5

this excursion. Exhilerated by the morning breeze, and charmed
by the freshened beauties of the varied landscape, she gave
free play to her gay spirits and lively fancy and appeared in
the eyes of Capt Mirvan more exquistitely lovely than ever.
As it would require a considerable
time to make the drawings she projected it would be late in
the day before they should return she consented to
ride with him in his curricle to avoid the heat of
noon. "Now," thought Capt Mirvan as they rode along "she is
completely in my power, she cannot as she has so often done
when riding with one on horse back , choose her own road,
or suddenly turn back from the places to which I would
have conducted her." Unconscious of design or danger, she inter-
preted the exultation which shone in his face, into feelings
of pleasure and gaiety such as she herself experienced.
He took her a mopurusest circuitous route over the hills
beyond George Town and instead of the high way , pursued every
by- road and shady lane he could discover. It was in
vain Julia expressed her fears that the mists and
clouds of morning would be dispersed before they
reached the river, the picturesque effect of which
is so favorable to the painter: "When the day is advanced,"
said she," there will be no { ?} of light and shade,
no veils of vapour to hang their fantastic drappery
over the rocks and hills, it will be one glance of
sun shine and impossible for me to sketch."
Her words were verified, and before they entered
on the river-road the sun was high in the heavens;
not a cloud threw its shadow
on the landscape, or intercepted the scorching rays
which became quite oppressive. Her project must
be relinquished and while she was regretting her disap-
pointment with the bitterness with which a spoiled
child would have done, they came with in sight
of the dwelling of his friend. It was most beautifully
situated on the high and over hanging banks of the
Potomack. "There," said Capt Mirvan is my friend's
house--we will stop there and from some of the
windows I know you will have even finer