These three groups sat round the fire eyeing each other drily, and

waiting for supper. Only one among them, one of the gentlemen belonging

to the party of three, made advances towards conversation. Throwing out

his lines for the Chief of the important tribe, while addressing himself

to his own companions, he remarked, in a tone of voice which included

all the company if they chose to be included, that it had been a long

day, and that he felt for the ladies. That he feared one of the

young ladies was not a strong or accustomed traveller, and had been

over-fatigued two or three hours ago. That he had observed, from his

station in the rear, that she sat her mule as if she were exhausted.

That he had, twice or thrice afterwards, done himself the honour of

inquiring of one of the guides, when he fell behind, how the lady did.

That he had been enchanted to learn that she had recovered her spirits,

and that it had been but a passing discomfort. That he trusted (by this

time he had secured the eyes of the Chief, and addressed him) he might

be permitted to express his hope that she was now none the worse, and

that she would not regret having made the journey.

'My daughter, I am obliged to you, sir,' returned the Chief, 'is quite

restored, and has been greatly interested.' 'New to mountains, perhaps?' said the insinuating traveller. 'New to--ha--to mountains,' said the Chief.

'But you are familiar with them, sir?' the insinuating traveller

assumed. 'I am--hum--tolerably familiar. Not of late years. Not of late years,'

replied the Chief, with a flourish of his hand.

The insinuating traveller, acknowledging the flourish with an

inclination of his head, passed from the Chief to the second young lady,

who had not yet been referred to otherwise than as one of the ladies in

whose behalf he felt so sensitive an interest. He hoped she was not incommoded by the fatigues of the day.

'Incommoded, certainly,' returned the young lady, 'but not tired.' The insinuating traveller complimented her on the justice of the

distinction. It was what he had meant to say. Every lady must doubtless

be incommoded by having to do with that proverbially unaccommodating

animal, the mule. 'We have had, of course,' said the young lady, who was rather reserved

and haughty, 'to leave the carriages and fourgon at Martigny. And the

impossibility of bringing anything that one wants to this inaccessible

place, and the necessity of leaving every comfort behind, is not

convenient.'




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