The Bastonnais: Tale of the American Invasion of Canada in 1775-76Lespérance, John
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The Bastonnais: Tale of the American Invasion of Canada in 1775-76
Lespérance, John
Canadian Invasion, 1775-1776 -- Fiction
"What?" queried Roderick.
"I thought perhaps...."
"But it is, Pauline."
"You don't mean it?"
"It is no other."
"Cary Singleton!"
Forgetful of everything, in her transport, she applauded with her gloved
hands. Roderick took off his cap and saluted.
"This is a brave sight, Pauline, and well worth our coming thus far to
see."
The girl was silent, and when at length she diverted her eyes, it was
not to encounter those of her companion. A slight trouble arose within
her which might have increased into an embarrassment, had not another
incident almost immediately occurred to give distraction.
The rider, having finished his gyrations, returned to his friends, who
after a brief parley dispersed, leaving him alone with a small group of
two or three, among whom appeared to be a lady on horseback. At least,
so thought both Roderick and Pauline. They did not mind the
circumstance, however, and were on the point of retracing their steps
homeward, when they noticed that two riders detached themselves from the
rest and took the direction of the plain. It was easy to recognize Cary
Singleton, and, in a few moments, as easy to see that he was accompanied
by a lady. The twain went along at a gentle walk directly towards the
St. Lawrence. The sun was still shining brightly, and as they rode, they
were sometimes in light and sometimes in shadow, according as they
passed the leafless maples that skirted the path. When they reached the
high bank overlooking the river, they stopped for a few moments in
conversation, Singleton evidently describing something, as indicated by
the movement of his arm along the line of the stream and again in the
direction of the town.
While they were thus engaged, the couple on the Citadel watched them
closely without uttering a word. The reader will readily guess that
Pauline watched the man, and Roderick the woman. Of the two, the latter
was far more intent in his observation, the former looking on in rather
a dreamy way.
At length, the officer and the amazon turned their horses' heads on
their backward journey. As they did so, they both happened to look
directly toward the town. Whatever it was that drew their attention, it
was sufficiently interesting to cause them to stop and confer together.
Then the lady made a sudden movement as if to advance straight forward,
but she was restrained by her attendant, who pointing to the guns on the
ramparts, made her understand that she must keep out of range.
It was at this point that Hardinge abruptly broke silence.
"I thought so," was his brief remark, uttered almost sternly between his
teeth.
Pauline did not appear to hear him.
"I knew I was not mistaken," he continued a little louder.
Pauline caught the word and looked up in wonder.
"I have a right to remember her."
"What do you mean, Roddy?"
"It is the very same riding habit?"
Pauline was now perfectly astonished. Hardinge's face was aglow.
"I would know that form in a thousand."
"What form?"
"And that carriage."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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