When Harkness found that he was always defied by Eliza he grew gloomy, and was quiet for a time.

One day, however, he recovered his former cheerfulness.

He seemed, indeed, to be in high spirits.

When he saw his time, he sought talk with Eliza.

He did not now affect to be lively, but rather wore a manner of marked solemnity.
"Can you read the French language ?" he asked.
"No," she answered.
"That's unfortunate, for I'm not a good hand at it myself; but I've found a bit of news in a French paper here that is real interesting and important." He unfurled a crushed copy of a Quebec journal a few days old.