ald that
such a state of things, "could not go on for ever--whatever"? Had not
Peegwish glared prophecy with a degree of solemnity that rendered words
not only impossible, but unnecessary? and had not Miss Trim asserted
that dreadful consequences of some sort were _sure_ to follow?

Dreadful consequences did follow, and they began with a fine warm day.
For a considerable time the fields of snow had been subjected to the
influence of the blazing sun, and had been greatly diminished in depth.
The day in question, however, was so very warm that Louis Lambert was
induced to take his horse and gun with a view to wolf-hunting on the
plains. The hard crust formed on the snow's surface by the partial
meltings of early spring is sufficiently strong to bear the weight of a
wolf, but will not support a horse. Wolves, therefore, roam about with
ease and at will at that period, while horses are obliged to keep to
beaten tracks. When, however, the thaws set in, the case is reversed.
The wolf, with his short limbs, flounders laboriously in the drifts of
soft snow, while the horse, with his long and powerful legs, can gallop
in spite of these. Thus wolf-hunting becomes, for a time, possible.

Louis Lambert was fond of the chase. He was also fond of courting, and,
resolving to combine the two, galloped away to the abode of old
Ravenshaw. He had been there so often of late that he felt half ashamed
of this early morning visit. Lovers easily find excuses for visits. He
resolved to ask if Herr Winklemann had been seen passing that morning,
as he wished his companionship on the plains--the shallow deceiver!

"Good-morning, Cora," he said, on entering the hall.

Elsie, who stood at the window with her back to the door, turned quickly
round.

"Oh, I beg pardon," he said, with a slightly confused air; "I thought
you were Cora, and--"

"Well," interrupted Elsie, with a hurt look that accorded ill with a
twinkle in her eyes; "I think you might know the difference between me
and Cora by this time, though you only saw my back."

"Ah, Elsie!" returned the youth, as he shook hands, "you ought in
fairness to make allowance for the effects of spring. You know full
well that the glare of the sun on the snow half blinds a fellow, so that
even when, when--"

"Come, now, don't search about in your empty brain for one of your
unmeaning compliments, but say at once what brings you here at so early
an hour. Has a war party of Sioux come d