Island of Montreal. One of the riders was of gigantic
stature, and another of diminutive proportions; and all
were clad in the coarse grey frieze suit of the country,
and wore upon their heads the common blue cap or
tuque. Pursuing their way, they kept to the least
frequented paths; endeavouring to avoid recognition;
until the coming night concealed them, and they jour-
neyed beneath the decrescent and feebly shining
moon.

And now, whilst such was transpiring at the
extremities of the Island, at Stillyside, its centre,
the curtains had been drawn, and the lighted lamp,
with its frosted glass globe, shone serene and silvery,
like a minor and domestic moon. Mona Macdonald
sat sewing near a table, whilst Amanda read aloud.
On a sofa a lazy lapdog dreamed, the parrot slept on
its swing, and the bullfinch on the perch in its cage,
and in the pauses of Amanda's voice, the drowsy cat
was heard purring in its evening doze. Nothing was
heard without, except the fitful bark of the New-
foundland dog at some stray passer by; and, at length,
even that had ceased; Mona's needle was laid aside,
the domestics, obedient to the early habits of country
life, were abed, Mona herself had now retired, and
Amanda being left alone, nothing was heard but the
measured ticking of the old clock on the corner of the
stairs. The lamp had been taken away by the
departing Mona, and in the obscurity, the moonbeams
fell in grey streaks adown the damask curtains; and
after a brief meditation on the subject of her reading,
Amanda rose, noiselessly ascended the carpeted
stairs to her room, approached the window, drew
aside the drapery, and gazed towards Mainville.

[[71]]

p070 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p071w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p072

v?