fact, all of which he
relentlessly remembered. He had already a fair outline of the local
history in his mind, and this had been deepened and freshened by Dr.
Ellison's recent talk of his historical studies. Moreover, he had
secured in the course of the present journey, from his wife's and
cousin's reading of divers guide-books, a new store of names and dates,
which he desired to attach to the proper localities with their help.

"Light reading for leisure hours, Fanny," said Kitty, looking askance at
the colonel's literature as she sat down near her cousin after dinner.

"Yes; and you start fair, ladies. Start with Jacques Cartier, ancient
mariner of Dieppe, in the year 1535. No favoritism in this
investigation; no bringing forward of Champlain or Montcalm prematurely;
no running off on subsequent conquests or other side-issues. Stick to
the discovery, and the names of Jacques Cartier and Donnacona. Come, do
something for an honest living."

"Who was Donnacona?" demanded Mrs. Ellison, with indifference.

"That is just what these fascinating little volumes will tell us. Kitty,
read something to your suffering cousins about Donnacona,--he sounds
uncommonly like an Irishman," answered the colonel, establishing himself
in an easy-chair; and Kitty picked up a small sketch of the history of
Quebec, and, opening it, fell into the trance which came upon her at the
touch of a book, and read on for some pages to herself.

"Well, upon my word," said the colonel, "I might as well be reading
about Donnacona myself, for any comfort I get."

"O Dick, I forgot. I was just looking. Now I'm really going to
commence."

"No, not yet," cried Mrs. Ellison, rising on her elbow. "Where is Mr.
Arbuton?"

"What has he to do with Donnacona, my dear?"

"Everything. You know he's stayed on our account, and I never heard of
anything so impolite, so inhospitable, as offering to read without him.
Go and call him, Richard, do."

"O, no," pleaded Kitty, "he won't care about it. Don't call him, Dick."

"Why, Kitty, I'm surprised at you! When you read so beautifully! Yon
needn't be ashamed, I'm sure."

"I'm not ashamed; but, at the same time, I don't want to read to him."

"Well, call him any way, colonel. He's in his room."

"If you do," said Kitty, with superfluous dignity, "I must go away."

"Very well, Kitty, just as you please. Only I want Richard to witness
that I'm not to blame if Mr. Arbuton thinks us unfeeling or neglectful."