Читать книгу The Mac's of '37 A Story of The Canadian Rebellion - John Price-Brown - Страница 4
ОглавлениеTHE GOVERNOR AND HIS GUESTS.
Marie's school days were over. This was her first day off; and by invitation from Lady Head, she and her friend, Jessie, were guests at Government House.
The Governor's wife had taken a strong fancy to the tall, fair-haired girl. Queenly in figure, supple and graceful, with grey-blue eyes, teeth like pearls, and arms that Juno might have envied, it would be a wonder if she had not. Marie's principal charm, however, was the expression of her face. It was the kaleidoscope of her soul. The varied emotions of her mind, like sunshine and shadow, chased each other in quick succession over her features, for notwithstanding her youthfulness, her few years had been full of thought.
Marie's life had been a strange one. Motherless from childhood, she had lived through many of her early years with her father at his favorite haunt. This was the island of Fingal's Notch, one of the Thousand that usher Lake Ontario into the St. Lawrence River. There in her girlhood, summer after summer, enchanted by the ever-varying beauties which surrounded her, she had paddled like a fairy queen; yet, like a goddess from the Sagas of the Northland, she was unconscious of their influence upon her.
Two years had passed by since she, a maid in her teens, came to the Bradley School in the little city; and the chaos of the new life, cramped within walls that were to be both school and home, lived in her memory ever afterwards. Still her inherent candor, and the primitive charm of her manner, had won the hearts of her teachers; and the stripling maiden, who could swim like a mermaid, and run through the island woods like a deer, learned to be content in her school life and to love those who taught her.
During these long years, however, she had not once returned to her island home. Now, the suspense was to be broken, the school days were over, and the home journey at hand. It was from her father that the message came; but while pleasant to think of, it was a surprise, for the prospective three years at College were suddenly and unaccountably cut down to two, and this was to be the end.
A strange unrest, Marie had often understood, was beginning to be felt among the people; disturbing rumors were in the air; and although her father in his letter did not refer to the subject, Marie believed that this had much to do with her sudden recall.
"I intend to keep both of you until the evening," said their hostess as she greeted them. "It is such a pleasant day, that we shall probably spend the afternoon upon the water; and I shall take the liberty of sending you home by moonlight."
"Such delightful news!" returned Marie in an animated tone. "I am sure Miss Bradley will not object, now that school is over."
"We need not care much if she does," was Jessie's laughing comment. "We are her ladyship's soldiers under orders."
"I am not sure of Sir Francis' approval," said Lady Head. "Still I think I can manage it, although he is a stern disciplinarian, and we are living in troublous times. I am arranging for a little water trip beyond the island on the steamer Transit. She is now in port, and we are to start this afternoon, to return in time for dinner—provided, of course, that Sir Francis does not seriously object."
"How good of you to give us such a treat!" was Marie's further response. "I have not been on a steamer since my father brought me here two years ago on our little Petrel."
"Does your father own a lake steamer?" Lady Head asked in a surprised tone.
"Yes, he has several."
"And yet he never came to see you?"
"He believed that I would insist on returning with him if he did; and I am sure that I should have done any time during the first year."
"After that you became contented!"
"Yes, your Ladyship. I learned to appreciate my advantages."
"Your father evidently understood his daughter—a very reasonable man."
"Yes, stern as well as kind. While I always loved him, I dreaded him fully as much."
"But the dread will depart when you return home. Young ladies are rarely afraid of their fathers."
Marie's face for a moment became grave.
"When is he coming for you?" Jessie asked.
"In two days—again on the Petrel."
"I must see him this time," said Lady Head, looking directly into Marie's face. "Sir Francis, too, will wish to talk with him; he wants to know every good man we have in these rebellious days."
Marie felt uneasy. She did not know exactly why—but she did not think that her father would care to see the Governor.
"I am afraid my father will be shy, and would rather not see anyone but his own little girl, as he used to call me," she replied, looking frankly into Lady Head's face. "But it is very kind of you to mention it. You are always good to me; I can never be too grateful."
"Hoity, toity, child," replied her ladyship, repressing a sense of pique. "Ah! yonder comes Sir Francis and Lieutenant Stuart of the Transit. He is youngest son of Lord Vancroft, and claims lineal descent from the Stuarts."
Marie started, and glanced quickly across the lawn at the approaching gentlemen.
"That is Marie's name," said Jessie in a lower key. "Do you know, Lady Head, that she is descended from the Stuarts, too?"
"Oh! why did you mention it?" cried Marie, her face flushing vividly.
"It is nothing to be ashamed of!" exclaimed their hostess. "But Lieutenant Stuart does not resemble you in the least. Like Jessie, here, he's dark enough to be a Spaniard. Oh! Sir Francis, you see I have my young friends again."
"Yes," replied the Governor, gravely, "such winsome young ladies are always welcome."
And introducing Stuart, the conversation continued.
The young man's eyes soon rested on Marie, and tall though she was, he looked down from his greater height with pleasure into her animated face.
"I have just invited Miss MacAlpine and Miss Stedman to join our party, Sir Francis," exclaimed his wife. "I feel sure that the Captain of the Transit will not object."
"I can vouch for that," put in the lieutenant.
"I am always delighted to extend the courtesies of life to young ladies," reiterated Sir Francis, impressively patting the nearest one on the shoulder; "and I am glad to have the opportunity of seeing and examining the Transit. It looks like a serviceable boat, Lieutenant."
"So it is, sir. Well manned and well armed. We have a couple of guns, too, on board, as good as any that are on the lakes."
"That is satisfactory. What is more, we may need them before the year is out, in the Lower Province, if not in this."
"The very reason that we are here, sir. Captain Jerrold has been sounding the plummet all along the line; and he says that one cannot tell how soon the first break may come, either from MacKenzie here or Papineau there."
"True enough," muttered the Governor beneath his breath. "Confound that MacKenzie! Expelled from the House three times, and last year defeated at the polls; and yet utterly irrepressible."
"Yes, so I heard."
"Two of the biggest rebels of the century. I am amazed that the people are such idiots as to believe in them."
"Not all the people, surely."
"No, of course not; but there are enough to make it unpleasant for the bulk of the community, who, I am happy to believe, are thoroughly loyal."
"Ah! I see that the children are out again and our lunch is announced," said Lady Head. "We shall not have much time to spare, for I believe the Transit leaves the wharf at—"
"Half-past two!" exclaimed Lieutenant Stuart.
"Provided we are ready," added the Governor, emphatically.
"Certainly, Sir Francis."
And crossing the lawn, they entered Government House.
