echoed Lady Hester in
luoaieiiient, raising herself on her elbow, and putting

<hl

684

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

her haad to her forehead, bewildered — " I hardly do,
you are so altered. And I — where am I ? What room

is this r

" You are in the valley where Pastor Wilson lives,
dearest ! This is his rectory house. You have been
here three years, and 1 have resided with you all thai
time. Mrs. Lee has helped to nurse you."

" Amazing !" faintly ejaculated Lady Hester, sinking
back on the bed, »vhile her eyes turned upwards until
almost lost in their sockets.

Jane came, and kissed her tenderly, but felt unable
to speiik. The Earl also approached, and tremulously
spok*^ her name.

" My father too !" murmured Lady Hester, taking
his hand with a feeble movement to her pale lips.

The Earl was overcome by this act of reconciliation,
he bent over her, and kissed her, his tears dropping on
her cheek. •• .s- ' •' ' '-!.'■. *■•>?;- . ^ ,.''."••:

Jane had sent off* for Dr. Bath::rst in haste, and now
watched every moment's flight with extreme impatience
until he should arrive. He was fortunately in the
valley, and came with a speed rather suited to nimble
youth than to the sixth stage of life.

" Sir," faltered the Earl, grasping his hand convul-
sively as soon as he appeared within the chambtr, " 'tis
to you I owe this blessed change in my dauguter ! I
admire the mode of treatment you have adopted, and
these are its results. Command my purse, my gratitude
for ever, sir! Once I was ungrateful to a man who
saved a child of mine from death, I will not be so a
gecond time."

** Stay, my lord, be not too hasty in your rejoicing,"

THK CANADIAN GIRL.

685

until

leg

said the doctor, gravely, " a return of reason sometimes
precedes — . . — . ^

" I will not hear you," interrupted the Earl, with a
shudder. " She must recover !" ,

*' I trust she may, my lord," responded the doctor.
" But has she mentioned her son yet ?"

" She seems perfectly ignorant of his existence." '

" Then keep him out of sight," said the doctor, ear-
nestly. " I can perceive at a glance that she has had
as much excitement as she can well hear at one time.
This is a critical period, sir. Lady Hester's disorder
approaches a close."

The child had contrived to follow the doctor into the
chamber, and at this instant it wound ^s arms about
his legs, and, looking smilingly up in his face, articu-
lated, with tolerable distinctness, as if sensible of the
doctor's authority — ..> "j^

" Clinton see mammy ?"

Lady Hester sprung up directly, those 'mperfect
sounds had touched a secret chord in her heart.

" Wha*. child is that ?" she demanded, looking at
the deeply interested groi'.p around, and then upon the
beautiful little creature.

There was a short silence, during which the boy ran
of his own accord to her, and twisting his hands playfully
in her dishevelled hair, as she bent her head to him,
reiterated —

" Clinton must come see mammy — Clinton must come
see mammy."

" What is your name, my sweet child V she tremu-
lously asked.

** Clinton Louis Lawrence ^ replied the boy, m if

I i < i

6bti

THE CANADIAN OIR^

to pronounce the words had been a practised task. Lad^
Hester pressed her hand on her heart, and gasped.

*' And who is your mammy, my dear ?" she inquired.

" You my mammy — me may come see you, mayn't

" Tell me the truth, Letty — father— is this boy
mine?"
V " He is," replied the Earl, disregarding the ' Dctor's
precautionary look.

Lady Hester caught him to her bosom wildly, then
held him from her, and perused his face with a look of
unutterable acguish; again caught him to her, again
held him off, and surveyed his features ; then kissing him
franticly, burst forth into a flood of tears. Each present
wept, and no one interfered to check the tide of mingled
feelings of sorrow and joy which agitated the widowed
mother. ,

i:7'>n'-i|(.u V •.:ii; .' , .;m » <m i(i.. ui-; ..i- ••"„.!

!■• ■•! ■ •'! I : ' -f ^|^-< : .■■■ ._ ,,.,1^,,,. ■ 1 ) l,jf ,

}/ ^wwf U .: .1.: •'. . .n. •■ I .,f ; , !;.. , ,;^:-7/ .

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<f ■•* ,/ •.(! ,tU )j! -n

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;• ' •!. I I.I

.'''fl .1 .'I.I .1

GANAD^AIf GIRL.

tl«'

. I , ,t

•I ■ ■/•

' > ■ I'l

CHAPTER XLII.

" Herein fortune shows herself more land
Thvi is her custom."

•• He's all my exercise, my mirth, mv matter;
He makes a July's day short as December ;
And, with his varying childness, curM in m«
Thoughts that would thick my blood."

*' Pttience and sonow ttroTe
Who should express aet goodiien.'-'

I j;

;•" {•

U < X

• il (I I

Lady Hester speedily began to recover. '^.

The angel of death relented from his purpose anu
took wing. Cheerfulness then became once more an
inmate of the valley, and the summer closed amid
thankfulness and peace. •• •■■ W •' ill, n t'u\ :

The child of Lady Hester was her consolation at all
times. Her fondness for him could never be told — it
was a passion, it was an ecstasy ! All the intense love
she had borne its father was now centred in him. From
the first moment of her becoming acquainted with his
existence, she could never bear him out of her sight.
He must be always close to her waking or sleeping, and
many an hour of the night did she spend watching his
slumbering fpatures, that every day grew more like those
of her departed love. It were vain to attempt a descrip-
tion of her feelings on some particular occasions, when,

I i

688

THE CAtCADIAK GIRL.

struck by this increasing resemblance, she would press
a thousand sorrowful kisses on his eves and lips, or fold
him to her bosom in rapturous melancholy. He was her
light in darkness — her life in death — her fresh springing
fountain in a desert waste.

One beautiful evening after sunset she sat with him
on her lap in the summer house attached to the lodge.
The Earl and Letitia were near her. Jane and Arthur
sat side by side at the foot of the maple tree, and their
little laughing girl was playing on the green sward at
their feet, throwing wild-flowers at little Clinton, about
whom they hung as on a smiling cupid. The Pastor and
his favourite companion Dr. Bathurst, walked leisurely
up and down in front of the summer-house conversing.

" That is a noble maple which overshadows this little
building so pleasantly," observed the Ear).

" I thought it had gone to decay," rejoined Arthur.
" Four years it drooped, and scarcely bore any foliage,
but it is completely restored to us this summer."

" It is a good omen," remarked the doctor, pausing
in his walk. " When it was last in a flourishing con-
dition, the Pastor's family was so too ; it drooped while
that was afflicted ; but now that we have reason to be-
lieve misfortune has departed the tree revives."

Here Jane and Arthur simultaneously breathed a
quiet sigh to the memory of Lucy and Clinton, who
once, at this season of the year, at this time of the dav,
when the Pastor's household partook of their liberal
evening meal here, shed gaiety and brightness over
Hhe scene. . • •■ <..•.., «. i- , . •■<■..- ,7>i;'»

" The worthy doctor seems to be your grandfather's
rtgiit hand on all occasions," observed the Earl, again

THG CANADIAN GIRL.

689

iim

ion-

addressing Arthur, aB the Pastor and his eonapanion
stood on a knoll at a little distance, pointing out to each
other certain objects in the fertile lant^vcape. ii^i*! .'1
Ii.rrArthur smilingly rejoined — ,,. •/,!] ii.il ; ..., >fr,tL'
" Not only my grandfather's but mine also. Not a
moral improvement can be projected or planned by the
Pastor without Dr. Bathurst's advice. And with regard
to myself, if any part of my estate is to be made more
ornamental, convenient, or productive, or if any social
regulation is to be made, I too must consult the doctor.
1 confess I could not proceed without him. Half of the
tfuccess which has crowned my exertion is owing to the
doctor's taste and talents. He is a man indispensable
here. All the settlers round, from the highest to the
lowest, consult with him alike on social, moral, and
agricultural, as well as medical topics. Not a regula-
tion, however trivial, can be carried into effect among
them— not a corn-field, potatoe-field, or garden planned
— not a bridge, mill, or cot put together — without
Doctor Bathurst.** > •iiiiviro un nf •ulri h^t^Ahi
" But what has become of your attached Irish girl,
Mrs. Lee?" asked Lady Hester. ' '•!'-' •'/i- -"nl ij.j
" Deborah has a pretty cabin in this valley," replied
Jane. " She is very happy 1 believe. Many years
she grieved over the supposed faithlessness of a country-
man of hers, O'Reilly, to whom she has been some time
married. They have paid a visit to " ould Ireland ;"
the journey was a pilgrimage of love, one of unsophis-
ticated feeling, as ever we may hope to see in this formal
world. She stood by the broken walls of her parents'
cabin in Kilfenora, and prayed for the repose of their
"sowls" Oil the cold hearth; she said her confessions

4 T

G9C

TUB CANADIAN OIRL.

Hi*

t6 h«r old parish priest, xfho wept when she made her-
self knoKn to him ; she k j^ed with pious reverence
the nioulderin<r wooden cro^s at the head of her parents*
grave, arivi h id the mound cove.'ed with fresh turf and
grass ; die sought out her brothers and sisters and all old
acquaintances; and, to conclude, .eturned hither with a
shoal of thera^ who were induced 'o leave their native
land of misery and want by her pictures of the prosperity
they might attain in America. The village yonder is
mainly peopled by these Irish emigrants, in whose wel-
fare she takes an interest that is quite affecting from
its pure disinterestedness." !./ .u i.tu i, jmj ■ i.^.u, '

** Disinterestedness always appeared to me to be De-
borah's chief virtue ," observed Lady Hester. >. .

** It is so,** rejoined Jane. " No traits of a inerce-
nary spirit have I ever discovered in her. If she serves
you it is with a hearty goodwill quite refreshing; if she
takes the money that is her doe it is as a necessity im-
posed by her wan.s, from which she would willingly be
relieved. She has no craving after gain for its owi
sake; and, I believe, she would rather remain in poverty
all her days than serve a pers(.n whoiin she did not love,
or take from one whom she did love money that she
knew they needed. Let those who rrill speak sliohtingly
of the Irish, Ihave found them fcrtent in uflSection;
zealous in rendering services; full tif admirable fidelity;
kind and industrious. Whoever 'nakes a true Irish
heart its friend, has a friend indeed !" -< v OiUfjot '»ftt

" You speak warmlyon behalf of those whom all tdvi-
lised nations have conspired to ileKpise," said the Barl.
" But you nmsi i,\hv.- iVom what you liare heard and read
oi' them, that, as a nation, tliev uiv; a set of bu rbariana.'^*

THE CANADIAN OIBL.

691

They are wretched as a nation, I know too well,*'
returned Jane, with deep feeling. " But let them be
wisely governed, so that they may break from th«
bands of their poverty, the source of all their crimes-
let them hanre freedom in its highest, truest sense — and
they will soon emerge from their barbarism. As a
people they possess uncommon genius ; are witty ana
sagacious; abound in patience, though full of warm
feelings ; and are, in short, as well furnished with every
necessary element for attaining a high place in the scale
of civilization as any other people in the world."

The Earl was sih^nt. He had all his life been accus'
tomed to think and speak of beautiful Hibernia as a
land given up by its Creator to hopeless barbarity. It
must be clouded with perpetual darkness, ignorance
mi.st always rest u^n it, and faqaine and crime must
always devour it. It was tpo late now for the ex-states-
man to change his qpinions. ^till he did not debate
the matter with Mrs. Lee, but contented himself with
smiling incredulously^.and shaking hiv head in a manner
that see ned to say— ,j .^^ ,^,»„^,f,, '^i. . h,,«. .,.am,j

" No no.wydear lady, rely on it Ireland is a doomed
country. She Dever can be in a better condition than
at present,"

'I'he Pastor was called into the lodge by the Indian
twin brothers, Sassa and Taota, who had conducted
hither several of their tribes to be baptised.

*' These brothers are perfectly reclaimed from their .
wild and wandering life," observed Doctor Batiiurst.

" Yes," returned Arthur, " and many a Christian-
born man might look to them for examples of unadul-
teiateii gp04pess., They truly practise a heavenly mo*

■|

S'4'

«02

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

ralifTT, and evidence by it a holy and spiritual faith. The
last day alone may reveal the extent of their usefulness.
They travel thousands of miles in the winter season
carrying relief to their famishing brethren who havetheu
no means of subsistence, and dispensing ut the same
time the precious Bread of Life. This earth would soon
be happier, holier, if such men were more frequently
to arise. But labourers like these in the vineyard are
indeed few." = '- •'^^* ''^"^ - .'^-'^ '^ -'

Merry the black was here heard alternately whistling
ami singing a negro song, and presently he made his
appearance with a small basket covered with vine
leaves. • ■ - - ,' ' • « - ;

' At the first view of his dusky visage, illumined by a
5Riile whi^h displayed his ivory teeth to great advantage,
the two urchins made vigorous exertions to run towards
him, but one only was allowed to succeed, the little
Clinton being held back against his will by Lady
Hester.

" Iss, ittle missy — roe got cherries, plums, grapes,
honey, and all !'* shouted the black, snapping his fingers
gleefully, and throwing himself on the ground in a
sitting posture with his back against a bush.

" Grapes for me?" cried the little girl with ecstasy,'
climbing on his knees, while Merry drew forth his
tempting stores.

" IsS; missy, iss — here one big bunch !" he ejaculated
with a joyous grin, holding up at arm^s length a luscious
cluster fully npe. ■

The child pulled his arm down again, seized the fruit,
and was about to eat eagerly of it, when she paused,
looking toward the whimpering Clini?n. In an instant

THK CANADIAN GIRL.

693

more she was upon her feet, had restored the grapes to
the basket, and carried the whole with a prodigious
effort of strength to her little companion.
' An admiring laugh, and many ejaculations of delight
at this trait of childish unselfishness, rang around. Mr.
Lee, in the gladness of his heart, gave her a toss in
the air, and then applied to her several endearing epi-
thets. Mrs. Lee then kissed her with fond ap^proval.
But the child was too impatient of her treat to care
about caresses at present. She struggled vehemently
for her release, and, obtaining it, hastened to rifle the
^}asket of all its treasures.

" Stop, let me select what will agree with you and
Clinton," said her careful mother. " Sit down side by
side, children, and spread these broad leaves over your
laps. There, this is for you, Clinton, and this for you,
Lucy. Merry shall carry the rest into the house."

It was a pleasant sight to see the two children, like
twins, lovingly partaking of the wild luxuries the woods
provided ; sometimes picking out a larger grape or
cherry than ordi vary, and thrusting it into the mouth of
the other, Merry all the while making them laugh with
his antics and gambols performed on the grass for their
amusement. L Mit.i,! ;/.»^ "'.ihi'^Jj A-i-.'^i^ati -:' "

' " Have you ever seen your old master in Kingston,
Merry, since I bought your freedom ?" asked the Earl.
" No, no, massa," replied the black, with a broad
grin, " me not seen de old ash merchant sin den. Me
nebber want see him. Me nebber want "o to Kingston
now. Me got 'qiiaintances hereabouts. Me berry bap|)y

here. No cowskin
no lo£» at my feet."

here. No obeiTeer. No chain,

G\>4

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

** Would you rather be liere in Mr. Lee's service, or
ill tbu ship where we Ai'st saw you V* asked Letitia.

" Me ratiier be liere, miss} " was the ready answer.
'• Dey ba'l fellows in dat sbij>, berry bad. Old fader
Toby best — poor old man, he go e ! Ah dear !" sio^hed
the black, rubbing his hand over his eyes. *' Gilpin
next best. He many times say good word for nie. Ho
wone too ! Brine swear Gilpin's life away — he hung
two year ago." ' t ,:•.... . „» ...., i.\- :.. .f> •- '

" Was it So ?" said Lady Hester inquiringly to Mr.
Lee. She was answered in the ajffirmative. dov -r^; I M.t

" De Pole," continued the black, speaking contemp-
tuously, *' he deserve what him got — he bad ma;', and
cotvard too. He try murder GiIjmb abed in de night— ^
Gdpin kill him." ,m.. - -r> I;; . ;.»h;... > , >!; ^

" And do you kno\ir Tvhat became of th« other Pi-
rates ?" asked Lady Hester. , ^

" Dey all wrecked," replied Merry. " Two, tree,
big boards wash on shore, dere people read *■ FEAR-
LESS,' in grtiat letters — dat Wfts de urisc of de Pirate
ship. All drowned in de great Lake Erie."

" Whatbas Lucy got there?' cried Mr. Lee, looking
at his child.

" My mother's picture !" exclaimed Jane, puttiqg
her hand to her neck where hung a broken chain. *' I
hope it is not injured ! It has dropped without my per-
ceiving it." '■''' f^ ' ' r - r^J* ii

" Let me have it, my little woman," said Mr. Lee,
disengaging the reluctant little hands which held it vf-^-i

Jane found it uninjured, but the incident produced a
graver tone of feeling for the moment in her mind.
Thought connected the portrait with tlie deceased

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

Pirate, from whose lifeless corpse she had taken

»r;|i (. II. • ifi.

I ,;;. ! • I J . .iiii'i'ui /.

Merry now withdreiv the children to a little distance,
and tijere sported with them in high glee. Lady Has*
ter conversed with Jane and Letitia awhile, and then
the three, taking Clinton with them, and leaving the
little girl with her father, walked to the burial ground.
As thev went Jane related for the first time to lUady
Hester the simple story of the broken-heartied Lucy.

" It seemed to be my brother^s wish that be should
be buried here,*' said Jane ; " and my father in his last
moments desired that it should be so arranged. You,
my dear Lady Hester, were not in a condition to be
consulted, ami we therefore brought his beloved remains
hither." ■■-■- ■• - • I « •— t

" You did right," returned Lady Hester, collectedly,
sitting down on her husband's tomb, which was placed
side by side with that of Miss Lee, between the two
twin pair of overhanging cypresses. " It seems to me
as if heaven had destined him to iie here. Tiiere was
just space enough under these fine trees for the two
graves, and no more. I am not sensible of any petty
jealousy, my dear Mrs. Lee. I pity this too susceptible
girl deeply ; and so I should, for I hav€ known tlie
^wer of the fascinations by which she was so fatally
attracted. I am sure I had his undivided heart, and so
peace be upon both."

Calm tears flowed uncliccked from her eyes, while
her child stood awed he knew not why.
. " Clinton, my boy, here lios your dear father,'* said
Lady Hester, " come upo< the stone aqd.I will show

you

his name.

>»

696

TtIB CANADtAN GIRL.

::ti

She ©^iiided liis tiny fiiige» alonj;; the letfeM of the
words *■ Nicholas Clinton," telling Iiim each one, and
spelling the syllables ov,orto hira. " That was your la-
ther's name, and now it is yours, my child."

" Take away this stone, mamma, and let father come
out and kiss me," entreated the child, earnestly.

" Alas ! my dear,'* he will never come out more
until the resurrection," said Lady Hester. »" X"''^ ''^'

" I'll call to him — Father ! father! come and see me
and mamma!" <''-'*•' •- "^i«M" ¥,'•« '-^^ ^i hiKv^n i

*' He cannot hear you, my dear," said Mrs. Lee,
greatly alTected, taking him from the tomb into her own

** Mamma says he is inside that little stone house,*'
remonstrated the boy with passion. .v ^'

" So he ii, but he is dead, love, he cannot hear or see
you."

*' Why cannot he 1" asked the child, passionately.

" Because lit is dead, I ti i* you, my dear." ,

** What does dead mean ?"

*' You shall know another day — you must come home
now."

" Me kis«^ father's name first ?'* pleaded the boy,
Ftretching out his arms toward the tomb.

" Yes, yes, let him," said Laciy Hester, placing him
again on his knees upon the stone. -'•■* "'^- ^

He pressed his rosy lips on the unconscious letters,
iiis infant soul touched by some dawning feeling of a
inaturor acre. Lady Hester did the same, and the sisters
and the child then turned from the melanoholy spot in
poiisivp silence,. '"^'•> ■'•'' vij-i mu«;> " ,T",-5if •.•i.u.»

VHK CANADIAV QIRL.

6ft?

1 ■•'

V'. '>,

CHAPTER XLIII.

A I life's 1 liig lingering close, all griefs gone by, *

Ho» swcot in cftlm and sunshine here to resi

Serene at last ! While thoughts of dear ones loat

Blend softly with a placid joy that steals ,, «

lipon t'ne soul like balm ; while they who link

Us yet to earth around are seen, with youth ' '"

And love upon their smiling brows ; while woods

Murmur their sofleat mur'c in the breeie,

And all the glade is dreat in eve's soft tintH'

How sweet ! The heart recounts its pilgrimage

From youth to waary cge, looks up^ and longs to die.— Af. BeiuuU

■*»

" To-morrow, and to-morronr, and to-morrow," says
Shakspeare, " creeps in this petty space from day to
day." All the poets, as well as moralists and divines,
have given us solemn reflections upon life — its changing
scenes, its unsubstantial shows, its rapid flight. But
w!iat does it all avail 7 In spite of poets, moralists, ami
divines, we live but in th<' present, the past yields us
no wisdom, the future gives us no concern. " Let us
cat and drink for to-morrow we die," this is our maxim,
and thus the immortal spark within us, buried under
worldliness and sensuality, languishes, sickens, and
expires.

Those who once figured so prominently in this storv
are now passed away. They exist only m ineroory

4ii

6U8

THB CANADIAN SISL.

.\ '

The prraceful ana fascinatinir Clinton, the majestic Pi*
r;ito. the sweet Lacy, are blended with their nativ«
ojuth. Here is a change indeed !

The child of yesterday is a man to-day. In the place
of the Pirate's son wo have that son's son, now in the
full bloom of manly beauty, gifted with fortune, healtii,
" troops of friends," honour, '^arning, hope, and joy.
He has reached the eve of his twenty-first year. To-
morrow he takes possession of tiis inheritance, and to-
morrow he is to be married to his cousin, another sweet
Lucy Lee, who, when < urtale opened, was not in exis-
tence. Here is another change !

Oil this day a large party are gathered in that superb
saloon at Rougemont, where the band of Pirates, who
now like their captain are numbered with the things
that were, once practised their lawless vagaries.

Here, if the reader cast his eye around, he may dis-
cern some old acquaint t^nces. This staid single lady
verging upon forty, with a cairn but saddened counte-
nance, is La^y Letitia, mourning, even amid festivity,
for the Earl, who was lately gathered to his fathers.
Here is another of life's changes !

This more antiquated spinster at Lady Letiti!»'s side
is Miss Gresham, formerly her governess, now her
constant companion. The two live alone on the estate
of Roufremonf. Miss Gicshain is the almoner of Lady
Ijctitia's bounty, her assistant in visiting flio poor, and
in regulatinp the schools and the charital)Ie socicti'-s
sho lias founded for the instruction and pctniiary relief
of Indians and settlers. Tier heart i'^ entirely given up
to deeds of private charity and public utility. Wl)erpv«>r
Rnu goes tlifc b]c3!«ings of thoi^e who were ready to perish

THB CANADIAN GIRL.

699

Pi.

tiva

ace
the
ti.,
ov,
o-
to-
eet
M's-

follovr her. Yet her right hand havdly knows nhat her
left hand doe^. Her ej^e is single — her heart is pure
from motive? of vanity or vain-glory — she seeks no re-
ward but the secret whisperings of an approving con»
science-— she is never heard to complain of the ingrati-
tude of those she benefits, for she asks no gratitude ;
what she does, she does from a sense of duty, and as
the steward only of her earthly riches.

A rather overdressed, portly lady, between the middle
and closing ages of life, will be easily known as Mrs.
Markham. She is still the favourite friend of Lady
Hester, and an ever welcome guest both at Rougemont
and in the Pastor's valley. Her heart is as warm as ever
— her disposition as kindly — her manners as free from
fashionable formality. The children of Mrs. Lee (for
she 13 now the mother of a large family) enjoy a visit
of hers to the Paitor's lodge as a high holiday — even the
servants are glad when they see her good-humoured
face. Both there and here she is quite at home. Every
one understands that she is a privileged person. She
inquires into every arrangement with a pleasing sort o
authority, and will even venture to dispute a point with
the autocrat of all the servants, the housekeeper, who
yields to her, and to her alone, with a good grace.

" Whose carriage is that ?" she inquired of a foot-
man behind her chair, pointing to one which had just
driven up to the portico of tho mansion, and was now
sloryly timing down an avenue opposite the saloon
window^'.

" Mr. Lee's, madam, from the Ottawa country,'* re-
plied the man.

** Ah! I must go to meet them," exclaiined the good

?00

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

;,y;

Isdy, her countenance irradiated with deligfht, «• ^
rose and moved hastily to the door. • > t

In the entrance hall she encountered the hlnfi' and
manly figure of Mr. Lee, now in middle age. .' • ■ vr

" Welcome! welcome hither I" she warmly exclaimed.
*' But who is this leaning on your arm ? Gracious
heaven ! who could have expected to see your venerable
grandfather so far from his home ? Pastor Wilson, you
are purely growing backwards, or you never could have
reached here in your ninety-eighth year !"

*' This is my last journey, Mrs. Markham," said the
aged clergyman, taking his right hand from his grand-
son's arm to meet hers, while his left leaned upon a
crutch.

" And high time," returned the good lady, laughing.
" Oh, here comes my good friend Mrs. Lee," — and she
crossed the hall with a lively »tep toward the smiling
matron of forty, who met her with responsive cordiality.
*' How many of your family have you brought with you,
pray?"

" My two sons, and the two bridesmaids, my da^gtl•
ters," was the smiiing reply. . ■ .«

" Where are they ? I must have a word with them
out of school. Feelings are not to be shown in drawing-
rooms you know," — and Mrs. Markham pressed Mrs.
Lee's hand. - -,'u .■ , •,•<■.■' ■' * ■ >■■..■.

" They are with Lucy and Clinton in the plan-
Ution."

« Is Lady Hester with them V ,

" Yes — but see, here they come."

" Then I'll toll you what, my dear Mrs. Lee, let us
«hut ourselves ip in a room apart from aenoral companv

JllE qXN^niAN GIRL.

70.1

for h h^f hour. W^ h^veeach much sentiment stinincr
in our bosoms on this joyful occasion. We have a
thousand kind things yre must wish to say to one
another. We have memories of a tender nature, which
for once perhaps ve would mutually recal ; and feelings
of joy which we desire to indulge without witnesses.

" The breakfast room that looks upon the mausoleun.,'*
suggested Mrs. Lee.

♦* The very place," assented Mrs. Markham. " Gather
our friends together while I go and order refreshments
to be carried thither for you."

" Seldom can so large a circle of true friends meet
on earth as this which I see here around me," said the
aged Pastor, aJs he sat in an antique arm chair in the
centre of his family, in the breakfast room, the patriarch
of the scene. His eyes, glistening with tears of joy,
glanced from one to another, resting with a more linger-
ing gaze on the handsome pair who sat at his right
hand.

** My bonny Lucy," said he, pressing his hand on
her fair curls, " thou hast been my chief favourite
among all my grauddaughter^s children ! and dost thou
know why ?"

" Because I am like my aunt Lucy whose name you
gave me ? — so you have often said, dear grandfather."

" That is the reason. Yes, thou art like her, or 1
ftuicy that thou art."

<* Talking of resemblances," said the young Marquis
" how is it, that, excepting Mrs. Markham, none of yoi
tell me I am like my father ?"

" Thou art exactly like him," said Lady Hestei
looking on her son with fond pride mixed with melai

102

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

choiy. " When I see you I could fancy he stood be-
t'vre me."

" And I," said Mrs. Markbam.

" I think my brother Clinton was hardly so hand-
some as my nephew Clinton," said Mrs. Lee.

" But your brother was more fascinating perhaps,"
sugprested Lady Letitia.

Lucy thought that could not be, but she did not speak
her thought.

" I must differ from both of you," said Lady Hester
to her sister. " In my opinion my husband was quite
as handsome as my son, and my son is quite as fasci-
nating as his father."

** This is a weighty matter," said the young Marquis,
smiling and ingenuously blushing. " What think youy
grandfather?" '- .; ,,

" I leave the question of personal beauty to be settled
by the ladies," rejoined the Pastor, *' but I shall take
it upon me to sp^ik of your father's character in the hope
that you and my other young listeners will remember
what I shall s'ly with pro6t. He ivas a delightful com-
panion. I was an old man when first I saw him, yet by
his eloquent tongu.<) and his pleasing manners, he won me
to love him. My ear and my fancy he alike enchanted.
No wonder then that your poor aunt Lucy lost her heart
in listening to him. Now as regards this power of win-
ning hearts, the son seems to me to be equally potent
with the father — is he not, young maiden ?" tapping
the neck of the intended bride.

Lucy blushed celestial rosy red, and so did the young
Marquis. ■

*' To go on," continued the Pastor, '' Clinton was

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

•:0:i

■be-

nd-

j»

3ak

jwssrsEeci of extensive general knowledge, which made
liini still more seductive as a companion. He composed
poeti)- — knew how to make you in love with tht poetical
parts of every science — was versed in all manly ac-
complishments without making them his ftudy — and
had a taste so noble, so delicate, and so enlarged, that
I never found an equal to it." , . , . . , , . r ^ , .

" Here's an eulogium !" exclaimed Mrs, Markham.

Lady Hester's memory brought before her the idolised
image of the departed, and she wept.

" But all the fine sentiments with which his mind
was stored," resumed the Pastor, " provei'. ineffectual in
preserving liim from the power of temptation. His ima-
gination had at will a host of beautiful visions of good-
ness, heroism, and purity ; but his power to perform
that which was good was weak as any man's. To know
and to do require different studies my children. To
X«ow, you must inform your head — to cfci, y^u must
purify your heart. Speculation is not practice. Dreaming
and talking of virtue is very well in its place, but take
heed that ycu do not fall into vice the while. You have
heard Clinton's story — you know what led to his dreadful
I lid — you have heard from Lady Hester the errors he
committed before he came to America — ^}'ou know it was
through his faulty conduct I lost my grandchild Lucy.
Lay all this to heart, and while you think upon him
with alFfclion, beware of his frailties. Be not content
with induljjinu: in fine sentiment. Remember Shaks-
j)caie's words — ' It is a good divine tiiat follows his own
instructions. I can easier teach twenty what were good
to be done, than be one of the twenty to ibilow muio
own tcniching.' But I sec Lucy thinks me tedio

()!1S-

'lit

704

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

" No Indeed, dear grandfather, I was thinking deeply
of what you said

" An old man, my dear good girl, may be allowed to
moralise a little even on the eve of a wedding — msy
be not ? I I'ave nearly completed a century — I see my
liiird gc'neration grown up — these are circumstances
that move uw to graver thought than you can enter
into."

" Speak whatever you wish, grandfather," said Mrs.
Lee, looking with reverential affection on the thin flakes
of white hair which the breeze from the window softly
waved. " My children, in which I include our young
noblemen, cannot have you with them much longer,
your words therefore should be to them as choice
silver."

" I love to see them enjoying the innocent mirth
suitable to their years, and to an occasion like this,"
returned the Pastor. " I will not intrude unseasonable
gravity »ipon them. Only as this young bridegroom,
that is tc be, was speaking of his father, I could not
refr?.:n from drawing a lesson foi h'in from \he theme.
Yon neat marble temple reminds me that there is another
of whom I could say a few words. The Pirate-Marquis,
my son-in-law, Mrs. Lee's father, to whom she indeed
paid a daughter*s duty, he was a .ery different character
from that I have recently described, but in some re-
spects they ileserve to be compared. The crowning
g^race of Clinton was sentiment, that of his father dignity.
The leading defect of the one was principle enervated
bv a redundance of fancy, io the other principle over-
powered by a passion for rule. Clinton inspired lovo,
the I'in'te admiration. Clinton might have bewitched

THE CANADIAN GIRL.

705

the world, tlie Pirate might have commanded it. As it
was, both being at sea without rudder or compass
were fatally shipwrecked, and both furnish us with the
trite moral, tiiat genius and ability will neither benefit
mankind or their possessors \( they goveyyi principle, in-
stead of being governed py principle."

" And have you any thing to teach tnc from the historr
of tn^ aunt whose name 1 bear?" asked Lucy.

" This is what I would teach you, my dear," sa.a
(he Pastor, " be devoted and sincere in your affections
and attentions to your husband. Depend on it, it is
only by being so that you can render yourself^ as well
as l.Ti, happy. Were wedded persons more bent to
fulfil their marriage vows there would be more peace
and joy in that glorious union than there is. If one
party swerve from their duty the other too often makes
that a plea for abandoning theirs. But do thou, my
Lucy, keep thy promises to him made before God
nlways in thy view, and thou canst not err. Thy hus-
band, 1 firmly believe, is worthy of thee; but whatever
conduct he pursues, be thou sincere, for that will prove
a balm to thy conscience, and a passport to the world
to come. To your sisters I say let your aunt Lucy s
example warn them to be exceedingly careful when
[irst they perceive their affections becoming entangled
that the object is worthy of their choice."

" You remember the priest who longed for the days
of (he inquisition ?" said Mr. Lee to his wife.

" In the prison of Quebec? — he who attended my
fatlier ?"

He died from the effects of an accident

The Pastor and
4 X

*' The same.
as lit' \u'is trav;

I ling near our valley

700

THE CANADIAN GIRL.*

I were fortunately able to be of service to him durinc;
his painful illness, and he left the world in great charity
W'th us and all Protestants."

*' When was this V

" At the time when I was making my last timber
sales."

" Deeds that bespeak a spirit of goodwill are never
thrown away," observed the Pastor. " They appeal
irresistibly to the hearts even of those who hate us.
Talking of Catholic acquaintances, there was Madame
Barry died ten years ago with the best feeling toward
us."

" Yes, she sent for me to her convent," said Jane,
" that I might be with hier in her last moments. She
professed to h!ive a mother's love for me, and so I be-
lieve she had. For this, and because she was my first
instructress, I truly honour her memory. It was her
desire that my third daughter, then an infant, should be
called by her name. Of course I complied. To this
namesake she made a singular bequest, namely, her
crosses, reliques, and Romish missals, together with a
sum of money. She also led a letter, in which she
hopes that this child when of age would adopt the Ca-
tholic faith, and jnter the convent in which she died.
But of this I haVe at present little apprehensions."

" It was chiefly through her intercession that the
estates of Rougemont are now in the possession of its
lineal heir, instead of being confiscated to the state,"
remarked Lady Letitia, '^ therefore there exist more
than personal reasons why we should respect her
memory."

*' And it was she who was mainly instrumental in

1 1 '',

THE CAN>»!:«N GIRL.

707

obtaining the Governor's leave for the interment ot' the
Marquis' body on his own estate," said Lady Hester,
" when by law it was doomed to lie with common
felons."

" Pray don't slight the living to magnify the dead,
good people," gaily interposed Mrs, Mark ham. " I
believe Madam Barry would not have accomplished what
you speak of without my aid. I must not have my
good deeds forgot. I like to hear of them as you all
know."

This provoked a laugh from the junior members of
the party, whose merriment it wanted little to excite.
They were too happy to be grave long. Their henrts
were brimful of delight, and the turning of a straw was
sufficient to call a thousand " wreathing smiles" upon
their blooming faces.

" What have I said, pray, to set you all giggling t"
cried Mrs. Markham, in assumed displeasure.

There was nothing in these words to account for the
i' ;und peal of laughter that succeeded; but then her
manner was very comical, at least so people like these,
who wanted to give a vent to their overflowing spirits,
might be pleased to think. There was nothing for it
but to laugh too, which she did as heartily as the
youngest present. They all laughed, even to the hoary
Pastor. After that there occurred a jocund conversation,
not important enough to deserve repeating, and while it
was going on the party stepped out through the glass
doors upon a terrace adorned with flowers, where they
walked in the gayest humour imaginable until they
reached the French windows of the saloon, through
which they stepped, and joined the general company.

708

THE CAXAOfAN OfRI..

The next day was hailed with general rejoicing for
miles around. During the minority of the heir to the
estates the tenants had lost many benefits and privileges
which the residence of a lord of Rougemont among
them had usually conferred. Every habi tan and cottager
assembled in holiday attire to give a heartfelt welcome
to the young Marquis, who met them in the front of
his house immediately after his marriage, his fair bride
hanginor on his arm. There he addressed them in a
short but animated speech, and they replied with an
enthusiastic shout —

" Ftvai, Marquis ! ftvcU, Marchioness !"

He then led Lucy back to the front of the saloon win-
dows, where his mother, now out of mourning for the
first time during twenty-one years, stood richly dressed
to receive her. The bridegroom's men, Lucy's brothers,
aid the bridesmaids, her sisters, were on the right of Lady
Hester, and Mrs, and Mr. Lee on her left. Beside them
stood Lady Letitia, Mrs. Markham, and other near and
dear friends ; and on an antique easy chair, in the midst
of the group, sat the venerable Pastor.

Lucy bent her Unee to the ground before him as he
held out his arms to embrace her.

*' Bless me, grandfather !" she tremulously ex-
claimed.

" 1 do — 1 do — my good girl !" returned the Pastor,
with emotion, stooping to kiss her forehead. " Thou
art the worthy daughter of a worthy mother, and thou
shall lived honoured and happy as she has lived !"

A dinner upon a grand and lavish scale had been pro-
vided in front of the house, of which rich and poorvvero
equally invited to partake. Pavilions, festooned with

THE CANADIAN GinL,

700

roses, had been erected far the occasion Two cross
tables at tlic upper end were set out with the oforgeous
family plate belonging to the mansion, and here visitors
of rank and the relatives of the Marquis tooii their
places. He himself occupied the central seat, his wi/e
being on his right, his mother on his left. A long row
of tables stretched downwards from before him, plea-
santly overshadowed by green boughs, and adorned with
vases of plants breathing a rich perfume. Several hun-
dred persons, men, women, and children, sat there; the
men and boys in gay-coloured sashes, their summer
hats of light straw lying on the grass beside them ; the
women and girls in jackets of many -coloured cloth,
French head-dresses of the brightest hues^ and their
best moccasins on their feet.

The only drawback to the general satisfaction was
this, that their young lord held the Protestant fuilh.
But they were scarcely inclined to dwell upon this un-
pleasant reflection while his hospitable cheer invited
their senses. Their attention was powerfully drawn to
this good cheer, and his heresy was for the present over-
looked by common consent.

The Pastor said grace while all stood. When seats
had been resumed, the young Marquis arose, and
pledged his tenants in a glass of sparkling ale. Each
drained the pledge, and a loud " Vival, Marquis!"
agam arose. Dinner then proceeded. As soon as it
was over wine was froely distributed, and each board
groaned beneath a iveight of foreign and native fruits,
mingled with confectionary.

After the entertainment the tables were removed, (ho
trees hung with festooned lights — green, purple, crimson.

710

THE CANADIAN 0IB2

and other colours ; the cascades, fouatains, and rivuletsy
illuminated v«^ith a surprising profusion of Russian
lights, giving thero, as by magic, the appearance uf
liquid iire ; ai^d every part of the grounds resounded
with gay music.

The tenants were under no restraint whatever. They
wandered about in this gorgeous fairy land as they
pleased: here, in some retired alcove, partaking of
foreign delicacies with whose very names they were un-
acquainted, there, dancing on the smooth sod. Never
had there been such a day in Rougemont.

On the lawn next the house the dancing was kept up
uninterruptedly. The Marquis and his bride led off
the first figure, and a bridesmaid and a young habitan
the second. I

Within the mansion the scene was dazzling. A long
suite of rooms, consisting of the great saloon, the drawing
and dining rooms, the ball-room, the conservatory and
greenhouse, were thrown into one line. Delicate pilasters,
wreathed with roses, and covered with gilding, shot up
at regular intervals on each side along the whole length
of the suite; the roof above was decorated with crowns
and wreaths of roses and lilies ; and both walls and
roof were interspersed with a million of lights equally
soft and brilliant.

The furniture was of that magnificent and antique
characi.^r, which nsensibly carried the imaginHtiou
back to the days of old iomance. There were pedestals
and sideboards of the rich time of Louis XIV. ; carved
chairs, of nn earlier date, white and gold, covered with
tapestry ; enormous mirrors in liintastically- wrought
frames; tables of red-veined alabaster backed with Vc-

THE CANADIAN Omi.

711

Yietian gkss ; floor covers of fringed damask : divers,
lounging-chairs, and couches, of patterns: quite out of
date, and all disposed uitli inimitable art.

After commencing the dances on the lawn, the noble
bridegroom and his bride lefl the festive scene for a re-
tired walk conducting to the brink of a lovely inland
lake. A green bank, that miglit have formed a couch
worthy of " Titania's " choice, afforded them a seat.
Here their eyes, even more than their lips, discoursed
eloquent music. Pure and intense happiness, altogether
without alloy, overflowed their ,^uiltless hearts. The
morning of their life glowed mih joys whose rich and
vivid colouring was unshadowed by a cloud. Yet in deep
feeling some pensiveness is ever mingled. The gaiety
they hadlell had nut harmonised with the (one of their
spirits like the hallowed stillness of this secluded spot.
Here every object and sound favoured the interchange
of the profound emotions with which the late blissful
change in their circumstances had inspired them. The
soft moonlight quivering on the deep purple surface of
the lake; the clouds above of celestial .whiteness; the
daik masses of rock which gave grandeur to the picture ;
and the indescribable richness of the wild vegetation
which was its chief grace ; all seemed in exquisite .unison
with the feelings of the lovers.

While sitting here, the distant strains of jocund music
came sweetly tempered on the ear. Now and then too
the soft laugh of a peasant girl rambling with her com-
panions near sounded not unpleasingly ; and presently
a liquid feminine voice, from a woody steep close hi
hand, trilled a little song so delightfully that it seemt^d
to be ehallenfiriD<?the nightingales in the trees to a com-

THE CANADIAN GIUL.

jutitlon Tlie Marquis unil his uviJe were delighted
with it. The uonl.s wero these: —

Now 'lis jj'oasuro's magic hour,
ET.ry bosom owns her power;
Youlhs and inaidctM nre as gay,
As life were all one bridal day.

Silence to her haunts has won as ;
See ! the moon shines soft njwn us ;
And the lulling breezos play
ParewoU to the bridal day.

Sweetly tunc the dulcet measiiio,
'Tis the magic hour of pleasure ;
Wile with song and dance away,
Vae evening of the bridal day.

Blest may bride and bridegroom dwelt.
Linked in love's entrancing b^iell ;
Nor the vows neglect to pay.
Plighted on their bridal day.

Now 'tis pleasure's magic hour,
Erery bosom owns her power;
Youths and maidens are as gay,
At life were all one bridal day.

' Before the unpretending lay was concluded the voiing
Marquis perceived some friends approaching — they
proved to be his mother, his bride's parents, and the
Pasto.' These also seated themselves on the verdant
bank, enjoying the delicious coolness and tranquillity
of the hour, and conversing in blissful concord. The
airy gladness of the rustic minstrel's expression pleased
them, as well as the good wishes breathed in her song
for the newly wedded pair. The bridegroom, who, if
he did not inherit all his father's genius, yet certainly
inherited his taste for poetry, quoted from Collins'
'• Ode on the Passions," with enthusiasm —

THE CANADIAN OIRL.

713

t(.

'* They would hare thought who heard the atrtiti,
They gaw in Tetnpe's vale her native maids ; ^
Amidst the festal sounding shades,
To some unwearied minstrel dancing.
While as his flying fingers kissed the strings,
Love framed with mirth a gay fautasttc round."

The spirits of eiach were rather deep and full than
eFerated. Lady Hester's eye frequently vested on her
son with a nidancholy rapture, and as frequently turned
away filled with tears. Her memory was busy with its
stores of sorrow, and fancy borrowed from them to image
forth its ideal pictures. She had but recently been able
to bring distinctly before her mental eye her long lost
husband ; and now his face, his figure, his graceful
mien, his smile, nay, the very cadsnce of his voice, were
palpably reaMsed. Her son perceived the tears trickling
down her cheeks, and clasped her hand in tender
anxiety.

*' It is nothiniv, my son,^' said sh«, attempting a smile,
t. heed me not." '

«* Vou wou'd not weep for nothings beloved mother,"
"eturned ^®> i**'^' more unxiously.

" I was fbinkins; of your father," said Lady Hester,
in alow, tremulous voice.

Her son was si>^"^' ^^^ loved her almost to adora-
tion, and nothing ten f*ed more to increase that love than
her devotion to his fatAer's memory. Her constant gHef
for one who had been so ^ong lai<l »« the grave expressed,
as he thougnt, an unwo-WIy elevation of sentiment,
which charmed equally his imagination and his

feelings. ^'^^^

Mri. Lee had also noticed ^^a<lv IT( ster weeping, and

4 Y

714

THB CANADIAN OIRL.

:«

when she knew the cause, her ow- -^yes were bedewed
likewise. In her heart there lay the images of two
dear lost ones. Her father and her brother she still re-
gretted with many secret pangs of a bitterness none
but heaven could appreciate.

The Pastor caught the pensive infection, and one
after another the children he had laid in the dust, and
the friends who had departed, were remembered. He
talked of them, narrated many passages of his life in
which they had been concerned fifty or sixty years ago,
with a minute accuracy that would have surpritc^d his
listeners had they not been well accustomed to i' Tl en,
as night deepened, and the moon began to r: ie^ uer
meridian, he recurred again to the idols of his memory
—Lucy and Clinton. This was a theme that never
tired, and although Mr. Lee hinted that it was high
time to return to the ho**s«, no movement was made.
While the Pastor was fondly engrossed with his favourite
subject, he suddenly broke ofT, and then declared that
he hai seen his grandson Clinton exactly as when alive,
moving along by the margin of the water with a gliding
motion. The friends arose in some consternation, and
Lucy shrank into the arms of her husband with a pale
countenance.

** There ! — there !" exclaimed the Pastor energeti-
cally, pointing with his finger.

<* Where, Pastor Wilson?** cried Lady Hester,
wildly, breaking from Mrs. Lee and her son, and rushing
forward in the direction indicated.

** Mr. Lee, for Ood*s sake follow hetf !** vdak th«
Marquis, who was detained by his shrinking bride.

Mr. Lee did so with haste.

Tm CANADIAN OIRL.

7!5

The Pastor fell on his knees in the moonlight, and
clasped his hands, apparently lost to what was passing

around.

■ 'I '.a

" Pure toil the beam, and meekly bright,
Oo hit grey holy hair."

" But ah ! that patriarch's aspect shone, , /

With something holier far —
A radiar\ce ail the spirits own,
Caught not from sun or star.

" And silent stood his children by, '
Hushing their very breath.
Before the solemn sanctity
Of thoughts oe'rtweeping death."

** Grandfather !— dearest grandfather !" said Jane
in trembling tones, placing her hard on his shoulder.

** I am called away," softly ejaculated the Pastor,
looking upwards. " Hark ! — again ! I come — I come !
Lord receive my ipirit ?** and so saying he fell on his
face.

He was immediately i aised and carried to the man-
sion, where festivity and mirth still reigned with un-
broken sway, but were now to be suddenly banished by
the awful tidings of tmdden death. But the habitual
state of preparation for eternity in which the Pastor had
lived, together with his great age, precluded any feel-
ings of extraordinary surprise or horror at the event.

The mantiion witnessed no more bridal merriment,
but a solemnity, rather than any more oppressive feeling,
pervaded it. The friends kept the singular circumstances
of his death secret among themielves. The shock was
soon subdued iv a placid hallowed regret, saving only
in the bosom of L&dy Hester, who revcr sniil(>d after-
wards. She lived to an advanced i<rn^ 'Uavii firmlf

.V'^y.'-j.

716

THE CANADIATf OIRU

believing that the spirit of her husband had appeared to
summon the Pastor into eternity, and longing for the
same summons to be made, in the same manner, for
herself, j

Mrs. Lee, the amiable and long-tried " Canadian
Qirl," died earlier, in the bosom of her family, peaceful
and resigned. Of her married life, the words applied to
an oriental pattern of conjugal excellence in Holy
Writ, might with unvarnished truth, be said — ** Her
children arise up and call her blessed ; her husband
also, and he praiseth her.** No flattering epitaph, how-
ever, marks her resting place in the valley. The secret
tears of those who loved her, are her only eulogies.

THIBND

':r ■■

DIRECTIONS TO THE BINDER.

PAOB.

** Jan* wu about to fly," tta^ to torn th« FrontupUc*, tod f ice tho
VignaU Title.

" Exhausted, Jane tajr down by a tettlement and tlcpt," - • - 15

" She took the inatrument, and, touching it with a * religioua joftneas,'
Bang to it a Canadian vesper song," .-..-. 42»

" To this lovely and retired spot ihif often went, happy in sach others
confidence and esteem," „-.-..-. 615

*■* To the Psstor's utter dismay, he saw in the hollow of the vast tree
a dead br Jy," 661

J. BKNMsrr, JVM., vaiMTaa. 9i MswaATa«ST'x>BT.