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She； after form of trial condemned to die on the scaffold；
Patiently met her doom at the foot of the statue of Justice。
As to her Father in heaven her innocent spirit ascended；
Lo！ o'er the city a tempest rose； and the bolts of the thunder
Smote the statue of bronze； and hurled in wrath from its left
hand
Down on the pavement below the clattering scales of the balance；
And in the hollow thereof was found the nest of a magpie；
Into whose clay…built walls the necklace of pearls was inwoven。〃
Silenced； but not convinced； when the story was ended； the
blacksmith
Stood like a man who fain would speak； but findeth no language；
All his thoughts were congealed into lines on his face； as the
vapors
Freeze in fantastic shapes on the window…panes in the winter。
Then Evangeline lighted the brazen lamp on the table；
Filled； till it overflowed； the pewter tankard with home…brewed
Nut…brown ale； that was famed for its strength in the village of
Grand…Pre；
While from his pocket the notary drew his papers and inkhorn；
Wrote with a steady hand the date and the age of the parties；
Naming the dower of the bride in flocks of sheep and in cattle。
Orderly all things proceeded； and duly and well were completed；
And the great seal of the law was set like a sun on the margin。
Then from his leathern pouch the farmer threw on the table
Three times the old man's fee in solid pieces of silver；
And the notary rising； and blessing the bride and the bridegroom；
Lifted aloft the tankard of ale and drank to their welfare。
Wiping the foam from his lip； he solemnly bowed and departed；
While in silence the others sat and mused by the fireside；
Till Evangeline brought the draught…board out of its corner。
Soon was the game begun。 In friendly contention the old men
Laughed at each lucky hit； or unsuccessful manoeuver；
Laughed when a man was crowned； or a breach was made in the
king…row
Meanwhile apart； in the twilight gloom of a window's embrasure；
Sat the lovers； and whispered together； beholding the moon rise
Over the pallid sea and the silvery mist of the meadows。
Silently one by one； in the infinite meadows of heaven；
Blossomed the lovely stars； the forget…me…nots of the angels。
Thus was the evening passed。 Anon the bell from the belfry
Rang out the hour of nine； the village curfew； and straightway
Rose the guests and departed； and silence reigned in the
household。
Many a farewell word and sweet good…night on the door…step
Lingered long in Evangeline's heart； and filled it with gladness。
Carefully then were covered the embers that glowed on the
hearth…stone；
And on the oaken stairs resounded the tread of the farmer。
Soon with a soundless step the foot of Evangeline followed。
Up the staircase moved a luminous space in the darkness；
Lighted less by the lamp than the shining face of the maiden。
Silent she passed the hall； and entered the door of her chamber。
Simple that chamber was； with its curtains of white； and its
clothes…press
Ample and high； on whose spacious shelves were carefully folded
Linen and woollen stuffs； by the hand of Evangeline woven。
This was the precious dower she would bring to her husband in
marriage；
Better than flocks and herds； being proofs of her skill as a
housewife。
Soon she extinguished her lamp； for the mellow and radiant
moonlight
Streamed through the windows； and lighted the room； till the
heart of the maiden
Swelled and obeyed its power； like the tremulous tides of the
ocean。
Ah！ she was fair； exceeding fair to behold； as she stood with
Naked snow…white feet on the gleaming floor of her chamber！
Little she dreamed that below； among the trees of the orchard；
Waited her lover and watched for the gleam of her lamp and her
shadow。
Yet were her thoughts of him； and at times a feeling of sadness
Passed o'er her soul； as the sailing shade of clouds in the
moonlight
Flitted across the floor and darkened the room for a moment。
And； as she gazed from the window； she saw serenely the moon pass
Forth from the folds of a cloud； and one star follow her
footsteps；
As out of Abraham's tent young Ishmael wandered with Hagar！
IV
Pleasantly rose next morn the sun on the village of Grand…Pre。
Pleasantly gleamed in the soft； sweet air the Basin of Minas；
Where the ships； with their wavering shadows； were riding at
anchor。
Life had long been astir in the village； and clamorous labor
Knocked with its hundred hands at the golden gates of the
morning。
Now from the country around； from the farms and neighboring
hamlets；
Came in their holiday dresses the blithe Acadian peasants。
Many a glad good…morrow and jocund laugh from the young folk
Made the bright air brighter； as up from the numerous meadows；
Where no path could be seen but the track of wheels in the
greensward；
Group after group appeared； and joined； or passed on the highway。
Long ere noon； in the village all sounds of labor were silenced。
Thronged were the streets with people； and noisy groups at the
house…doors
Sat in the cheerful sun； and rejoiced and gossiped together。
Every house was an inn； where all were welcomed and feasted；
For with this simple people； who lived like brothers together；
All things were held in common； and what one had was another's。
Yet under Benedict's roof hospitality seemed more abundant：
For Evangeline stood among the guests of her father；
Bright was her face with smiles； and words of welcome and
gladness
Fell from her beautiful lips； and blessed the cup as she gave it。
Under the open sky； in the odorous air of the orchard；
Stript of its golden fruit； was spread the feast of betrothal。
There in the shade of the porch were the priest and the notary
seated；
There good Benedict sat； and sturdy Basil the blacksmith。
Not far withdrawn from these； by the cider…press and the
beehives；
Michael the fiddler was placed； with the gayest of hearts and of
waistcoats。
Shadow and light from the leaves alternately played on his
snow…white
Hair； as it waved in the wind； and the jolly face of the fiddler
Glowed like a living coal when the ashes are blown from the
embers。
Gayly the old man sang to the vibrant sound of his fiddle；
Tous les Bourgeois de Chartres； and Le Carillon de Dunkerque；
And anon with his wooden shoes beat time to the music。
Merrily； merrily whirled the wheels of the dizzying dances
Under the orchard…trees and down the path to the meadows；
Old folk and young together； and children mingled among them。
Fairest of all the maids was Evangeline； Benedict's daughter！
Noblest of all the youths was Gabriel； son of the blacksmith！
So passed the morning away。 And lo！ with a summons sonorous
Sounded the bell from its tower； and over the meadows a drum
beat。
Thronged erelong was the church with men。 Without； in the
churchyard；
Waited the women。 They stood by the graves； and hung on the
headstones
Garlands of autumn…leaves and evergreens fresh