encouraging omen!"




CHAPTER VI.

ST. JOHN'S EVE.


It was St. John's Eve; Government House was a scene of splendour; truly
every precinct was a blaze of dazzling light. Here was assembled the
distinguished, gay, beauty, and wit of the Province; the learned and
severe as well as the thoughtless. Hearts beat with throbbing and
exciting pulsation, fired by hope's fondest dreams. The spacious
drawing-room, already described in a preceding chapter, now assumed, if
possible, a more brilliant aspect--flooded with light, rendered more
effective by an additional chandelier, a gem of countless scintillations,
distracting in variety and prismatic design. The courtly reception,
high-born dignity and ease exhibited in every smile, gesture, word and
action of the distinguished occupants, might recall vivid conceptions of
the days when beauty and chivalry were conspicuous in homage to royalty
and grand pageantry.

Amidst the pressure and arrival of each guest no confusion was apparent.
Rank took precedence with studied regard. The many guests were attired
in a style and elegance becoming the occasion. Conspicuous was the
military rank of the large number of officers of His Majesty's
service--colonels, majors, captains, lieutenants, ensigns, and all those
insignias of like distinction. Among these might be found hidden,