for we're late enough on the road."

On the two "ladies" thus addressed Redding and his man had been gazing
in silent surprise, for they were so good-looking and so blooming, that
it seemed to the two men, who had been accustomed of late to the sight
of none but the brown dames of the red skins, as if a couple of beings
from another and a purer world had dropped suddenly upon their path.
One of the two was evidently a lady, and was possessed of no common
share of beauty. Her dark hair contrasted powerfully with the fairness
of her skin and the whiteness of her teeth. Her dazzling black eyes
almost, and her red lips altogether, laughed as she observed Redding's
gaze of astonishment. Her companion, a very pretty Canadian girl, was
evidently her maid.

"We owe you many thanks, kind sirs," said the lady, "for your opportune
assistance."

"Pardon me, madam," said Redding, hastening forward in some confusion as
he recovered from his rather rude stare of surprise, "I dwell in the
wilderness and have been so unaccustomed of late to the sight of ladies
that--that--allow me to assist you into the sleigh!"

"Mademoiselle, permettez moi," said Le Rue, advancing to the
waiting-maid and politely offering his hand.

Another moment and the "ladies" were seated in the vehicle and carefully
repacked by our travellers, while their Irish driver mounted to his seat
in front and gathered up the reins.

"Thanks, gentlemen, many thanks," repeated the ladies, with bewitching
smiles.

"Good luck to 'ee both," cried the driver, as he flourished his whip and
drove away.

Redding and his man stood silently gazing for several minutes at the
turn in the road where the vision had vanished.

"Heaven for two minits, an' now--gone for evair!" said Le Rue, with a
deep sigh.

Redding echoed the sigh, and then laughed at the lugubrious expression
of his man's face.

"Oh _such_ eyes!" exclaimed Le Rue.

"Yes, she's rather good-looking," replied Redding, thinking of the lady.

"Good-looking! non--bootifool--exiquitely bootifool," cried Le Rue,
thinking of the maid.

Again Redding laughed. "Well well, Francois," said he, "whether
good-looking or beautiful matters little, for it's not likely that we
shall ever see them again, so the less you think about them the
better.--Allons! we are late enough and must not loiter."

They pushed ahead at once at a rapid pace, but although neither spoke,
each thought with somewhat similar feelings of