overlooking
the sea on one side, and a wide extent of country, consisting of
undulating downs and verdant fields, in which countless cattle were
feeding, with the numerous houses of the planters embosomed in trees on
the other. In the north-west the town of Saint John's was clearly seen;
while here and there, some of the many deep creeks and bays which indent
the coastline could be distinguished running far inland, several
swelling into estuaries and others forming commodious harbours. Isles
and islets of all shapes and sizes lay scattered off the shore, and far
away towards the west the islands of Guadaloupe, Montserrat, Nevis, and
Saint Kitt's, rose out of the blue ocean.

"What a perfect Arcadian scene!" said Alick, as he and his companion
gazed over the smiling landscape.

"And the Arcadians are kept in proper order by yonder frowning
batteries," remarked Stella, pointing to the line of fortifications.
"Until free and enlightened governments are established throughout the
globe, we cannot hope to find a true Arcadia. How many a lovely region
such as that now spread out before us has suddenly become the scene of
rapine and bloodshed!"

"But those batteries are intended to defend not to overawe the
inhabitants, and wherever the glorious flag of England waves, there, at
all events, we may hope to find true liberty and peace," answered Alick.

"I would, then, that the flag of England were waving now over the whole
world," said Stella, with an involuntary sigh; "I long for peace and
rest, but since those who have the power are supine or indifferent to
the sufferings of their fellow-creatures, it must be left to individuals
to attempt the task of redressing the wronged, and restoring freedom to
the oppressed."

Alick was puzzled what to answer. He guessed that Stella was alluding
to her father's schemes for regenerating the world. As far as he
understood them, from the few remarks the colonel had let drop, they
were, he considered, utterly hopeless, but he could not tell Stella so.
One thing, however, he discovered that though her enthusiasm and love
for her father had made her warmly enter into his views, she was a true
woman at heart, and as really feminine as he could desire. Alick
changed the subject, and soon interested her with a description of his
Highland home and the Western islands of Scotland. He fancied as they
rode back that her manner had become softer when she addressed him than
at first, and