became fixed upon
two. They were men, and seated--near each other, and some paces apart
from the crowd of dancers. They were Holt and Stebbins. Both were by
the side of a large fire, that threw its red light in full glare over
them--so that not only their figures, but even the expression upon their
features we could distinctly trace. The squatter, pipe in mouth, and
with head drooping down almost to his knees, looked grimly into the
fire. He was paying no attention to what was passing around him. His
thoughts were not there? Stebbins, on the other hand, appeared eagerly
to watch the dancers. He was dressed with a degree of adornment; and
exhibited a certain patronising attitude, as if master of the sports and
ceremonies! Men and women went and came, as if paying court to him; and
each was kept for a moment in courtly converse, and then graciously
dismissed, with all the ludicrous etiquette of mock ceremonial!

I looked among the dancers--scrutinising each face as it came round to
the light. There were girls and women--some of all ages. Even the
gross _mulatto_ was "on the floor," hobbling through the figures of a
quadrille. But Lilian? I was disappointed in not seeing her--a
disappointment that gratified me. Where was she? Among the spectators?
I made a hurried examination of the circle. There were faces fair and
young--white teeth and rose-hued cheeks--but not hers. She was not
among them! I turned to her sister to make a conjectural inquiry. I
saw that the eyes of Marian were fixed upon her father. She was
regarding him with a singular expression. I could fancy that some
strange reflection was passing through her mind--some wild emotion
swelling within her bosom. I refrained from interrupting the current of
her thoughts.

Up to this time, the waggon beside which we stood had been dark inside.
Suddenly, and, as if by magic, a light flashed within, gleaming through
the translucent canvas. A candle had been lighted under the tilt; and
now continued to burn steadily. I could not resist the temptation to
look under the canvas. Perhaps a presentiment guided me? It needed no
disarrangement of the cover. I had only to step a pace to one side and
opposite the curtain in the rear of the vehicle. The slight rude
hanging had been negligently closed. An interstice left open between
the two flaps permitted a fall view of the interior. A number of large
boxes and articles of household use filled up th