(_The Servant retreats hastily_.) _Mait_. The curse of having lived in these wilds cleaves to me in all things. Here are Andre and Mortimer, and a hundred more, and none but I for this midnight service. _Ser't_. (_Re-entering_.) The horse is waiting, Sir,--but here's two of these painted creturs hanging about the door, waiting to see you. (_Handing him a packet_.) There's no use in swearing at them, Sir, they don't understand it. _Mait_. (_Breaking the seals hastily, he discovers the miniature_.) Back again! Well, we'll try drowning next,--nay, this is as I sent it! That rascal dropped it in the woods perhaps! Softly,--what have we here! (_He discovers, and reads the letter_.) Who brought this? _Ser't_. The Indian that was here yesterday. _Mait_. Alaska! Here's blood on the envelope, on the letter too, and here--This packet has been soaked in blood. (_Re-reading the letter_.) "To-morrow"--"twelve o'clock" to-morrow--Look if the light be burning in the Lady Ackland's window,--she was up as I passed. "Twelve o'clock"--There are more horses on this route than these cunning settlers choose to reckon. Why, there are ten hours yet--I shall be back ere then. Helen--do I dream?--This is love!--How I have wronged her.--This _is_ love! _Ser't_. (_At the door_.) The horse is waiting, Sir,--and this Indian here wont stir till he sees you. _Mait_. Alaska--I must think of it,--_risk?_--I would pledge my life on his truth. He has seen her too,--I remember now, he saw her--with me at the lake. Let him come in.--No, stop, I will speak with him as I go. [_Exeunt_. DIALOGUE VI. SCENE. _Lady Ackland's door_. _Lady Ackland_. Married!--His wife?--Well, I think I'll not try to sleep again. There goes Orion with his starry girdle.--Married--is he? _Maid_. Was not that Captain Maitland that was talking here just now, Lady Harriet? _Lady A_. Go to bed, Margaret,--go to bed,--but look you though. To-morrow with the dawn that furnishing gear we left in the tent must be unpacked, and this empty room--whose wife, think you, is my guest tomorrow, Margaret? _Maid_. Bless me! If I were to guess till daylight, my lady---- _Lady A_. This young Maitland, you think so handsome, Margaret---- _Maid_. I?--la, it was not I, my lady, I am sure. _Lady A_.--He will bring us his wife home here tomorrow, a young and beautiful wife. _Maid_. Wife?---- _Lady A_. Poor child,--we must give her a gentle welcome. Do you remember those flowers we saw in the glen as we passed?--I will send for them in the morning, and we will fill the vacant hearth with these blossoming boughs.---- _Maid_. But, here--in these woods, a wife!--where on earth will he bring her from, my lady? _Lady A_. Ay, we shall see, to-morrow we shall see,--go dream the rest. [_Exit the maid_.