The Lady of Fort St. John

n the hall, and the two exchanged kisses on

e home,

, Antonia. Has anything unusual happened in the fort

ramping of soldiers in the hall. One of the

had news. And how has

bed to me three times the gor

d Marie laughed as she warmed her

and its mother a warm seat,

ke upon her knees an object which she held indifferently. Antonia's eyes

child on thi

ike a papoose," observed Ant

her; and she added, "Zélie must go directly with me to my chests be

me be your maid

Antonia; for I have to set about the unlocki

courage, madame, sin

rowing her cloak on Zélie's arm, "for I am a most

e. This Dutch gentlewoman had seen much of the world; having traveled from Fort Orange to New Amsterdam, from New Amsterdam to Boston, and from Boston with Madame La Tour to Fort St. John in Acadia. The three figures a

march?" inquired Antonia, turning from the

n by Catholics of our blood. Edelwald will move Denys to take arms with us, if any one can. My lord depends much upon

e of this the stone-paved floor spread away unevenly. She turned her eyes from the arms of La Tour over the mantel to trace seamed and footworn flags, and noticed in the distant corner, at the botto

court scorching. Her white face kindled with heat. She threw back her mufflers, and the comfort of the child occurring to her, she look

n, and a buffet holding silver tankards and china; but these seemed lost in space. Opposite the fireplace hung two portraits,-one of Charles La Tour's father, the other of a former

he bench, and began to unroll the b

t is dead!"

ids and lips fell wider apart. She saw a big-headed brownie coming to the hearth, clad, with the exception of its cap, in the dun tints of autumn woods. This creature, scarcely more than two feet high, had a woman's face, of beak-like formation, projecting forward. She was as bright-eyed and light of foot as any bird. Moving within the inclosure of the

k was like being startled b

ooked at the vagrant girl a few minutes, "and I c

helplessly at

same. I know that downward look, and soft, crying way, and still tongue, and the very baby on your knees. You never bring a

until those unwinking eyes relieved her by

ed hair stood up in thousands of tendrils, exaggerating by its nimbus the size of her upper person. Never had dwarf a sweeter voice. If she had been compres

o complain of her antics, but not to find magic in her flights and returns. At that period deformity was the symbol of witchcraft. Blame fell upon this dwarf when toothache or rheumatic pains invaded the b

hich I must get out of my clavier,-a green tune, the color of quickening lich

le, and thrust her hea

s setting solidly forth down the uncovered

ot,-go back and fe

le has suddenly returned,"

ady comes home? I demand the bo

t concern me? Madame has

bring my

. She turned back, though muttering against the overruling of her lady's commands by a cre

in the fortress scarce half an hour, after all but shipwreck, and

e's apartment, or it may be in my own chamber. Such matters are blown out of my head by t

angle farthest from the fire. She beat her heels lightly against her throne, and

um to her tyrant. At once the hall was full of tinkling melody. The dwarf's threadlike fingers ran along the nec

ver for the appearance of Madame La Tour, the outer door again clanked, and Klussman stepped into the hall. His big presence had instant effect on Le Rossignol. Her music tinkled louder and faster. The playing sprite, sitting hal

as reminded of her duty. She made haste to bring perfumed water in a basin, and turned the linen on the settle. She the

ady left thee?" inquired Zélie sharpl

shake at him, and let herself down the back of the settle. She sat on the mandolin box in shadow, vaguely sulking, until Madame La T

Nightingale?" called

Madame

ped repression it rang through the hall. He advance

e first matter in hand i

e kindling beauty of her eyes were forever fresh delights to Le Rossigno

he settle. But she also was obliged to wait. Marie extended a h

ry greatly di

," said the culpri

ple talking about these witch flights on

t, Madam

t be well punished for this l

e offense. Your absence p

assal in the fort shall know that. A day in the turret, with a loaf of b

e," assented the

in my heart to have t

e the death of me if Shubenacadie died. Consider how long I ha

y of his. If these flights stop no

d Le Rossignol, "tipped with angel-finger feathers! Oh, M

even you to disobey me constantly," said the lady, again severe

e mandolin with antenn?-like fing

the outside of his countenance, in bulk like himself. His lady often compared him to a noble young bull

ness of one used to sudden military emergencies. He trod straight t

of a thing you ought to know. H

ept a close tongue ever since

er will in silence. It hath been no good will to me,

she, K

ow, but two years since she bore

e is not y

He lifted his lip, and his blue e

wife when you entered

'Aulnay de Charnisay

oes come from D'Au

ay put her out of the gate this instant, and let h

nity which could wait no longer, "of your kindness look at this little creature. With all my chafing and s

h that abashed hatred which a man condem

muttered, as if stating abund

me La Tour, speaking toward Marguerite's silent cover, under which the girl made no sign

lips and thin neck were all reflected in Marie's eyes. Her entire figure softened, and passionate motherhood filled her. She took the still pli

emy. It is my little dead lad come again to my bosom. How soft are his dear limbs! And this child died for lack of loving wh

nol thrust her head around the settle to see what manner