CHAP. xs. A MISSING BRIDE. 349 



at hand was pervading the air with a most tantalising 

 aroma. The bridegroom and guest waited long and 

 patiently 



Till some one asked, 'Where is the bride?' And then 



A bridesmaid went, and ere she came again 



A silence fell upon the guests a pause 



Of expectation, as when beauty awes 



All hearts with its approach, though uubeheld ; 



Then wonder, and then fear that wonder quelled : 



For whispers passed from mouth to ear, which drew 



The colour from the hearers' cheeks, and flew 



Louder and swifter round the company ; 



And then Gherardi entered with an eye 



Of ostentatious trouble, and a crowd 



Surrounded him, and some were weeping loud. 



But they did not find Genevra dead. They found 

 the maiden picking cranberries close to the forest 

 of stunted balsam spruce which lines the shore. Her 

 anxious friends enquired the reason of such extraordinary 

 conduct. She replied 



' Do you think I am going to marry him ? he can't 

 call a loon. I heard him yesterday, and he frightened 

 the bird he may find another wife.' 



A short council was held, at which it was unanimously 

 decided not to interfere with the young people, but 

 to eat the feast, just as if the wedding had taken place. 

 The company at once repaired to the lodges and abused 

 the inconstant maiden over the seals, the loons, and the 

 porcupines. My informant told me that the lover and 

 his former mistress joined in the feast as heartily as any 

 of the rest, without any appearance of shyness or re- 

 straint. 



