14 Quebec ana its Environs. 



a guide with them. A tragical occurrence enshrines the old 

 building with a tinge of mystery, which only awaits the pen 

 of a novelist to weave out of it a thrilling romance. The 

 legend may be condensed as follows : — Somewhere about 

 the year 1757, the French Intendant, Bigot, who had charge 

 of the public funds of Canada, attempted to lead here the 

 same dissolute life which the old Noblesse of France led 

 before the French Revolution, and built this country seat 

 in which to seek relaxation from the cares of office. Hunt- 

 ing was a favourite pastime of this old noble, and this 

 indefatigable Nimrod on one occasion, tracking a deer which 

 he had wounded, strayed far away from his chateau, and was 

 overtaken by the shades of evening in the midst of a dense 

 forest. Exhausted with hunger and fatigue, he sat down to 

 ponder on what course he should pursue, when, startled by 

 the sound of footsteps, he perceived before him a light 

 figure, with eyes as black as night, and raven tresses flowing 

 in the night wind.. It was an Algonquin beauty, one of 

 those ideal types whose white skin betray their hybrid 

 origin — a mixture of European blood with that of the 

 Aboriginal race. It was Caroline, a child of love, born on the 

 banks of the Ottawa, a French officer her sire, and the 

 Algonquin tribe of the Beaver claimed her mother. Struck 

 with the sight of such beauty, he requested her guidance to 

 his castle, as she • must be familiar with every path of the 

 forest. . . . The Intendant was a married man, but his 

 lady seldom accompanied her lord on his hunting excursions, 

 remaining in the Capital ; but it was soon whispered abroad, 

 and came to her ears, that something more than the pursuit 

 of wild animals attracted him to his country seat. Jealousy 

 is a watchful sentinel, and after making several visits to the 

 castle, she verified her worst fears. ... On the night of the 

 2nd July, when every inmate was wrapped in slumber, a 

 masked person rushed upon this "fair Rosamond," and 

 plunged a dagger to the hilt in her heart. The whole 



