happiness from its bosom.
    The younger members of the family in the Mansion-house, of which Louisa
Grant was now habitually one, were by no means indifferent observers of these
fluctuating and tardy changes. While the snow rendered the roads passable, they
had partaken largely in the amusements of the winter, which included not only
daily rides over the mountains, and through every valley within twenty miles of
them, but divers ingenious and varied sources of pleasure, on the bosom of their
frozen lake. There had been excursions in the equipage of Richard, when, with
his four horses, he had outstripped the winds, as it flew over the glassy ice
which invariably succeeded a thaw. Then the exciting and dangerous whirligig
would be suffered to possess its moment of notice. Cutters, drawn by a single
horse, and hand-sleds, impelled by the gentlemen, on skates, would each in turn
be used; and, in short, every source of relief against the tediousness of a
winter in the mountains, was resorted to by the family. Elizabeth was willing to
acknowledge to her father, that the season, with the aid of his library, was
much less irksome than she had anticipated.
    As exercise in the open air was, in some degree necessary to the habits of
the family, when the constant recurrence of frosts and thaws rendered the roads,
which were dangerous, at the most favourable times, utterly impassable for
wheels, saddle-horses were used as substitutes for other conveyances. Mounted on
small and sure-footed beasts, the ladies would again attempt the passages of the
mountains, and penetrate into every retired glen, where the enterprise of a
settler had induced him to establish himself. In these excursions they were
attended by some one or all of the gentlemen of the family, as their different
pursuits admitted. Young Edwards was hourly becoming more familiarized to his
situation, and not unfrequently mingled in the parties, with an unconcern and
gayety, that, for a short time, would expel all unpleasant recollections from
his mind. Habit, and the buoyancy of youth, seemed to be getting the ascendency
over the secret causes of his uneasiness; though there were moments, when the
same remarkable expression of disgust, would cross his intercourse with
Marmaduke, that had distinguished their conversations in the first days of their
acquaintance.
    It was at the close of the month of March, that the Sheriff succeeded in
persuading his cousin and her young friend to accompany him in a ride to a hill,
that was said to overhang the lake, in a manner peculiar to itself.
    »Besides, cousin Bess