It was in this state of things that, one pleasant evening, Emilie
walked to the sea-shore, which was at no great distance from the tent
in which she lived. The moon occasionally shone out from the clouds
that were drifting across the sky, and threw its silver light upon the
waves that came with a gentle swell and broke upon the pebbly beach.
The scene was tranquil, but it could not soothe the heart of Emilie,
who had now many causes of anxiety. The disturbed state of the little
community upon the island, the brawls and riots that were occurring
almost every day, and a general feeling of fear and insecurity which
she shared with her friends, had cast a deep gloom over her mind. The
conduct of Rogere had been offensive to her on several occasions, but
that which caused her most vexation and sorrow was the strange demeanor
of Brusque, her former lover. On the night of their deliverance from
the pirates on board the ship, he had made himself known to her,
and their meeting was marked with all the fondness and confidence
of former times. But from that period, he had treated her only with
common civility. He had indeed been most careful to provide for her
comfort and that of her parents. Though he had been very industrious in
promoting the general welfare of the colony, it was apparent that he
felt a special interest in contributing to the peace and happiness of
Emilie and her aged parents. By his care their tent was so contrived as
to afford a perfect shelter, and it was supplied with everything which
circumstances permitted, that could minister to the pleasure of its
inmates. It was daily provided with the finest oranges, the freshest
figs, and the choicest pineapples. And it was evident that this was
all done either by Brusque himself, or by some one at his bidding.
But still, he seldom came to the tent; he never sought any private
conversation with Emilie; and sometimes, when he looked upon her, she
could perceive that his countenance bespoke a deep but melancholy
interest; and no sooner was his feeling noticed, than he hastened to
disguise it.
While Emilie was walking upon the beach, she thought of all these
things; of the unsettled state of the colony, the uncertainty of their
fate, and of the rude manner in which she had been addressed by
Rogere. But her mind dwelt longest and with the deepest interest upon
the mysterious demeanor of Brusque. It was while she was pursuing this
train of thought that she was startled at perceiving the figure of a
man partly hidden in the shadow of a high rock which stood close to the
water’s edge, and which she was now approaching. But we must reserve
the scene which followed for another chapter.
(_To be continued._)
The Sun.
The sun is rising! Did you ever think of the many benefits produced by
the sun? Let us go upon the top of a hill, and see the sun rise, and
consider, for a moment, the effects that are produced.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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