It _was_ a _fact_ that the "_Strong Wind_" was getting sick; and a fact also that Daniel thought he had gone home, as he told the good lady; and two other facts followed the next day--the one was, that the journey to the country was not made that morning; and the other, that the "jolly fat dame" was at the Hall at an early hour of the evening as usual. Her visit was carefully timed, so as to allow her a little time for gossip with Daniel at the door, and to subject her to the delightful possibility of accidentally meeting the "_Strong Wind_" as she had sometimes done, in the half-lighted hall. "You see, Daniel, that I didn't get off this morning; and when I am in London I cannot keep away from those curious fellows, the Indians. They are here, I suppose, before this?" "Yes, madam, they have just come in in their bus." "Well, how is Cadotte? he is _my_ favourite, you know." "Well," said Daniel, "I don't think he's any better: I believe there is but one thing that will cure him." "Bless me, you don't say so! What do you think is the matter with him?" "Why, I think he is in love, madam; and I don't believe there is anything under heaven else that ails him." "Oh! now, but you _don't think_ so, do you, really?" "I do, indeed, madam; and I don't wonder at it, for there are charms that are lavished upon him that are enough to----" "Oh! come, come, now, Daniel, don't give us any of your dry compliments. He's a fine man, certainly--that I _know_, and I should be sorry if he should get sick. He will be in the exhibition, I suppose, to-night?" "No, madam, I saw him a few minutes since, and he had lain down on his buffalo robe on the floor, and I heard him tell Mr. Rankin that he should not go into the room to-night; that he did not feel well enough." "So, you cruel man, you think the poor fellow is in love, do you?" "I am _sure_ of it, madam: in the next house to where the Indians lodge there is one of the most beautiful black-eyed little girls that I have seen since I have been in London, and, by putting her head out of the back window to look at the Indians, and by playing in the back yard, she long since showed to everybody who saw her that she was fascinated with Cadotte. She used to kiss her hand to him, and throw him bouquets of flowers, and, at last, letters." "Pshaw!" "It's true! And, finally, she and her sisters got in the habit of coming in to see the Indians, and, at last, the father, and mother, and brother; and they all became attached to Cadotte, and invited him to their house to take tea with them and spend the evenings; and he has at last become so perfectly smitten with the girl that he is getting sick: that is the reason why he is not at the Hall more than three evenings in the week; he spends his evenings with her, and often don't get home before twelve and one o'clock." "Oh, but you shock me, you _shock_ me, Daniel--but I don't _believe_ it--I _can't believe_ it--he _couldn't_ be _led away_ in that silly manner--I