Marie Gourdon / A Romance of the Lower St. Lawrence

memories

tance of tim

scene come

things uncha

we cannot

we cannot

souls to t

member'd

gfe

to entertain themselves. And, added to the charm of her manner, and her undoubted tact in bringing the right people together, Lady Severn had all the accessories to make a dinner party go off well. The large dining-

them, which shed a clear though subdued light on the dinner table and the faces of the guests, and brought i

ning when a good run was in prospect. His wife sat opposite him. She was a beautiful old lady, her face clear-cut as a cameo. Her features were regular, and her bright

d gown she wore pins made of the Severn diamonds. Round her neck glistened a magnificent necklace of these gems, which w

bout her celebrated guest, who

ry severe nervous headache, and to-night did not feel inclined to come to dinner. However, I hope later on she will be be

ady Margaret, "and No?l is, for him, quite exci

about that herself some day. She has only been with us a week, but already we are very fond

siastic on the subject of French Canadian boat-songs. Do you thin

ext week, and goes from here to London. You may have better lu

for we should have been delig

neteen, who was endeavoring to amuse The McAllister, a difficult task-"

ks of the St. Lawrence-so

lady, whom I supposed to have been fairly well educated, asked me, in the most matter-of-fact tone, whether we went down

tell her?" i

her a rapid or a toboggan; she would

ould make an excursion to Canada, and ta

other, "come, we must go. Mademo

Elsie saying in an unde

those stupid politics. I want

hrug of his shoulders. "I take no interest

interest in," remarked the young lady mis

find Mademoiselle Laurentia, so Lady Severn

and fetch some shawls; the

eeny whiteness over the distant hills. The garden at Mount Severn was an old-fashion

ng flowers. Every once in a while one came across a huge copper beech, and gloo

ied the fountain in the middle of the garden. There were many roughly-hewn, picturesq

nk this is the most delightful garden I ever saw in my life. They

ssented its proprietress. "But w

opper beech. See, you can catch a glim

arently deep in thought. She was clad in a gown of some soft shimmery white material, which fell in graceful folds about her, and in the clear bea

and her face could be distinctly seen. A very sweet face it was, t

that most characteristic feature, was somewhat large and expressive. But the successful prima donna's face wore a not a

rentia, how is your hea

ite gone now. And how did

was a little more lively than usual. He is most an

id Mademoiselle L

eet him there?"

led McAllister a long time a

lk as if you were a hundred. I'm sur

t so very much older; but i

in spite of all its success. I don't want to intrude, but I

talk of it to-night, though. N

particular stress on the present time,

ou now?" asked Mademoiselle Laurentia s

ve all things, if y

shall it

s Slumber-song. This is jus

d the highly-trained voice of the prima donna performed the difficult runs and trills of this most beau

one spoke, till at length Elsie Severn, drawing

ike that before. I thought I had heard you at your best in

pleased, my dear. Wo

ust wait a moment though;

ere Lady Severn sat, and

, don't let any of them come over to us. She can't bear

sh. I hope, though, you did not ask made

d not, mamma. She of

eption, and been mutually pleased with each other. There was something about the frank outspoken manner of the young girl which appealed to M

lsie, "I am ready. It is so

troking the girl's fair hair caressingly. "Listen! I will sing f

man's barge or habitant's canoe, on the Ottawa or great St. Lawrence-a n

chnical difficulties of Wagner and Gounod sang thi

laire f

lant pr

uvé l'ea

me suis

gtemps que

e ne t'o

gtemps que

e ne t'o

er with you? Have you seen a ghost? Yo

hat a row you're making! I do feel a littl

walking with her head in her hands. This is the time of year she always turns up. It must be the spring house-cleaning that disturbs her rest. Did you see

, so do stop chattering, Jack, and for goodness' sak

The McAllister in such a temper before. As a rule, he is too

Point, where the tide was coming in rippling over the stones, and his memory had gone back to an evening ten years ago. He

ngtemps qu

e ne t'o

as sayin

u know, my

gtemps que

stronger, mightier." And the girl had answered, looking at him wi

e;" and their voices joined in the refrain

ngtemps qu

e ne t'o

Elsie Severn, coming towards him, and n

ng," put in the irrepressible Jac

into the house, and I will give you a cup of tea. That will do yo

atter with me. I should like to be int

way," said Elsie. "Is she not pret

How could I have

nblushingly; it was b

se to them now, and Elsie said

llister to you, mademoise

left alone for a moment. She was the first to break the awkward silence, as s

e this country,

? Is that all you have to s

you? Is not this a fine old gard

calm, aggravating way. Reproach me! Anythin

. I am thankful now you did leave me. And, Mr. McAllister, I must remind you that only to my most int