IN THE WILDERNESS Stuart's brilliant figure was seen no more in the ballroom that night, but he disappeared so quietly that his absence created no alarm at first.

There was a low call for Sherburne, and the great cavalry leader and his most daring horsemen were soon up and away.

Harry and Dalton, standing under the boughs of an oak, near the edge of the grounds, saw them depart, but the dancers, at least the women and girls, knew nothing.
Another cannon shot came from some distant point along the stream, and its somber echoes rolled and died away among the hills, but the music of the band in the ballroom did not cease.

It was the Acadians who were playing now, some strange old dance tune that they had brought from far Louisiana, taken thence by the way of Nova Scotia from its origin in old France.
"They don't know yet," said Harry, "but I'm thinking it will be the last dance for many a day." "Looks like it," said Dalton.

"What time is it, Harry ?" "Past two in the morning, and here comes Colonel Talbot and Lieutenant-Colonel St.Hilaire." The two colonels walked out on the lawn.