iction, and without even a parting
expression of kindness and regret, she felt, for a time, that her sun of
happiness was shrouded in perpetual clouds. Romantic as this attachment
seemed, it stood the test of time and absence, lingered in the recesses
of her heart through every change of scene, and brightened the darkest
shades of doubt, and difficulty, and disappointment. Hitherto, her
firmness of mind and principle had enabled her to resist the wishes of
her aunt, and the remonstrances of La Tour; but their importunity had,
of late, increased, and evidently from an apprehension, that the
undisguised partiality of Stanhope might obtain an influence over her,
detrimental to their favorite and long cherished plans. Lucie sincerely
regretted that her choice was so unfortunately opposed to the wishes of
her aunt; and she feared to encounter the anger of La Tour, whose stern
and irritable spirit, when once aroused, was uncontrollable as the
stormy ocean. But time, she sanguinely believed, would remove every
obstacle. Stanhope was soon to leave her, and, in his absence, she might
gradually change the sentiments of Mad. la Tour; and she hoped the pride
and generosity of De Valette would prompt him voluntarily to withdraw a
suit, which was so unfavourably received. Even if these expectations
were disappointed, she would attain her majority in the ensuing spring,
when her hand would be at her own disposal, and she should no longer
hesitate to bestow it, according to the dictates of her heart.

Stanhope had offered his assistance to La Tour, in the projected
expedition to Penobscot; and, as the necessary arrangements were nearly
completed, a few days only remained for his continuance at St. John's.
To all, except Lucie, it was evident his absence would be unregretted;
for he could not but remark the cold and altered manner of Mad. de la
Tour, which she vainly endeavored to disguise, by an air of studied
politeness; nor the reserve and petulance of De Valette, which he did
not attempt to conceal. La Tour was too politic to display his dislike
towards one, whose services were so useful to him; though his prejudices
were, in reality, the most inveterate.

Father Gilbert returned to the fort, after an absence of three weeks,
and he brought intelligence which deeply concerned La Tour. D'Aulney had
entered into a negociation with the magistrates of Boston, by which he
sought to engage them in his interest, to the exclusion, and eviden