"What a characteristic room!" exclaimed Helen, as she stood for a moment at the wide entrance, leaning on the arm of her husband. "I never saw so many flags and beautiful skins in one room in my life."
"Nor I either. Still the setting is appropriate--the flags a token of the present war, and the skins a trophy of the huntsmen's prowess. Furs are one of the main products of the country, you know."
"I wonder if it can produce as many women?" said Helen, glancing over the Hall. "There are few but men here yet."
"All the more triumph for the women who are," was his answer, as he looked down with love into her eyes.
The Governor and Lady Sherbrooke, with Mrs. and Colonel Mason and Sir George Head, were receiving when they entered. Officers of the garrison and several from the _North King_ were there, as well as civilians with their wives and daughters.
"May I have the honor of the opening quadrille with you?" said Colonel Mason to Helen after presenting her.
"I shall be only too happy," was her answer. But a faint flush rose to her cheek. She would prefer to have danced the opening one with her husband.
"The guests are still coming, and our dance will be soon; _au revoir_ until then."
Harold and she passed on. More than a dozen ladies had by this time arrived--most of them young and some very pretty, with white shoulders and graceful figures. Not a few had flashing diamonds, brought by their mothers from the old land over the sea, and they sparkled like the eyes of their winsome wearers as they mingled with the men.
"How pretty they are!" said Harold, _sotto voce_. "As fresh as if new from England."
"I don't see any of the blue noses they talk about," Helen returned. "It must be a healthy climate, Harold, if it is cold."
At this moment Judge and the Misses Maxwell were announced. The Judge, a large and portly man, crowned with periwig, had a keen, intelligent face. He was accompanied by his two daughters. One was of the large blonde type with blue eyes and flaxen hair, always smiling in a decided way of her own. The other, Miss Maud, was of a different type. No one would have taken them for sisters. Slight in build and quick in movement, there was a winsome charm about her that was very engaging. Perhaps the most distinguishing feature in her manner was her strong, unconscious frankness. Her features were regular and her eyes black, while her wealth of dark hair and sweet countenance combined to make her irresistibly charming. One would think from the color of her hair and eyes that she should have been a brunette; but her skin was exquisitely white and the petal of a delicate rose seemed to have planted its hue upon her cheek.