usual for that inclement season; and she appeared to be wringing her hands, beating her bosom, and agonized in the extremity of despair. Perceiving her perilous situation, Diganu and Chretien with all possible expedition hastened to the spot; but as they approached the projection, she was invisible. Upon examination, they found a young woman prostrate againt a jutting tree, wounded, insensible, with half her body resting on a large branch; by which, it was evident, that she had been saved from being precipitated one hundred feet into the yawning abyss. They rescued her from her imminently dangerous position, collected a bonnet, with some other articles of female winter dress, and without delay transférred her to the attentions of the neighbouring squaws. Diganu determined to remain at Lorette to await the result, while Chretien drove to Quebec to procure medical aid. During the night, she continued totally unconscious, and apparently in a deathlike stupor. Not a memorial was found, by which her name, place of abode, or connexions could be ascertained; and it was not until the morning, when the surgeon arrived and bled her, that she exhibited any symptoms of energy. Her wounds were pronounced to be slight, but as she appeared to be in a high fever, it was indispensable that she should remain where she had been first conveyed. Diganu and his companion engaged to provide all suitable conveniences, and to devote the days of the festival in assisting to restore their patient; and those thoughtless children of vanity sacrificed all their fancied enjoyments to watch a stranger, whom they had delivered from destruction, or to a daily ride into Quebec for medical direction and the necessaries essential for their protogée. When their sister, as the youths familiarly denominated her, became convalescent, they

conducted her to the city, and placed her where she could be duly attended and watched.

In reference to every thing personal, she maintained the most cautious reserve. All their ingenuity, and Diganu betrayed a peculiar interest in her welfare, was ineffectual to elicit the least glimpse of her history. There was a cause, however, for the deep sympathy which Diganu especially manifested towards her. When she was first carried to the Indian cottage, and her head was washed to remove the blood which was upon her face and temples, at the top of her forehead, was a small punctured cross, with the letter M, perfectly invisible as the hair was usually worn, and, of course, known only to herself and to the person who imprinted it. According to a delusive infatuation among some of his countrymen, Diganu had a place on his crown shaved, and on this bald spot was also a small cross, marked with the letter D. When the squaws called the young men to look at the cross concealed by her hair, thereby to ascertain the identity of her whom they had saved from death, Diganu recollected what he had been told of his own head, and desired Chretien to examine it. The similarity of the figures was so great, his friend declared, "they must have been impressed by the same person." Such a coincidence, at any other period, would have been unnoticed-but in the then state of Diganu's excited feelings, he considered it as almost miraculous; and he therefore became additionally interested in the daughter of sorrow, who had thus been so fortuitously cast upon his protection. All the parties present, the Squaws, the Indians and Chretien, being then equally superstitious, their varied remarks only tended to increase the impression upon his mind; until he resolved to make any sacrifice for her comfort and safety.

The two friends at that period were commencing life on their own basis. Both had just previously entered upon a small business; and they therefore agreed as soon as the patient had fully recovered, to make her an offer to superintend their little bachelor's establishment. She was to be considered in all points as their sister; and to receive all the attentions and endearments of that tender relation. But to this proposition, Louise,as she declared her name, steadfastly objected. She seemed to have an unspeakable aversion to be the subject of a stranger's scrutiny. When she was fully restored, Diganu and Chretien were discussing with Louise, her future prospects. When the subject was thus distinctly presented to her consideration, she instantly realized all her dependant and friendless condition. She was deeply agitated. Her friends assured her, that their solicitude was only for her comfort; and that they would consent to any arrangement which she would propose, provided that it was beneficial to herself. In the course of the interview, she acknowledged that she was qualified in various ways, to support herself; but she palpitated with tremour, whenever any plan was suggested, through which she could possibly be recognised, or even known to any other persons; and expressed her hope that the attending surgeon had not seen her forehead. This allusion reminded Diganu and Chretien of the cross, and they informed her of the discovery; but also assured her, that the nurses only, except themselves, were acquainted with it; and that the squaws merely crossed themselves, when they saw what they thought the mysteriously good sign upon her head. "I propose," said Chretien, "that we inspect that cross again. Your peculiar situation may have deceived me; but if my opinion was then correct, I think I

can point you to a sign not less remarkable." After some hesitation, Louise consented; and the cross was still visible in all its distinctness. "What is the design of this letter M ?" inquired Diganu. "I know not," she faintly replied with a blush, "no person has seen it before yourselves, since I first discovered it. The only woman, who I can think might have explained the mystery, either did not know, which I believe most probable, or else she considered me too young to be instructed with the secret."-Well! Diganu," said Chretien, "you are right."-" What do you mean?" asked the anxious Louise. Chretien then requested her to examine the shorn spot on Diganu's head: but she had no sooner seen the talismanic mark, than she sunk into her chair almost fainting.

When she was restored; "Diganu," said Louise, "you have already told me that, from a certain sympathy for which you cannot account, you feel peculiarly interested for my welfare. This remarkable cross stamped upon both of us justifies the confidence that I am about to place in you. You will permit me to maintain all the secrecy I please. I shall neither visit nor receive visiters, nor shall I be seen by any of your associates. Upon these conditions, I will consent to perform the menial duties of your house." This arrangement was objected to by Chretien. “You have not been used to kitchen business. Your refined manners," said he, your delicate frame, your soft and white hands, and your excellent understanding, with your other capacities, prove that you have not been and are not qualified to be a household drudge." Louise replied, "I have stated the only terms upon which I will consent to place myself under your protection."

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The next evening was designated for her removal. Diganu and Chretien both agreed, that no other mode was practicable to preserve Louise from misery. The gloom upon her mind was very oppressive. Her timidity of being noticed was unconquerable; at the same time her resolution was so undaunted, that every thing was to be dreaded, in case she should be exposed to the same trial which had already jeopardied her life. Yet she had never betrayed, by any intimation, that her near approach to death at Lorette was voluntary; and the only emotion that she exhibited was when any inquiry was made into her prior history. Her friends, therefore, resolved that they would accept of her services, retain her secret in all possible privacy, and permit her to live as secluded and unknown as she pleased.

Far other ideas occupied the mind of Louise, during the interval prior to her actual residence with her deliverers. Their knowledge of her awful situation at Lorette, their acquaintance with the mysterious cross on her forehead, the similar mark on Diganu's head, the risk of her being discovered, their doltish subservience to their priest, notwithstanding their better sense and principles, combined with their gay and frivolous tempers, and her own hatred and contempt of all the mummery of their superstitions, embarrassed her judgment; and had a certain escape been practicable, she would have attempted it. To live as she had done when sick was impossible. It appeared to her, therefore, preferable to rely upon the promises of two open-hearted young men; all whose actions, kindness, and intercourse had been so benevolent and fastidiously delicate, than to expose herself to the terrifying dangers from which she had so recently and marvellously escaped. Under the concealment of dark