A Canadian Heroine, Volume 1

hing heat. The grass was, for the present, as green as English grass, but the sky overhead was more glorious than any that ever bent above an English landscape. So far away it r

osy and golden splendour. Under such skies the roughest landscape, the wildest forest, softens into beauty; such light

into a destroying Thor. Far away, seen over a low projecting point of land, white sails gleamed now and then, as ships moved upon the lake from whence the river came; and nearer, upon the great stream itself, a few boats were idling. In the bend formed by the point, and quite near the lake, lay a sm

n of boughs and flowers. If you had seen Mrs. Costello and her daughter sitting upon the verandah, as they were tolerably sure to b

st the river, and her rocking-chair beside it. Some knitting was in her hands, but she could

manly grace, kept her caressing baby ways. Something unusual, not only in degree but in kind, belonged to her brilliant beauty, and set it off. The marvellous blackness of hair and eyes was so soft in its depth, the tint of her skin so transparent in its duskiness, her slight figure so flexible, so exquisit

life be absorbed in her child's. But to-night Lucia was dreaming of England, the far-away "home" which she had never seen, but of which almost all

nsets as lovely

," she said; "they are as lovely to

ked about going hom

ur going, not of min

Mrs. Costello could not talk to her just then. A troubled expression crossed her own face for a

int wash of the river against the bank sounded plainly, and a woodpeck

een no interruption. "But about this picnic, Lucia; do

a baby to ask such a question. I stayed away from

let you go-and, indeed, I do not forbid your going this time. Understand that

you wish me to stay at home, I wish i

ng as she leaned over to gather a spray of pale prairie roses that climbed up the trellis-work. The pretty scentless blosso

is out, mamma, and the gate is f

he had had time to cross the parlour and hall to the outer door, the little garden-gate opened, and a very pretty wo

e to meet her wit

ought of it being you. Luci

In fact, I ought not to be here at all, but as I wanted to persuade you about to-

any rate, whil

king off her hat, th

rest, I assure you, with the people continually coming to ask some stupid question or to borrow something. The house

ng more elaborate than usual; do y

ugh, "cannot be quite so sanguine; but, however, they do expect great fun, and I came to imp

ruptly. She resumed, "You know I never leave home; and it may be excused to a

g our tiny backwood's society, 'the world;' and as for Lucia, if you will not come with her, I promise, at

d immediately afterwards rose, saying, "I suppose Bella cannot leave Bob, and Lucia wi

come, I promise you for her. And,

for committing a theft. Good-bye. I sh

n, through the wicket by which she had entered. A minute after the sound of her

een overpersuaded. Inde

airs to send you to her in the morning; so now all you have to do is to see that your things are rea

re all ready. I don't want t

ou changeable

t least not w

led, "What is the

ntly. "Oh, it is so

stupid? A

ed half shyly, half saucily

t pe

s been te

, my child? That

n with her two elbows resting on Mrs. Costello's lap, and her red cheek hidden b

find enough ladies for partners; so Mr. Bellairs said there were plenty of partners in the neighbourhood, and pretty ones, too; and Mr. Percy made some speech about being already quite convinced of the beauty of the Cacouna ladies. You know the kind of thing a man would say when Mrs. Bellairs and Bella were there. But

as deep a flush on her cheek as on her da

"but this rara a

er, because he saw her every day. Then Mr. Percy asked what was her name, and Mr. Bellairs told him. But when Mr. Percy asked Maurice something, he only sai

correctly reported. Who

the dark parlour on to the verandah; but Lucia, springing

the gate, and she sent me in. I assure you I did not hear more t

On the contrary, you did

. Lucia is to be with M

sent that she will no

airs and Miss Latour on the way.

randah and was silent, his eyes turned to

Mrs. Costello to dream of "making conver

out snowy white as it went silently with a zigzag course up the stream. Between the river and the cottage every object began to be visible with that cold distinctness of outline which belongs to clear moonlight,-every rail of

d-a passionate yet impotent desire to escape. She pressed her hand upon her heart. The motion roused her from her reverie which indeed had lasted but a minute-one of those long minutes when we

d it up brightly, and opening the door of the adjoining room, called Lucia, who came, slow and reluctant, at the summons. Maurice pushed forward a little chintz-co

d, "it is too hot;" so she wen

to Mrs. Costello, but turned so that without positively looking round, he could se

ure changed its position; the head was gradually turned more towards the speakers, and Maurice's as gradually was averted until the two attitudes were completely reversed; he and Mrs. Costello appeared to be engrossed in the subject of a conversation which had now grown animated, while Lucia, from her retreat, stole more and more frequent glances at the visitor. At

rice, was, if possible, even more sweet and winning than usual; but nothing had been said of the next day's pla

a fine day to-m

unity of speaking, "I am sure mamma does not want me to go, and I would so much

ucia, this is a me

not. I am quit

her's promise, and I do not see how you can bre

silent, lo

versation at dinner to-day? I wonder

la Latour w

er. Of course it was. Well, at

k it's not right," she added with energy, the hot colour rushing

e you it would be giving the enemy an advantage to stay away to-morrow, and I suppose, if I constitut

it and with mock gallantry pressed it to his heart; but as he turned through the wicket and along the footpath which led to his home close by, he continued twirling the flower in his fingers

hamber which had been fitted up twelve years before for a child's use; but the child had grown almost into a woman, and there were traces of her tastes and occupations all about. There was a little book-shelf, where Puss in Boots, and Goldsmith's History of England, still kept their places, though the Princess had stepped in between them

haps it is the best; the whole mental nature may be mine, as the whole physical is--" Her hand pressed strongly upon her heart. "I have been at peace so long," she went on, "yet I always knew trouble must come again,

so as not to wake her child; yet firmly, as if she would sh