86 THE SMUGGLER. 



"Through almost the whole of the war," replied Sir Edward 

 Digby, quietly, without noticing, even by a glance, the change 

 of expression which his words had produced. He then paused 

 for a moment, as if waiting for some other question; but both 

 Miss Croyland and her sister remained perfectly silent, and the 

 former turned somewhat pale. 



As he saw that neither of his two fair companions were 

 likely to carry the conversation a step further, the young 

 officer proceeded, in a quiet and even light tone: " This part 

 of the country," he continued, "is always connected in my 

 mind with Canada; and, indeed, I was glad to accept your 

 father's invitation at once, when he was kind enough to ask 

 me to his house ; for, in addition to the pleasure of making his 

 personal acquaintance, I longed to see scenes which I had often 

 heard mentioned with all the deep affection and delight which 

 only can be felt by a fine mind for the spot in which our 

 brighter years are passed." 



The younger girl looked to her sister, but Edith Croyland 

 was deadly pale, and said nothing; and Zara inquired in a 

 tone to which she too evidently laboured to give the gay cha- 

 racter of her usual demeanour, "Indeed, Sir Edward! May I 

 ask who gave you such a flattering account of our poor country ? 

 He must have been a very foolish and prejudiced person: at 

 least, so I fear you must think, now you have seen it." 



"No, no! oh, no!'' cried Digby, earnestly, "anything but 

 that. I had that account from a person so high-minded, so 

 noble, so full of every generous quality of heart, and every 

 fine quality of mind, that I was quite sure, ere I came here, I 

 should find the people whom he mentioned, and the scenes 

 which he described, all that he had stated, and I have not 

 been disappointed, Miss Croyland." 



"But you have not named him, Sir Edward," said Zara; 

 "you are very tantalizing. Perhaps we may know him, and 

 be sure we shall love him for his patriotism." 



" He was an officer in the regiment to which I then be- 

 longed, 5 ' answered the young baronet, "and my dearest 

 friend. His name was Layton; a most distinguished man, 

 who had already gained such a reputation, that, had his rank 

 in the army admitted it, none could have been more desired to 

 take the command of the forces when Wolfe fell on the heights 

 of Abraham. He was too young, however, and had too little 



