Chambly, and Vermont shadowy bounded the hori-
zon; and, turning from these, abrupt before him rose
the awful and spectral presence of Mount Royal.
Skirting its foot he now proceeded, brushing away the
shining dew, disturbing the lazy lizard and the sere-
nading grasshopper, and hearing below him the harsh
croaking of the bullfrog in the pool; whilst, ever and
anon, the gust awoke, with a huge sigh, the dream-
ing maples, poplars, and dark, penitential pines.
From the remote, secluded farms came the faint bark
of dogs; and amidst such sights and sounds he at
length emerged upon the winding road, that, if fol-
lowed, would lead him past Stillyside. Slowly and
without special aim he continued to walk, ruminat-
ing and still drawn onwards, lured by the time and
scene, until the sound alike of mastiff and of cur had
ceased, the grasshopper refused to pipe upon the
dusty road, and the too distant bullfrog was no
longer heard gurgling to its mates, but all was silent,
lying as in a trance, both heaven and earth. And
then he paused, and lapsing into meditation, stood
unconscious of surrounding things, till the tolling of
the clock in the distant tower of the cathedral of
Notre Dame awoke him, and, starting from his reve-
rie and listening, he counted the hours to the full
score of midnight. Struck, then, by the weird as-
pect of the scene and singular silence, a vague sense
of horror stole through him, and he exclaimed
hoarsely: "This is the very witching time of night,
when churchyards yawn and spirits walk abroad!"
and scarcely had the words escaped his lips when
a wild tumult rose near him, and he perceived a
bacchanalian and disorderly troop of both sexes

[[29]]

p028 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p029w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p030

v?