why, and she took the bow that was offered her, and stepped forward to
her place in the laziest way imaginable. A considerable number of
lookers-on had by this time gathered round the clear space, and just as
she was carelessly raising her bow she caught sight of Mrs. Bellairs'
grey cloak, and Mr. Percy's tall figure beside it.

"The fop!" she said to herself. "He thinks we are all half savages," and
with the energy of her ill-humour she suddenly changed her attitude,
drew her bow, and sent her arrow straight to the centre.

Of course it was all chance. Nobody was more astonished than herself,
but at any rate it was a success, and success is always agreeable.
Before she had time to peril her new reputation by a second trial, the
boat-bell rung to announce dinner, and everybody returned to the place
which had been chosen for the meal.

All picnics have a strong family likeness: even in Canada there is
nothing new in them. Mr. Percy hated picnics, and found this one neither
more nor less stupid than usual. The slight fillip which Lucia had
innocently given to his bored faculties, soon subsided. He sat near her
at dinner, and thought her stupid; he noticed too that she wore her hat
badly, and had a very countrified air, "of course."

The boat returned up the river much more slowly than it had gone down.
The elder people were tired, and the younger ones began to think of the
evening, and to reserve themselves for it. The band played at intervals,
with long pauses, as if the musicians were tired too. Mrs. Bellairs had
resumed her chair on deck, but some of the elder ladies were gathered
round her; Bella and Lucia sat together in one corner. Dr. Morton, the
most desirable _parti_ in Cacouna, was literally, as well as