RICHARD CARVEL

By Winston Churchill

Volume 7. 

XLII. My Friends are provenXLIII. Annapolis once moreXLIV. Noblesse ObligeXLV. The House of MemoriesXLVI. Gordon's PrideXLVII. VisitorsXLVIII. Multum in ParvoXLIX. Liberty loses a Friend

CHAPTER XLII

MY FRIENDS ARE PROVEN

At the door of my lodgings I was confronted by Banks, red withindignation and fidgety from uneasiness. 

"O Lord, Mr. Carvel, what has happened, sir?" he cried. "Your honour'sagent 'as been here since noon. Must I take orders from the likes o'him, sir?"

Mr. Dix was indeed in possession of my rooms, lounging in the chair Dollyhad chosen, smoking my tobacco. I stared at him from the threshold. Something in my appearance, or force of habit, or both brought him to hisfeet, and wiped away the smirk from his face. He put down the pipeguiltily. I told him shortly that I had heard the news which he musthave got by the packet: and that he should have his money, tho' it tookthe rest of my life: and the ten per cent I had promised him provided hewould not press my Lord Comyn. He hesitated, and drummed on the table. He was the man of business again. 

"What security am I to have, Mr. Carvel?" he asked. 

"My word, " I said. "It has never yet been broken, I thank God, nor myfather's before me. And hark ye, Mr. Dix, you shall not be able to saythat of Grafton. " Truly I thought the principal and agent were now wellmatched. 

"Very good, Mr. Carvel, " he said; "ten per cent. I shall call with thepapers on Monday morning. "

"I shall not run away before that, " I replied. 

He got out, with a poor attempt at a swagger, without his customaryprotestations of duty and humble offers of service. And I thanked Heavenhe had not made a scene, which in my state of mind I could not haveborne, but must have laid hands upon him. Perhaps he believed Graftonnot yet secure in his title. I did not wonder then, in the heat of myyouth, that he should have accepted my honour as security. But since Ihave marvelled not a little at this. The fine gentlemen at Brooks's withwhom I had been associating were none too scrupulous, and regardedmoney-lenders as legitimate prey. Debts of honour they paid but tardily, if at all. A certain nobleman had been owing my Lord Carlisle thirteenthousand pounds for a couple of years, that his Lordship had won athazard. And tho' I blush to write it, Mr. Fox himself was notorious insuch matters, and was in debt to each of the coterie of fashionables ofwhich he was the devoted chief. 

The faithful Banks vowed, with tears in his eyes, that he would neverdesert me. And in that moment of dejection the poor fellow's devotionbrought me no little comfort. At such times the heart is bitter. Welook askance at our friends, and make the task of comfort doubly hard forthose that remain true. I had a great affection for the man, and hadbecome so used to his ways and unwearying service that I had not thecourage to refuse his prayers to go with me to America. I had not afarthing of my own--he would serve me for nothing--nay, work for me. "Sure, " he said, taking off my coat and bringing me my gown, --"Sure, yourhonour was not made to work. " To cheer me he went on with some foolishfootman's gossip that there lacked not ladies with jointures who wouldmarry me, and be thankful. I smiled sadly. 

"That was when I was Mr. Carvel's heir, Banks. "

"And your face and figure, sir, and masterful ways! Faith, and what morewould a lady want!" Banks's notions of morality were vague enough, and hewould have had me sink what I had left at hazard at Almack's. He hadlived in this atmosphere. Alas! there was little chance of my everregaining the position I had held but yesterday. I thought of thesponging-house, and my brow was moist. England was no place, in thosedays, for fallen gentlemen. With us in the Colonies the law offereditself. Mr. Swain, and other barristers of Annapolis, came to my mind, for God had given me courage. I would try the law. For I had smallhopes of defeating my Uncle Grafton. 

The Sunday morning dawned brightly, and the church bells ringing broughtme to my feet, and out into Piccadilly, in the forlorn hope that I mightsee my lady on her way to morning service, --see her for the last time inlife, perhaps. Her locket I wore over my heart. It had lain upon hers. To see her was the most exquisite agony in the world. But not to seeher, and to feel that she was scarce quarter of a mile away, was beyondendurance. I stood beside an area at the entrance to Arlington Street, and waited for an hour, quite in vain; watching every face that passed, townsmen in their ill-fitting Sunday clothes, and fine ladies with thefootmen carrying velvet prayerbooks. And some that I knew only stared, and others gave me distant bows from their coach windows. For those thatfall from fashion are dead to fashion. 

Dorothy did not go to church that day. 

It is a pleasure, my dears, when writing of that hour of bitterness, torecord the moments of sweetness which lightened it. As I climbed up tomy rooms in Dover Street, I heard merry sounds above, and a cloud ofsmoke blew out of the door when I opened it. 

"Here he is, " cried Mr. Fox. "You see, Richard, we have not deserted youwhen we can win no more of your money. "

"Why, egad! the man looks as if he had had a calamity, " said Mr. Fitzpatrick. 

"And there is not a Jew here, " Fox continued. "Tho' it is Sunday, the air in my Jerusalem chamber is as bad as in any crimps den in St. Giles's. 'Slife, and I live to be forty, I shall have as manyunderground avenues as his Majesty Louis the Eleventh. "

"He must have a place, " put in my Lord Carlisle. 

"We must do something for him, " said Fox, "albeit he is an American and aWhig, and all the rest of the execrations. Thou wilt have to swallow thygolden opinions, my buckskin, when we put thee in office. "

I was too overwhelmed even to protest. 

"You are not in such a cursed bad way, when all is said, Richard, " saidFitzpatrick. "Charles, when he loses a fortune, immediately borrowsanother. "

"If you stick to whist and quinze, " said Charles, solemnly, giving me theadvice they were forever thrusting upon him, "and play with system, youmay make as much as four thousand a year, sir. "

And this was how I was treated by those heathen and cynical macaronies, Mr. Fox's friends. I may not say the same for the whole of Brooks'sClub, tho' I never darkened its doors afterwards. But I encountered myLord March that afternoon, and got only a blank stare in place of a bow. 

Charles had collected (Heaven knows how!) the thousand pounds which hestood in my debt, and Mr. Storer and Lord Carlisle offered to lend me asmuch as I chose. I had some difficulty in refusing, and more still indenying Charles when he pressed me to go with them to Richmond, where hehad rooms for play over Sunday. 

Banks brought me the news that Lord Comyn was sitting up, and had beenasking for me that day; that he was recovering beyond belief. But I wasresolved not to go to Brook Street until the money affairs were settledon Monday with Mr. Dix, for I knew well that his Lordship would insistupon carrying out with the agent the contract he had so generously andhastily made, rather than let me pay an abnormal interest. 

On Monday I rose early, and went out for a bit of air before the scenewith Mr. Dix. Returning, I saw a coach with his Lordship's arms on thepanels, and there was Comyn himself in my great chair at the window, where he had been deposited by Banks and his footman. I stared as on onerisen from the dead. 

"Why, Jack, what are you doing here?" I cried. 

He replied very offhand, as was his manner at such times:

"Blicke vows that Chartersea and Lewis have qualified for the College ofSurgeons, " says he. "They are both born anatomists. Your job under thearm was the worst bungle of the two, egad, for Lewis put his sword, patas you please, between two of my organs (cursed if I know their names), and not so much as scratched one. "

"Look you, Jack, " said I, "I am not deceived. You have no right to behere, and you know it. "

"Tush!" answered his Lordship; "I am as well as you. " And he took snuffto prove the assertion. "Why the devil was you not in Brook Streetyesterday to tell me that your uncle had swindled you? I thought I wasyour friend, " says he, "and I learn of your misfortune through others. "

"It is because you are my friend, and my best friend, that I would notworry you when you lay next door to death on my account, " I said, withemotion. 

And just then Banks announced Mr. Dix. 

"Let him wait, " said I, greatly disturbed. 

"Show him up!" said my Lord, peremptorily. 

"No, no!" I protested; "he can wait. We shall have no business now. "

But Banks was gone. And I found out, long afterward, that it was put upbetween them. 

The agent swaggered in with that easy assurance he assumed whenever hegot the upper hand. He was the would-be squire once again, in top-bootsand a frock. I have rarely seen a man put out of countenance so easilyas was Mr. Dix that morning when he met his Lordship's fixed gaze fromthe arm-chair. 

"And so you are turned Jew?" says he, tapping his snuffbox. "Beforeyou go ahead so fast again, you will please to remember, d--n you, thatMr. Carvel is the kind that does not lose his friends with his fortune. "

Mr. Dix made a salaam, which was so ludicrous in a squire that my Lordroared with laughter, and I feared for his wound. 

"A man must live, my Lord, " sputtered the agent. His discomfiture waspainful. 

"At the expense of another, " says Comyn, dryly. "That is your motto inChange Alley. "

"If you will permit, Jack, I must have a few words in private with Mr. Dix, " I cut in uneasily. 

His Lordship would be damned first. "I am not accustomed to be thwarted, Richard, I tell you. Ask the dowager if I have not always had my way. I am not going to stand by and see a man who saved my life fall into theclutches of an usurer. Yes, I said usurer, Mr. Dix. My attorney, Mr. Kennett, of Lincoln's Inn, has instructions to settle with you. "

And, despite all I could say, he would not budge an inch. At last Isubmitted under the threat that he would never after have a word to sayto me. By good luck, when I had paid into Mr. Dix's hand the thousandpounds I had received from Charles Fox, and cleared my outstanding bills, the sum I remained in Comyn's debt was not greatly above seven hundredpounds. And that was the end of Mr. Dix for me; when he had backedhimself out in chagrin at having lost his ten per centum, my feelings gotthe better of me. The water rushed to my eyes, and I turned my back uponhis Lordship. To conceal his own emotions he fell to swearing like mad. 

"Fox will get you something, " he said at length, when he was a littlecalmed. 

I told him, sadly, that my duty took me to America. 

"And Dorothy?" he said; "you will leave her?"

I related the whole miserable story (all save the part of the locket), for I felt that I owed it him. His excitement grew as he listened, untilI had to threaten to stop to keep him quiet. But when I had done, he sawnothing but good to come of it. 

"'Od's life! Richard, lad, come here!" he cried. "Give me your hand. Why, you ass, you have won a thousand times over what you lost. Sheloves you! Did I not say so? And as for that intriguing little puppy, her father, you have pulled his teeth, egad. She heard what you said tohim, you tell me. Then he will never deceive her again, my word on't. And Chartersea may come back to London, and be damned. "

CHAPTER XLIII

ANNAPOLIS ONCE MORE

Three days after that I was at sea, in the Norfolk packet, with thefarewells of my loyal English friends ringing in my ears. CaptainGraham, the master of the packet, and his passengers found me but a poorcompanion. But they had heard of my misfortune, and vied with each otherin heaping kindnesses upon me. Nor did they intrude on my walks in thenight watches, to see me slipping a locket from under my waistcoat--ay, and raising it to my lips. 'Twas no doubt a blessing that I had lessermisfortunes to share my attention. God had put me in the way of lookingforward rather than behind, and I was sure that my friends in Annapoliswould help me to an honest living, and fight my cause against Grafton. 

Banks was with me. The devoted soul did his best to cheer me, tho'downcast himself at leaving England. To know what to do with him gaveme many an anxious moment. I doubted not that I could get him into aservice, but when I spoke of such a thing he burst into tears, anddemanded whether I meant to throw him off. Nor was any argument of mineof use. 

After a fair and uneventful voyage of six weeks, I beheld again my nativeshores in the low spits of the Virginia capes. The sand was very hot andwhite, and the waters of the Chesapeake rolled like oil under the Julysun. We were all day getting over to Yorktown, the ship's destination. A schooner was sailing for Annapolis early the next morning, and I barelyhad time to get off my baggage and catch her. We went up the bay with afresh wind astern, which died down at night. 

The heat was terrific after England and the sea-voyage, and we slept onthe deck. And Banks sat, most of the day, exclaiming at the vast scaleon which this new country was laid out, and wondering at the myriadislands we passed, some of them fair with grain and tobacco; and at thelow-lying shores clothed with forests, and broken by the salt marshes, with now and then the manor-house of some gentleman-planter visible oneither side. Late on the second day I beheld again the cliffs that markthe mouth of the Severn, then the sail-dotted roads and the roofs ofAnnapolis. 

We landed, Banks and I, in a pinnace from the schooner, and so full wasmy heart at the sight of the old objects that I could only gulp now andthen, and utter never a word. There was the dock where I had paced upand down near the whole night, when Dolly had sailed away; and Pryse thecoachmaker's shop, and the little balcony upon which I had stood with mygrandfather, and railed in a boyish tenor at Mr. Hood. The sun castsharp, black shadows. And it being the middle of the dull season, whenthe quality were at their seats, and the dinner-hour besides, the townmight have been a deserted one for its stillness, as tho' the inhabitantshad walked out of it, and left it so. I made my way, Banks behind me, into Church Street, past the "Ship" tavern, which brought memories ofthe brawl there, and of Captain Clapsaddle forcing the mob, like chaff, before his sword. The bees were humming idly over the sweet-scentedgardens, and Farris, the clock-maker, sat at his door, and nodded. Hejerked his head as I went by with a cry of "Lord, it is Mr. Richardback!" and I must needs pause, to let him bow over my hand. Farther upthe street I came to mine host of the Coffee House standing on his steps, with his hands behind his back. 

"Mr. Claude, " I said. 

He looked at me as tho' I had risen from the dead. 

"God save us!" he shouted, in a voice that echoed through the narrowstreet. "God save us!"

He seemed to go all to pieces. To my bated questions he replied atlength, when he had got his breath, that Captain Clapsaddle had come totown but the day before, and was even then in the coffee-room at hisdinner. Alone? Yes, alone. Almost tottering, I mounted the steps, andturned in at the coffee-room door, and stopped. There sat the captain ata table, the roast and wine untouched before him, his waistcoat thrownopen. He was staring out of the open window into the inn garden beyond, with its shade of cherry trees. Mr. Claude's cry had not disturbed hisreveries, nor our talk after it. I went forward. I touched him on theshoulder, and he sprang up, and looked once into my face, and by sometrick of the mind uttered the very words Mr. Claude had used. 

"God save us! Richard!" And he opened his arms and strained me to hisgreat chest, calling my name again and again, while the tears courseddown the furrows of his cheeks. For I marked the furrows for the firsttime, and the wrinkles settling in his forehead and around his eyes. What he said when he released me, nor my replies, can I remember now, but at last he called, in his ringing voice, to mine host:

"A bottle from your choicest bin, Claude! Some of Mr. Bordley's. For he that was lost is found. "

The hundred questions I had longed to ask were forgotten. A peace stoleupon me that I had not felt since I had looked upon his face before. Thewine was brought by Mr. Claude, and opened, and it was mine host whobroke the silence, and the spell. 

"Your very good health, Mr. Richard, " he said; "and may you come to yourown again!"

"I drink it with all my heart, Richard, " replied Captain Daniel. But heglanced at me sadly, and his honest nature could put no hope into histone. "We have got him back again, Mr. Claude. And God has answered ourprayers. So let us be thankful. " And he sat down in silence, gazing atme in pity and tenderness, while Mr. Claude withdrew. "I can give youbut a sad welcome home, my lad, " he said presently, with a hesitationstrange to him. "'Tis not the first bad news I have had to break in mylife to your family, but I pray it may be the last. " He paused. I knewhe was thinking of the black tidings he had once brought my mother. "Richard, your grandfather is dead, " he ended abruptly. 

I nodded wonderingly. 

"What!" he exclaimed; "you have heard already?"

"Mr. Manners told me, in London, " I said, completely mystified. 

"London!" he cried, starting forward. "London and Mr. Manners! Have youbeen to London?"

"You had my letters to Mr. Carvel?" I demanded, turning suddenly sick. 

His eye flashed. 

"Never a letter. We mourned you for dead, Richard. This is Grafton'swork!" he cried, springing to his feet and striking the table with hisgreat fist, so that the dishes jumped. "Grafton Carvel, the prettiestvillain in these thirteen colonies! Oh, we shall hang him some day. "

"Then Mr. Carvel died without knowing that I was safe?" I interrupted. 

"On that I'll lay all my worldly goods, " replied Captain Daniel, emphatically. "If any letters came to Marlboro' Street from you, Mr. Carvel never dropped eyes on 'em. "

"What a fool was I not to have written you!" I groaned. 

He drew his chair around the table, and close to mine. 

"Had the news that you escaped death been cried aloud in the streets, mylad, 'twould never have got to your grandfather's ear, " he said, in lowertones. "I will tell you what happened, tho' I have it at second hand, being in the North, as you may remember. Grafton came in from Kent andinvested Marlboro' Street. He himself broke the news to Mr. Carvel, whotook to his bed. Leiden was not in attendance, you may be sure, but thatquack-doctor Drake. Swain sent me a message, and I killed a horsegetting here from New York. But I could no more gain admittance to yourgrandfather, Richard, than to King George the Third. I was met in thehall by that crocodile, who told me with too many fair words that Icould not see my old friend; that for the present Dr. Drake denied himeverybody. Then I damned Dr. Drake, and Grafton too. And I let him knowmy suspicions. He ordered me off, Richard--from that house which hasbeen my only home for these twenty years. " His voice broke. 

"Mr. Carvel thought me dead, then. "

"And most mercifully. Your black Hugo, when he was somewhat recovered, swore he had seen you killed and carried off. Sooth, they say there wasblood enough on the place. But we spared no pains to obtain a clew ofyou. I went north to Boston, and Lloyd's factor south to Charleston. But no trace of the messenger who came to the Coffee House after youcould we find. Hell had opened and swallowed him. And mark this forconsummate villany: Grafton himself spent no less than five hundredpounds in advertising and the like. "

"And he is not suspected?" I asked. This was the same question I had putto Mrs. Manners. It caused the captain to flare up again. 

"'Tis incredible how a rogue may impose upon men of worth and integrityif he but know how to smirk piously, and never miss a service. And thenhe is an exceeding rich man. Riches cover a multitude of sins in themost virtuous community in the world. Your Aunt Caroline brought him apretty fortune, you know. We had ominous times this spring, with theassociations forming, and the 'Good Intent' and the rest being sent backto England. His Excellency was at his wits' end for support. It wasGrafton Carvel who helped him most, and spent money like tobacco for theKing's cause, which, being interpreted, was for his own advancement. ButI believe Colonel Lloyd suspects him, tho' he has never said as much tome. I have told Mr. Swain, under secrecy, what I think. He is one ofthe ablest lawyers that the colony owns, Richard, and a stanch friend ofyours. He took your case of his own accord. But he says we have nofoothold as yet. "

When I asked if there was a will the captain rapped out an oath. 

"'Sdeath! yes, " he cried, "a will in favour of Grafton and his heirs, witnessed by Dr. Drake, they say, and another scoundrel. Your name doesnot occur throughout the length and breadth of it. You were dead. Butyou will have to ask Mr. Swain for those particulars. My dear old friendwas sadly gone when he wrote it, I fear. For he never lacked shrewdnessin his best days. Nor, " added Captain Daniel, with force, "nor did hewant for a proper estimation of Grafton. "

"He has never been the same since that first sickness, " I answered sadly. 

When the captain came to speak of Mr. Carvel's death, the son anddaughter he loved, and the child of his old age in the grave before him, he proceeded brokenly, and the tears blinded him. Mr. Carvel's lastwords will never be known, my dears. They sounded in the unfeeling earsof the serpent Grafton. 'Twas said that he was seen coming out of hisfather's house an hour after the demise, a smile on his face which hestrove to hide with a pucker of sorrow. But by God's grace Mr. Allen hadnot read the prayers. The rector was at last removed from Annapolis, andhad obtained the fat living of Frederick which he coveted. 

"As I hope for salvation, " the captain concluded, "I will swear there isnot such another villain in the world as Grafton. The imagination of afiend alone could have conceived and brought to execution the crime hehas committed. And the Borgias were children to him. 'Twas not only thelove of money that urged him, but hatred of you and of your father. Thatwas his strongest motive, I believe. However, the days are coming, lad, when he shall have his reward, unless all signs fail. And we have hadenough of sober talk, " said he, pressing me to eat. "Faith, but justnow, when you came in, I was thinking of you, Richard. And--God forgiveme! complaining against the lot of my life. And thinking, now that youwere taken out of it, and your father and mother and grandfather gone, how little I had to live for. Now you are home again, " says he, his eyeslighting on me with affection, "I count the gray hairs as nothing. Letus have your story, and be merry. Nay, I might have guessed you had beenin London, with your fine clothes and your English servant. "

'Twas a long story, as you know, my dears. He lighted his pipe and laidhis big hand over mine, and filled my glass, and I told him most of thatwhich had happened to me. But I left out the whole of that concerningMr. Manners and the Duke of Chartersea, nor did I speak of thesponging-house. I believe my only motive for this omittance was areluctance to dwell upon Dorothy, and a desire to shield her father forher sake. He dropped many a vigorous exclamation into my pauses, butwhen I came to speak of my friendship with Mr. Fox, his brow cloudedover. 

"'Ad's heart!" he cried, "'Ad's heart! And so you are turned Tory, andhave at last been perverted from those principles for which I loved youmost. In the old days my conscience would not allow me to advise you, Richard, and now that I am free to speak, you are past advice. "

I laughed aloud. 

"And what if I tell you that I made friends with his Grace of Grafton, and Lord Sandwich, and was invited to Hichinbroke, his Lordship's seat?"said I. 

His honest face was a picture of consternation. 

"Now the good Lord deliver us!" he exclaimed fervently. "Sandwich!Grafton! The devil!"

I gave myself over to the first real merriment I had had since I hadheard of Mr. Carvel's death. 

"And when Mr. Fox learned that I had lost my fortune, " I went on, "heoffered me a position under Government. "

"Have you not friends enough at home to care for you, sir?" he said, his face getting purple. "Are you Jack Carvel's son, or are you animpostor?"

"I am Jack Carvel's son, dear Captain Daniel, and that is why I am here, "I replied. "I am a stouter Whig than ever, and I believe I might haveconverted Mr. Fox himself had I remained at home sufficiently long, "I added, with a solemn face. And, for my own edification, I related howI had bearded his Majesty's friends at Brooks's, whereat he gave a great, joyful laugh, and thumped me on the back. 

"You dog, Richard! You sly rogue!" And he called to Mr. Claude foranother bottle on the strength of that, and we pledged the Association. He peppered me with questions concerning Junius, and Mr. Wilkes, and Mr. Franklin of Philadelphia. Had I seen him in London? "I would not doubta Carvel's word, " says the captain, "(always excepting Grafton and hisline, as usual), but you may duck me on the stool and I comprehend whyMr. Fox and his friends took up with such a young rebel rapscallion asyou--and after the speech you made 'em. "

I astonished him vastly by pointing out that Mr. Fox and his friendscared a deal for place, and not a fig for principle; that my franknesshad entertained rather than offended them; and that, having a taste fora bit of wild life and the money to gratify it, and being of a tolerant, easy nature withal, I had contrived to make many friends in that set, without aiming at influence. Whereat he gave me another lick between theshoulders. 

"It was so with Jack, " he cried; "thou art a replica. He would have madefriends with the devil himself. In the French war, when all the rest ofus Royal Americans were squabbling with his Majesty's officers out ofEngland, and cursing them at mess, they could never be got to fight withJack, tho' he gave them ample provocation. There was Tetherington, ofthe 22d foot, --who jeered us for damned provincials, and swaggeredthrough three duels in a week, --would enter no quarrel with him. I canhear him say: 'Damn you, Carvel, you may slap my face and you will, orwalk in ahead of me at the general's dinner and you will, but I like youtoo well to draw at you. I would not miss your company at table for allthe world. ' And when he was killed, " Captain Daniel continued, loweringhis voice, "some of them cried like women, Tetherington among 'em, --andswore they would rather have lost their commissions at high play. "

We sat talking until the summer's dusk grew on apace, and one thing thisdevoted lover of my family told me, which lightened my spirits of thegreatest burden that had rested upon them since my calamity befell me. I had dwelt at length upon my Lord Comyn, and upon the weight of hisservices to me, and touched upon the sum which I stood in his debt. Thecaptain interrupted me. 

"One day, before your mother died, she sent for me, " said he, "and I cameto Carvel Hall. You were too young to remember. It was in September, and she was sitting on the seat under the oak she loved so well, --by Dr. Hilliard's study. 

"The lace shawl your father had given her was around her shoulders, andupon her face was the smile that gave me a pang to see. For it hadsomething of heaven in it, Richard. She called me 'Daniel' then for thesecond time in her life. She bade me be seated beside her. 'Daniel, 'she said, 'when I am gone, and father is gone, it is you who will takecare of Richard. I sometimes believe all may not be well then, and thathe will need you. ' I knew she was thinking of Grafton, " said thecaptain. "'I have a little money of my own, Daniel, which I have savedlately with this in view. I give it into your charge, and if troublecomes to him, my old friend, you will use it as you see fit. '

"It was a bit under a thousand pounds, Richard. And when she died I putit out under Mr. Carroll's direction at safe interest. So that you haveenough to discharge your debt, and something saved against anotheremergency. "

He fell silent, sunk into one of those reveries which the memory of mymother awoke in him. My own thoughts drifted across the sea. I wasagain at the top of the stairs in Arlington Street, and feeling thedearest presence in the world. The pale oval of Dorothy's face rosebefore me and the troubled depths of her blue eyes. And I heard oncemore the tremble in her voice as she confessed, in words of which shetook no heed, that love for which I had sought in vain. 

The summer dusk was gathering. Outside, under the cherry trees, I sawBanks holding forth to an admiring circle of negro 'ostlers. Andpresently Mr. Claude came in to say that Shaw, the town carpenter, andSol Mogg, the ancient sexton of St. Anne's, and several more of my oldacquaintances were without, and begged the honour of greeting me. 

CHAPTER XLIV

NOBLESSE OBLIGE

I lay that night in Captain Clapsaddle's lodgings opposite, and sleptsoundly. Banks was on hand in the morning to assist at my toilet, andwas greatly downcast when I refused him this privilege, for the firsttime. Captain Daniel was highly pleased with the honest fellow'sdevotion in following me to America. To cheer him he began to questionhim as to my doings in London, and the first thing of which Banks musttell was of the riding-contest in Hyde Park, which I had omitted. It iseasy to imagine how this should have tickled the captain, who always hadmy horsemanship at heart; and when it came to Chartersea's descent intothe Serpentine, I thought he would go into apoplexy. For he had put onflesh with the years. 

The news of my return had spread all over town, so that I had a deal morehandshaking to do when we went to the Coffee House for breakfast. Allthe quality were in the country, of course, save only four gentlemen ofthe local Patriots' committee, of which Captain Daniel was a member, andwith whom he had an appointment at ten. It was Mr. Swain who arrivedfirst of the four. 

This old friend of my childhood was a quiet man (I may not havespecified), thin, and a little under stature, with a receding butthoughtful forehead. But he could express as much of joy and welcome inhis face and manner as could Captain Daniel with his heartier ways. 

"It does me good to see you, lad, " he said, pressing my hand. "I heardyou were home, and sent off an express to Patty and the mother lastnight. "

"And are they not here?" I asked, with disappointment. 

Mr. Swain smiled. 

"I have done a rash thing since I saw you, Richard, and bought a littleplantation in Talbot, next to Singleton's. It will be my ruin, " headded. "A lawyer has no business with landed ambitions. "

"A little plantation!" echoed the captain. "'Od's life, he has boughtone of his Lordship's own manors--as good an estate as there is in theprovince. "

"You overdo it, Daniel, " said he, reprovingly. 

At that moment there was a stir in the doorway, and in came Mr. Carroll, the barrister, and Mr. Bordley and Colonel Lloyd. These gentlemen gaveme such a welcome as those warm-hearted planters and lawyers knew how tobestow. 

"What, he!" cried Mr. Lloyd, "I'm stamped and taxed if it isn't youngRichard Carvel himself. Well, " says he, "I know one who will sleepeasier o' nights now, --one Clapsaddle. The gray hairs are forgot, Daniel. We had more to-do over your disappearance than when Mr. Worthington lost his musical nigger. Where a deuce have you been, sir?"

"He shall tell us when we come back, " said Mr. Bordley. "He has broughtour worthy association to a standstill once, and now we must proceedabout our business. Will you come, Richard? I believe you have provedyourself a sufficiently good patriot, and in this very house. "

We went down Church Street, I walking behind with Colonel Lloyd, and soproud to be in such company that I cared not a groat whether Grafton hadmy acres or not. I remembered that the committee all wore plain andsober clothes, and carried no swords. Mr. Swain alone had a wig. I hadbeen away but seven months, and yet here was a perceptible change. Inthese dignified and determined gentlemen England had more to fear than inall the mobs at Mr. Wilkes's back. How I wished that Charles Fox mighthave been with me. 

The sun beat down upon the street. The shopkeepers were gathered attheir doors, but their chattering was hushed as the dreaded committeepassed. More than one, apparently, had tasted of its discipline. Colonel Lloyd whispered to me to keep my countenance, that they werenot after very large game that morning, --only Chipchase, the butcher. And presently we came upon the rascal putting up his shutters in muchprecipitation, although it was noon. He had shed his blood-stained smockand breeches, and donned his Sunday best, --a white, thick-set coat, country cloth jacket, blue broadcloth breeches, and white shirt. Agrizzled cut wig sat somewhat awry under his bearskin hat. When heperceived Mr. Carroll at his shoulder, he dropped his shutter against thewall, and began bowing frantically. 

"You keep good hours, Master Chipchase, " remarked Colonel Lloyd. 

"And lose good customers, " Mr. Swain added laconically. 

The butcher wriggled. 

"Your honours must know there be little selling when the gentry be out oftown. And I was to take a holiday to-day, to see my daughter married. "

"You will have a feast, my good man?" Captain Daniel asked. 

"To be sure, your honour, a feast. "

"And any little ewe-lambs?" says Mr. Bordley, very innocent. 

Master Chipchase turned the colour of his meat, and his wit failed him. 

"'Fourthly, '" recited Mr. Carroll, with an exceeding sober face, "'Fourthly, that we will not kill, or suffer to be killed, or sell, ordispose to any person whom we have reason to believe intends to kill, anyewe-lamb that shall be weaned before the first day of May, in any yearduring the time aforesaid. ' Have you ever heard anything of that sound, Mr. Chipchase?"

Mr. Chipchase had. And if their honours pleased, he had a defence tomake, if their honours would but listen. And if their honours but knew, he was as good a patriot as any in the province, and sold his wool toPeter Psalter, and he wore the homespun in winter. Then Mr. Carroll drewa paper from his pocket, and began to read: "Mr. Thomas Hincks, personally known to me, deposeth and saith, --"

Master Chipchase's knees gave from under him. 

"And your honours please, " he cried piteously, "I killed the lamb, but'twas at Mr. Grafton Carvel's order, who was in town with hisExcellency. " (Here Mr. Swain and the captain glanced significantly atme. ) "And I lose Mr. Carvel's custom, there is twelve pounds odd gonea year, your honours. And I am a poor man, sirs. "

"Who is it owns your shop, my man?" asks Mr. Bordley, very sternly. 

"Oh, I beg your honours will not have me put out--"

The wailing of his voice had drawn a crowd of idlers and brothershopkeepers, who seemed vastly to enjoy the knave's discomfiture. Amongst them I recognized my old acquaintance, Weld, now a rivalbutcher. He pushed forward boldly. 

"And your honours please, " said he, "he has sold lamb to half the Torygentry in Annapolis. "

"A lie!" cried Chipchase; "a lie, as God hears me!"

Now Captain Clapsaddle was one who carried his loves and his hatreds tothe grave, and he had never liked Weld since the day, six years gone by, he had sent me into the Ship tavern. And when Weld heard the captain'svoice he slunk away without a word. 

"Have a care, Master Weld, " says he, in a quiet tone that boded no good;"there is more evidence against you than you will like. "

Master Chipchase, after being frightened almost out of his senses, waspardoned this once by Captain Daniel's influence. We went thence to Mr. Hildreth's shop; he was suspected of having got tea out of a South Riversnow; then to Mr. Jackson's; and so on. 'Twas after two when we got backto the Coffee House, and sat down to as good a dinner as Mr. Claude couldprepare. "And now, " cried Colonel Lloyd, "we shall have your adventures, Richard. I would that your uncle were here to listen to them, " he addeddryly. 

I recited them very much as I had done the night before, and I warrantyou, my dears, that they listened with more zest and eagerness than didMr. Walpole. But they were all shrewd men, and kept their suspicions, if they had any, to themselves. Captain Daniel would have me omitnothing, --my intimacy with Mr. Fox, the speech at Brooks's Club, and the riding-match at Hyde Park. 

"What say you to that, gentlemen?" he cried. "Egad, I'll be sworn hedeserves credit, --an arrant young spark out of the Colonies, scarceturned nineteen, defeating a duke of the realm on horseback, andpreaching the gospel of 'no taxation' at Brooks's Club! Nor the favourof Sandwich or March could turn him from his principles. "

Modesty, my dears, does not permit me to picture the enthusiasm of thesegood gentlemen, who bore the responsibility of the colony of Marylandupon their shoulders. They made more of me than I deserved. In vain didI seek to explain that if a young man was but well-born, and had a fullpurse and a turn for high play, his principles might go hang, for allMr. Fox cared. Colonel Lloyd commanded that the famous rose punch-bowlbe filled to the brim with Mr. Claude's best summer brew, and they drankmy health and my grandfather's memory. It mattered little to them thatI was poor. They vowed I should not lose by my choice. Mr. Bordleyoffered me a home, and added that I should have employment enough in thedays to come. Mr. Carroll pressed me likewise. And big-hearted ColonelLloyd desired to send me to King's College, as was my grandfather's wish, where Will Fotheringay and my cousin Philip had been for a term. I mightmake a barrister of myself. Mr. Swain alone was silent and thoughtful, but I did not for an instant doubt that he would have done as much forme. 

Before we broke up for the evening the gentlemen plied me with questionsconcerning the state of affairs in England, and the temper of his Majestyand Parliament. I say without vanity that I was able to enlighten themnot a little, for I had learned a deeper lesson from the set into whichI had fallen in London than if I had become the confidant of Rockinghamhimself. America was a long way from England in those days. I regrettedthat I had not arrived in London in time to witness Lord Chatham'sdramatic return to politics in January, when he had completed the workof Junius, and broken up the Grafton ministry. But I told them of thedebate I had heard in St. Stephen's, and made them laugh over Mr. Fox'srescue of the King's friends, and the hustling of Mr. Burke from theLords. 

They were very curious, too, about Mr. Manners; and I was put to muchingenuity to answer their queries and not reveal my own connection withhim. They wished to know if it were true that some nobleman had flung abottle at his head in a rage because Dorothy would not marry him, as Dr. Courtenay's letter had stated. I replied that it was so. I did not addthat it was the same nobleman who had been pitched into the Serpentine. Nor did I mention the fight at Vauxhall. I made no doubt these thingswould come to their ears, but I did not choose to be the one to tellthem. Mr. Swain remained after the other gentlemen, and asked me if Iwould come with him to Gloucester Street; that he had something to say tome. We went the long way thither, and I was very grateful to him foravoiding Marlboro' Street, which must needs bring me painfulrecollections. He said little on the way. 

I almost expected to see Patty come tripping down from the vine-coveredporch with her needlework in her hand, and the house seemed strangelyempty without her. Mr. Swain had his negro, Romney, place chairs for usunder the apple tree, and bring out pipes and sangaree. The air wasstill, and heavy with the flowers' scent, and the sun was dipping behindthe low eaves of the house. It was so natural to be there that I scarcerealized all that had happened since last I saw the back gate in thepicket fence. Alas! little Patty would never more be smuggled through itand over the wall to Marlboro' Street. Mr. Swain recalled my thoughts. 

"Captain Clapsaddle has asked me to look into this matter of the will, Richard, " he began abruptly. "Altho' we thought never to see you again, we have hoped against hope. I fear you have little chance for yourproperty, my lad. "

I replied that Captain Daniel had so led me to believe, and thanked himfor his kindness and his trouble. 

"'Twas no trouble, " he replied quickly. "Indeed, I wish it might havebeen. I shall always think of your grandfather with reverence and withsorrow. He was a noble man, and was a friend to me, in spite of mypolitics, when other gentlemen of position would not invite me to theirhouses. It would be the greatest happiness of my life if I could restorehis property to you, where he would have had it go, and deprive thatvillain, your uncle, of the fruits of his crime. "

"Then there is nothing to be got by contesting the will?" I asked. 

He shook his head soberly. 

"I fear not at present, " said he, "nor can I with honesty hold out anyhope to you, Richard. Your uncle, by reason of his wealth, is a man ofundue influence with the powers of the colony. Even if he were not so, Idoubt greatly whether we should be the gainers. The will is undoubtedlygenuine. Mr. Carvel thought you dead, and we cannot prove undueinfluence by Grafton unless we also prove that it was he who causedyour abduction. Do you think you can prove that?"

"There is one witness, " I exclaimed, "who overheard my uncle and Mr. Allen talking of South River and Griggs, the master of the slaver, in the stables at Carvel Hall. "

"And who is that?" demanded Mr. Swain, with more excitement than Ibelieved him capable of. 

"Old Harvey. "

Your grandfather's coachman? Alas, he died the day after Mr. Carvel, andwas buried the same afternoon. Have you spoken of this?"

"Not to a soul, " said I. 

"Then I would not. You will have to be very careful and say nothing, Richard. Let me hear what other reasons you have for believing that youruncle tried to do away with you. "

I told him, lucidly as possible, everything I have related in thesepages, and the admission of Griggs. He listened intently, shaking hishead now and then, but not a word out of him. 

"No, " he said at length, "nothing is there which will be admitted, butenough to damn him if you yourself might be a witness. I will give youthe law, briefly: descendible estates among us are of two kinds, estatesin fee simple and estates in fee tail. Had your grandfather died withouta will, his estate, which we suppose to be in fee simple, would havedescended to you as the son of his eldest son, according to the fourth ofthe canons of descent in Blackstone. But with us fee simple estates aredevisable, and Mr. Carvel was wholly within his right in cutting off theline of his eldest son. Do you follow me?"

I nodded. 

"There is one chance, " he continued, "and that is a very slim one. I said that Mr. Carvel's estate was supposed to be in fee simple. Estates tail are not devisable. Our system of registration is far frominfallible, and sometimes an old family settlement turns up to prove thata property which has been willed out of the direct line, as in feesimple, is in reality entailed. Is there a possibility of any suchdocument?"

I replied that I did not know. My grandfather had never brought up thesubject. 

"We must bend our efforts in that direction, " said the barrister. "I shall have my clerks make a systematic search. "

He ceased talking, and sat sipping his sangaree in the abstracted mannercommon to him. I took the opportunity to ask about his family, thinkingabout what Dolly had said of Patty's illness. 

"The mother is as well as can be expected, Richard, and Patty very rosywith the country air. Your disappearance was a great shock to themboth. "

"And Tom?"

He went behind his reserve. "Tom is a d--d rake, " he exclaimed, withsome vehemence. "I have given him over. He has taken up with thatmacaroni Courtenay, who wins his money, --or rather my money, --and yourcousin Philip, when he is home from King's College. How Tom can be sonof mine is beyond me, in faith. I see him about once in two months, whenhe comes here with a bill for his satins and his ruffles, and along faceof repentance, and a lot of gaming debts to involve my honour. And thatreminds me, Richard, " said he, looking straight at me with his clear, dark eyes: "have you made any plans for your future?"

I ventured to ask his advice as to entering the law. 

"As the only profession open to a gentleman, " he replied, smiling alittle. "No, you were no more cut out for an attorney, or a barrister, or a judge, than was I for a macaroni doctor. The time is not far away, my lad, " he went on, seeing my shame and confusion, "when an American mayamass money in any way he chooses, and still be a gentleman, behind acounter, if he will. "

"I do not fear work, Mr. Swain, " I remarked, with some pride. 

"That is what I have been thinking, " he said shortly. "And I am not aman to make up my mind while you count three, Richard. I have the placein Talbot, and no one to look after it. And--and in short I think youare the man. "

He paused to watch the effect of this upon me. But I was so taken abackby this new act of kindness that I could not say a word. 

"Tom is fast going to the devil, as I told you, " he continued. "Hecannot be trusted. If I die, that estate shall be Patty's, and he maynever squander it. Captain Daniel tells me, and Mr. Bordley also, thatyou managed at Carvel Hall with sense and ability. I know you are veryyoung, but I think I may rely upon you. "

Again he hesitated, eying me fixedly. 

"Ah, " said he, with his quiet smile, "it is the old noblesse oblige. Howmany careers has it ruined since the world began!"

CHAPTER XLV

THE HOUSE OF MEMORIES

I was greatly touched, and made Mr. Swain many awkward acknowledgments, which he mercifully cut short. I asked him for a while to think over hisoffer. This seemed to please rather than displease him. And my firstimpulse on reaching the inn was to ask the captain's advice. I thoughtbetter of it however, and at length resolved to thrash out the matter formyself. 

The next morning, as I sat reflecting, an overwhelming desire seized meto go to Marlboro' Street. Hitherto I could not have borne the sight ofthe old place. I gulped down my emotion as the gate creaked behind me, and made my way slowly to the white seat under the big chestnut behindthe house, where my grandfather had been wont to sit reading his prints, in the warm weather. The flowers and the hedges had grown to a certainwildness; and the smell of the American roses carried me back-as odourswill-to long-forgotten and trivial scenes. Here I had been caned many aday for Mr. Daaken's reports, and for earlier offences. And I recalledmy mother as she once ran out at the sound of my cries to beg me off. Sovivid was that picture that I could hear Mr. Carvel say: "He is yours, madam, not mine. Take him!"

I started up. The house was still, the sun blistering the green paint ofthe shutters. My eye was caught by those on the room that had been hers, and which, by my grandfather's decree, had lain closed since she left it. The image of it grew in my mind: the mahogany bed with its poppycounterpane and creamy curtains, and the steps at the side by which shewas wont to enter it; and the 'prie-dieu', whence her soul had beenlifted up to God. And the dresser with her china and silver upon it, covered by years of dust. For I had once stolen the key from Willis'sbunch, crept in, and crept out again, awed. That chamber would beprofaned, now, and those dear ornaments, which were mine, violated. The imagination choked me. 

I would have them. I must. Nothing easier than to pry open a door orwindow in the north wing, by the ball-room. When I saw Grafton I wouldtell him. Nay, I would write him that day. I was even casting about mefor an implement, when I heard a step on the gravel beside me. 

I swung around, and came face to face with my uncle. 

He must have perceived me. And after the first shock of my surprise hadpassed, I remarked a bearing on him that I had not seen before. He wasmaster of the situation at last, --so it read. The realization gave himan easier speech than ever. 

"I thought I might find you here, Richard, " he said, "since you were notat the Coffee House. "

He did not offer me his hand. I could only stare at him, for I hadexpected anything but this. 

"I came from Carvel Hall to get you, " he proceeded smoothly enough. "I heard but yesterday of your return, and some of your miraculousadventures. Your recklessness has caused us many a trying day, Richard, and I believe killed your grandfather. You have paid dearly, and havemade us pay dearly, for your mad frolic of fighting cut-throats on thehighroad. "

The wonder was that I did not kill him on the spot. I cannot think whatpossessed the man, --he must have known me better. 

"My recklessness!" I shouted, fairly hoarse with anger. I paid no heedto Mr. Swain's warning. "You d--d scoundrel!" I cried, "it was youkilled him, and you know it. When you had put me out of the way and hewas in your power, you tortured him to death. You forced him to diealone with your sneering face, while your shrew of a wife counted cardsdownstairs. Grafton Carvel, God knows you better than I, who know youtwo well. And He will punish you as sure as the crack of doom. "

He heard me through, giving back as I came forward, his face blanchingonly a little, and wearing all the time that yellow smile which so fittedit. 

"You have finished?" says he. 

"Ay, I have finished. And now you may order me from this ground you haverobbed me of. But there are some things in that house you shall notsteal, for they are mine despite you. "

"Name them, Richard, " he said, very sorrowful. 

"The articles in my mother's room, which were hers. "

"You shall have them this day, " he answered. 

It was his way never to lose his temper, tho' he were called by thevilest name in the language. He must always assume this pious griefwhich made me long to throttle him. He had the best of me, even now, as he took the great key from his pocket. 

"Will you look at them before you go?" he asked. 

At first I was for refusing. Then I nodded. He led the way silentlyaround by the front; and after he had turned the lock he stepped asidewith a bow to let me pass in ahead of him. Once more I was in thefamiliar hall with the stairs dividing at the back. It was cool afterthe heat, and musty, and a touch of death hung in the prisoned air. Wepaused for a moment on the landing, beside the high, triple-arched windowwhich the branches tapped on windy winter days, while Grafton took downthe bunch of keys from beside the clock. I thought of my deargrandfather winding it every Sunday, and his ruddy face and large figureas he stood glancing sidewise down at me. Then the sound of Grafton'sfeet upon the bare steps recalled the present. 

We passed Mr. Carvel's room and went down the little corridor over theball-room, until we came to the full-storied wing. My uncle flung openthe window and shutters opposite and gave me the key. A delicacy notforeign to him held him where he was. Time had sealed the door, and whenat last it gave before my strength, a shower of dust quivered in the rayof sunlight from the window. I entered reverently. I took only thesilverbound prayer-book, cast a lingering look at the old familiarobjects dimly defined, and came out and locked the door again. I saidvery quietly that I would send for the things that afternoon, for myanger was hushed by what I had seen. 

We halted together on the uncovered porch in front of the house, that hada seat set on each side of it. Marlboro' Street was still, the widetrees which flanked it spreading their shade over walk and roadway. Nota soul was abroad in the midday heat, and the windows of the long houseopposite were sightless. 

"Richard, " said my uncle, staring ahead of him, "I came to offer you ahome, and you insult me brutally, as you have done unreproved all yourlife. And yet no one shall say of me that I shirk my duty. But firstI must ask you if there is aught else you desire of me. "

"The black boy, Hugo, is mine, " I said. I had no great love for Hugo, save for association's sake, and I had one too many servants as it was;but to rescue one slave from Grafton's clutches was charity. 

"You shall have him, " he replied, "and your chaise, and your wardrobe, and your horses, and whatever else I have that belongs to you. As I wassaying, I will not shirk my duty. The memory of my dear father, and ofwhat he would have wished, will not permit me to let you go a-begging. You shall be provided for out of the estate, despite what you have saidand done. "

This was surely the quintessence of a rogue's imagination. InstinctivelyI shrank from him. With a show of piety that 'turned me sick hecontinued:

"Let God witness that I carry out my father's will!"

"Stop there, Grafton Carvel!" I cried; "you shall not take His name invain. Under this guise of holiness you and your accomplice have done thedevil's own work, and the devil will reward you. "

This reference to Mr. Allen, I believe, frightened him. For a secondonly did he show it. 

"My--my accomplice, sir!" he stammered. And then righting himself:"You will have to explain this, by Heaven. "

"In ample time your plot shall be laid bare, and you and his Reverenceshall hang, or lie in chains. "

"You threaten, Mr. Carvel?" he shouted, nearly stepping off the porch inhis excitement. 

"Nay, I predict, " I replied calmly. And I went down the steps and out ofthe gate, he looking after me. Before I had turned the corner ofFreshwater Lane, he was in the seat, and fanning himself with his hat. 

I went straight to Mr. Swain's chambers in the Circle, where I found thegood barrister and Captain Daniel in their shirt-sleeves, seated betweenthe windows in the back room. Mr. Swain was grave enough when he heardof my talk with Grafton, but the captain swore I was my father's son (forthe fiftieth time since I had come back), and that a man could no morehelp flying at Grafton's face than Knipe could resist his legs; orCynthia his back, if he went into her stall. I had scarce finished myrecital, when Mr. Renwick, the barrister's clerk, announced Mr. Tucker, which caused Mr. Swain to let out a whistle of surprise. 

"So the wind blows from that quarter, Daniel, " said he. "I thought so. "

Mr. Tucker proved to be the pettifogger into whose hands Grafton had puthis affairs, taking them from Mr. Dulany at Mr. Carvel's death. The manwas all in a sweat, and had hardly got in the door before he began totalk. He had no less astonishing a proposition to make than this, whichhe enunciated with much mouthing of the honour and sense of duty of Mr. Grafton Carvel. His client offered to Mr. Richard Carvel the estatelying in Kent County, embracing thirty-three hundred acres more or lessof arable land and woodland, with a fine new house, together with theindented servants and negroes and other chattels thereon. Mr. RichardCarvel would observe that in making this generous offer for the welfareof his nephew, Mr. Tucker's client was far beyond the letter of hisobligations; wherefore Mr. Grafton Carvel made it contingent upon theacceptance of the estate that his nephew should sign a paper renouncingforever any claims upon the properties of the late Mr. Lionel Carvel. This condition was so deftly rolled up in law-Latin that I did notunderstand a word of it until Mr. Swain stated it very briefly inEnglish. His quiet laugh prodigiously disconcerted the pettifogger, who had before been sufficiently ill at ease in the presence of thegreat lawyer. Mr. Tucker blew his nose loudly to hide his confusion. 

"And what say you, Richard?" said Mr. Swain, without a shade of accent inhis voice. 

I bowed my head. I knew that the honest barrister had read my heartwhen he spoke of noblesse oblige. That senseless pride of cast, sodeep-rooted in those born in our province, had made itself felt. To be afactor (so I thought, for I was young) was to renounce my birth. Untilthat moment of travail the doctrine of equality had seemed very prettyto me. Your fine gentleman may talk as nobly as he pleases over hisMadeira, and yet would patronize Monsieur Rousseau if he met him; and hetakes never a thought of those who knuckle to him every day, and cleanhis boots and collect his rents. But when he is tried in the fire, andtold suddenly to collect some one else's rents and curse another'snegroes, he is fainthearted for the experiment. So it was with me whenI had to meet the issue. I might take Grafton's offer, and the chanceto marry Dorothy was come again. For by industry the owner of the Kentlands would become rich. 

The room was hot, and still save for the buzzing of the flies. When Ilooked up I discovered the eyes of all three upon me. 

"You may tell your client, Mr. Tucker, that I refuse his offer, " I said. 

He got to his feet, and with the customary declaration of humbleservitude bowed himself out. 

The door was scarce closed on him when the captain had me by the hands. 

"What said I, Henry?" he cried. "Did I not know the lad?"

Mr. Swain did not stir from his seat. He was still gazing at me with acurious expression. And then I saw the world in truer colour. This goodSamaritan was not only taking me into his home, but would fight for myrights with the strong brain that had lifted him out of poverty andobscurity. I stood, humbled before him. 

"I would accept your kindness, Mr. Swain, " I said, vainly trying tosteady my voice, "but I have the faithful fellow, Banks, who followed mehere from England, dependant on me, and Hugo, whom I rescued from myuncle. I will make over the black to you and you will have him. "

He rose, brushed his eyes with his shirt, and took me by the arm. "You and the captain dine with me to-day, " says he. "And as for Banks, Ithink that can be arranged. Now I have an estate, I shall need a trainedbutler, egad. I have some affairs to keep me in town to-day, Richard. But we'll be off for Cordon's Pride in the morning, and I know of onelittle girl will be glad to see us. "

We dined out under the apple tree in Gloucester Street. And the captainargued, in his hopeful way, that Tucker's visit betrayed a weak point inGrafton's position. But the barrister shook his head and said thatGrafton was too shrewd a rogue to tender me an estate if he feared me. It was Mr. Swain's opinion that the motive of my uncle was to put himselfin a good light; and perhaps, he added, there was a little revenge mixedtherein, as the Kent estate was the one Mr. Carvel had given him when hecast him off. 

A southerly wind was sending great rolls of fog before it as Mr. Swainand I, with Banks, crossed over to Kent Island on the ferry the nextmorning. We traversed the island, and were landed by the other ferry onthe soil of my native county, Queen Anne's. In due time we cantered pastMaster Dingley's tavern, the sight of which gave me a sharp pang, for itis there that the by-road turns over the bridge to Carvel Hall and WilmotHouse; and force of habit drew my reins to the right across the horse'sneck, so that I swerved into it. The barrister had no word of commentwhen I overtook him again. 

'Twas about two o'clock when we came to the gate Mr. Swain had erected atthe entrance to his place; the land was a little rolling, and partlywooded, like that on the Wye. But the fields were prodigiously unkempt. He drew up, and glanced at me. 

"You will see there is much to be done with such fallows as these, "said he. "The lessees from his Lordship were sportsmen rather thanhusbandmen, and had an antipathy to a constable or a sheriff like arat to a boar cat. That is the curse of some of your Eastern Shoregentlemen, especially in Dorchester, " he added; "they get to befishmongers. "

Presently we came in sight of the house, long and low, like the one inGloucester Street, with a new and unpainted wing just completed. Thatday the mist softened its outline and blurred the trees which clusteredabout it. Even as we swung into the circle of the drive a rounded andyouthful figure appeared in the doorway, gave a little cry, and stoodimmovable. It was Patty, in a striped dimity gown with the sleevesrolled up, and her face fairly shone with joy as I leaped from my horseand took her hands. 

"So you like my surprise, girl?" said her father, as he kissed herblushing face. 

For answer she tore herself away, and ran through the hall to the broadporch in front. 

"Our barrister is come, mother, " we heard her exclaiming, "and whom doyou think he has brought?"

"Is it Richard?" asked the gentler voice, more hastily than usual. 

I stepped out on the porch, where the invalid sat in her armchair. Shewas smiling with joy, too, and she held out her wasted hands and drew metoward her, kissing me on both cheeks. 

"I thank God for His goodness, " said she. 

"And the boy has come to stay, mother, " said her husband, as he stoopedover her. 

"To stay!" cries Patty. 

"Gordon's Pride is henceforth his home, " replied the barrister. "And nowI can return in peace to my musty law, and know that my plantation willbe well looked after. "

Patty gasped. 

"Oh, I am so glad!" said she, "I could almost rejoice that his unclecheated him out of his property. He is to be factor of Gordon's Pride?"

"He is to be master of Gordon's Pride, my dear, " says her father, smilingand tilting her chin; "we shall have no such persons as factors here. "

At that the tears forced themselves into my own eyes. I turned away, andthen I perceived for the first time the tall form of my old friend, PercySingleton. 

"May I, too, bid you welcome, Richard, " said he, in his manly way; "andrejoice that I have got such a neighbour?"

"Thank you, Percy, " I answered. I was not in a state to say much more. 

"And now, " exclaims Patty, "what a dinner we shall have in the prodigal'shonour! I shall make you all some of the Naples biscuit Mrs. Brice toldme of. "

She flew into the house, and presently we heard her clear voice singingin the kitchen. 

CHAPTER XLVI

GORDON'S PRIDE

The years of a man's life that count the most are often those which maybe passed quickest in the story of it. And so I may hurry over the firstyears I spent as Mr. Swain's factor at Gordon's Pride. The task thatcame to my hand was heaven-sent. 

That manor-house, I am sure, was the tidiest in all Maryland, thanks toPatty's New England blood. She was astir with the birds of a morning, and near the last to retire at night, and happy as the days were long. She was ever up to her elbows in some dish, and her butter and herbiscuits were the best in the province. Little she cared to worksamplers, or peacocks in pretty wools, tho' in some way she found thetime to learn the spinet. As the troubles with the mother countrythickened, she took to a foot-wheel, and often in the crisp autumnevenings I would hear the bumping of it as I walked to the house, andturn the knob to come upon her spinning by the twilight. She would haveno English-made linen in that household. "If mine scratch your back, Richard, " she would say, "you must grin and bear, and console yourselfwith your virtue. " It was I saw to the flax, and learned from IvieRawlinson (who had come to us from Carvel Hall) the best manner to rippleand break and swingle it. And Mr. Swain, in imitation of the highexample set by Mr. Bordley, had buildings put up for wheels and thelooms, and in due time kept his own sheep. 

If man or woman, white or black, fell sick on the place, it was Pattyherself who tended them. She knew the virtue of every herb in the bigchest in the storeroom. And at table she presided over her father'sguests with a womanliness that won her more admiration than mine. Nowthat the barrister was become a man of weight, the house was as crowdedas ever was Carvel Hall. Carrolls and Pacas and Dulanys and Johnsons, and Lloyds and Bordleys and Brices and Scotts and Jennings and Ridouts, and Colonel Sharpe, who remained in the province, and many more familiesof prominence which I have not space to mention, all came to Gordon'sPride. Some of these, as their names proclaim, were of the King's side;but the bulk of Mr. Swain's company were stanch patriots, and toastedMiss Patty instead of his Majesty. By this I do not mean that theylacked loyalty, for it is a matter of note that our colony loved KingGeorge. 

I must not omit from the list above the name of my good friend, CaptainClapsaddle. 

Nor was there lack of younger company. Betty Tayloe, who plied me withquestions concerning Dorothy and London, but especially about the dashingand handsome Lord Comyn; and the Dulany girls, and I know not how manyothers. Will Fotheringay, when he was home from college, and ArchieBrice, and Francis Willard (whose father was now in the Assembly) andhalf a dozen more to court Patty, who would not so much as look at them. And when I twitted her with this she would redden and reply: "I wascreated for a housewife, sir, and not to make eyes from behind a fan. "Indeed, she was at her prettiest and best in the dimity frock, with thesleeves rolled up. 

'Twas a very merry place, the manor of Gordon's Pride. A generous bowlof punch always stood in the cool hall, through which the south windsswept from off the water, and fruit and sangaree and lemonade were on thetable there. The manor had no ball-room, but the negro fiddlers playedin the big parlour. And the young folks danced till supper time. Inthree months Patty's suppers grew famous in a colony where there was nolack of good cooks. 

The sweet-natured invalid enjoyed these festivities in her quiet way, and often pressed me to partake. So did Patty beg me, and Mr. Swain. Perhaps a false sense of pride restrained me, but my duties held me allday in the field, and often into the night when there was curing to bedone, or some other matters of necessity. And for the rest, I thoughtI detected a change in the tone of Mr. Fotheringay, and some others, tho'it may have been due to sensibility on my part. I would put up with nopatronage. 

There was no change of tone, at least, with the elder gentlemen. Theyplainly showed me an added respect. And so I fell into the habit, aftermy work was over, of joining them in their suppers rather than the sonsand daughters. There I was made right welcome. The serious conversationspiced with the wit of trained barristers and men of affairs bettersuited my changed condition of life. The times were sober, and for thosewho could see, a black cloud was on each horizon. 'Twas only a matter ofmonths when the thunder-clap was to come-indeed, enough was going onwithin our own province to forebode a revolution. The Assembly to whichmany of these gentlemen belonged was in a righteous state of oppositionto the Proprietary and the Council concerning the emoluments of colonialofficers and of clergymen. Honest Governor Eden had the misfortune tosee the justice of our side, and was driven into a seventh state by hisattempts to square his conscience. Bitter controversies were waging inthe Gazette, and names were called and duels fought weekly. For ourcause "The First Citizen" led the van, and the able arguments andmoderate language of his letters soon identified him as Mr. CharlesCarroll of Carrollton, one of the greatest men Maryland has ever known. But even at Mr. Swain's, amongst his few intimate friends, Mr. Carrollcould never be got to admit his 'nom de guerre' until long after'Antilon' had been beaten. 

I write it with pride, that at these suppers I was sometimes asked tospeak; and, having been but lately to England, to give my opinion uponthe state of affairs there. Mr. Carroll honoured me upon two occasionswith his confidence, and I was made clerk to a little club they had, andkept the minutes in my own hand. 

I went about in homespun, which, if good enough for Mr. Bordley, was goodenough for me. I rode with him over the estate. This gentleman was themost accomplished and scientific farmer we had in the province. Havinginherited his plantation on Wye Island, near Carvel Hall, he resigned hisduties as judge, and a lucrative practice, to turn all his energies tothe cultivation of the soil. His wheat was as eagerly sought after aswas Colonel Washington's tobacco. 

It was to Mr. Bordley's counsel that the greater part of my success wasdue. He taught me the folly of ploughing with a fluke, --a custom towhich the Eastern Shore was wedded, pointing out that a double surfacewas thus exposed to the sun's rays; and explained at length why there wasmore profit in small grain in that district than heavy tobacco. He gaveme Dr. Eliot's "Essays on Field Husbandry, " and Mill's "Husby, " which Iread from cover to cover. And I went from time to time to visit him atWye Island, when he would canter with me over that magnificentplantation, and show me with pride the finished outcome of hisexperiments. 

Mr. Swain's affairs kept him in town the greater part of the twelvemonths, and Mrs. Swain and Patty moved to Annapolis in the autumn. Butfor three years I was at Cordon's Pride winter and summer alike. At theend of that time I was fortunate enough to show my employer suchsubstantial results as to earn his commendation--ay, and his confidence, which was the highest token of that man's esteem. The moneys of theestate he left entirely at my order. And in the spring of '73, when theopportunity was suddenly offered to buy a thousand acres of excellentwheat land adjoining, I made the purchase for him while he was atWilliamsburg, and upon my own responsibility. 

This connected the plantation on the east with Singleton's. It had beenmy secret hope that the two estates might one day be joined in marriage. For of all those who came a-courting Patty, Percy was by far the best. He was but a diffident suitor; he would sit with me on the lawn eveningafter evening, when company was there, while Fotheringay and FrancisWillard made their compliments within, --silly flatteries, at which Pattylaughed. 

Percy kept his hounds, and many a run we had together' in the sparklingdays that followed the busy summer, when the crops were safe in thebottoms; or a quiet pipe and bottle in his bachelor's hall, after asoaking on the duck points. 

And this brings me to a subject on which I am loth to write. Where Mr. Singleton was concerned, Patty, the kindest of creatures, was crueltyitself. Once, when I had the effrontery to venture a word in his behalf, I had been silenced so effectively as to make my ears tingle. A thousandlittle signs led me to a conclusion which pained me more than I canexpress. Heaven is my witness that no baser feeling leads me to hint ofit here. Every day while the garden lasted flowers were in my room, andit was Banks who told me that she would allow no other hands than her ownto place them by my bed. He got a round rating from me for violating thepledge of secrecy he had given her. It was Patty who made my shirts, andon Christmas knitted me something of comfort; who stood on thehorse-block in the early morning waving after me as I rode away, andat my coming her eyes would kindle with a light not to be mistaken. 

None of these things were lost upon Percy Singleton, and I often wonderedwhy he did not hate me. He was of the kind that never shows a hurt. Force of habit still sent him to Gordon's Pride, but for days he wouldhave nothing to say to the mistress of it, or she to him. 

CHAPTER XLVII

VISITORS

It was not often that Mr. Thomas Swain honoured Gordon's Pride with hispresence. He vowed that the sober Whig company his father brought theregave him the vapours. He snapped his fingers at the articles of thePatriots' Association, and still had his cocked hats and his Brusselslace and his spyglass, and his top boots when he rode abroad, like anyother Tory buck. His intimates were all of the King's side, --of theworst of the King's side, I should say, for I would not be thought tocast any slur on the great number of conscientious men of that party. But, being the son of one of the main props of the Whigs, Mr. Tom wentunpunished for his father's sake. He was not uncondemned. 

Up to 1774, the times that Mr. Swain mentioned his son to me might becounted on the fingers of one hand. It took not a great deal ofshrewdness to guess that he had paid out many a pretty sum to keep Tom'shonour bright: as bright, at least, as such doubtful metal would polish. Tho' the barrister sought my ear in many matters, I never heard a whimperout of him on this score. 

Master Tom had no ambition beyond that of being a macaroni; hiseasy-going nature led him to avoid alike trouble and responsibility. Hence he did not bother his head concerning my position. He appearedwell content that I should make money out of the plantation for him tospend. His visits to Gordon's Pride were generally in the late autumn, and he brought his own company with him. I recall vividly his third orfourth appearance, in October of '73. Well I may! The family waspreparing to go to town, and this year I was to follow them, and takefrom Mr. Swain's shoulders some of his private business, for he had beenailing a little of late from overwork. 

The day of which I have spoken a storm had set in, the rain falling insheets. I had been in the saddle since breakfast, seeing to an hundredrepairs that had to be made before the cold weather. 'Twas near themiddle of the afternoon when I pulled up before the weaving house. Thelooms were still, and Patty met me at the door with a grave look, which Iknew portended something. But her first words were of my comfort. 

"Richard, will you ever learn sense? You have been wet all day long, and have missed your dinner. Go at once and change your clothes, sir!"she commanded severely. 

"I have first to look at the warehouse, where the roof is leaking, " Iexpostulated. 

"You shall do no such thing, " replied she, "but dry yourself, and marchinto the dining room. We have had the ducks you shot yesterday, and someof your experimental hominy; but they are all gone. "

I knew well she had laid aside for me some dainty, as was her habit. I dismounted. She gave me a quick, troubled glance, and said in a lowvoice:

"Tom is come. And oh, I dare not tell you whom he has with him now!"

"Courtenay?" I asked. 

"Yes, of coarse. I hate the sight of the man. But your cousin, PhilipCarvel, is here, Richard. Father will be very angry. And they aremaking a drinking-tavern of the house. "

I gave Firefly a slap that sent her trotting stable-ward, and walkedrapidly to the house. I found the three of them drinking in the hall, the punch spilled over the table, and staining the cards. 

"Gad's life!" cries Tom, "here comes Puritan Richard, in his broad rim. How goes the crop, Richard? 'Twill have to go well, egad, for I lost anhundred at the South River Club last week!"

Next him sat Philip, whom I had not seen since before I was carried off. He was lately come home from King's College; and very mysteriously, hisfather giving out that his health was not all it should be. He had notgained Grafton's height, but he was broader, and his face had somethingin it of his father. He had his mother's under lip and complexion. Grafton was sallow; Philip was a peculiar pink, --not the ruddy pink ofheartier natures, like my grandfather's, nor yet had he the peach-likeskin of Mr. Dix. Philip's was a darker and more solid colour, and I havenever seen man or woman with it and not mistrusted them. He wore a redvelvet coat embroidered with gold, and as costly ruffles as I had everseen in London. But for all this my cousin had a coarse look, and hispolished blue flints of eyes were those of a coarse man. 

He got to his feet as Tom spoke, looking anywhere but at me, and cameforward slowly. He was loyal to no one, was Philip, not even to hisfather. When he was got within three paces he halted. 

"How do you, cousin?" says he. 

"A little wet, as you perceive, Philip, " I replied. 

I left him and stood before the fire, my rough wool steaming in the heat. He sat down again, a little awkwardly; and the situation began to pleaseme better. 

"How do you?" I asked presently. 

"I have got a devilish cold, " said he. "Faith, I'll warrant the doctorwill be sworn I have been but indifferent company since we left the Hall. Eh, doctor?"

Courtenay, with his feet stretched out, bestowed an amiable but languidwink upon me, as much as to say that I knew what Mr. Philip's company wasat best. When I came out after my dinner, they were still sitting there, Courtenay yawning, and Tom and Philip wrangling over last night's play. 

"Come, my man of affairs, join us a hand!" says the doctor to me. "I have known the time when you would sit from noon until supper. "

"I had money then, " said I. 

"And you have a little now, or I am cursed badly mistook. Oons! what doyou fear?" he exclaimed, "you that have played with March and Fox?"

"I fear nothing, doctor, " I answered, smiling. "But a man must have asorry honour when he will win fifty pounds with but ten of capital. "

"One of Dr. Franklin's maxims, I presume, " says he, with sarcasm. 

"And if it were, it could scarce be more pat, " I retorted. "'Tis PoorRichard's maxim. "

"O lud! O my soul!" cries Tom, with a hiccup and a snigger; "'tis timeyou made another grand tour, Courtenay. Here's the second Whig has gotin on you within the week!"

"Thank God they have not got me down to osnabrig and bumbo yet, " repliesthe doctor. Coming over to me by the fire, he tapped my sleeve and addedin a low tone: "Forbearance with such a pair of asses is enough to make aman shed bitter tears. But a little of it is necessary to keep out ofdebt. You and I will play together, against both the lambs, Richard. One of them is not far from maudlin now. "

"Thank you, doctor, " I answered politely, "but I have a better way tomake my living. " In three years I had learned a little to control mytemper. 

He shrugged his thin shoulders. "Eh bien, mon bon, " says he, "I dareswear you know your own game better than do I. " And he cast a look upthe stairs, of which I quite missed the meaning. Indeed, I was whollyindifferent. The doctor and his like had passed out of my life, and Ibelieved they were soon to disappear from our Western Hemisphere. Thereport I had heard was now confirmed, that his fortune was dissipated, and that he lived entirely off these young rakes who aspired to bemacaronies. 

"Since your factor is become a damned Lutheran, Tom, " said he, returningto the table and stripping a pack, "it will have to be picquet. Youpromised me we could count on a fourth, or I had never left Inman's. "

It was Tom, as I had feared, who sat down unsteadily opposite. Philiplounged and watched them sulkily, snuffing and wheezing and dipping intothe bowl, and cursing the house for a draughty barn. I took a pipe onthe settle to see what would come of it. I was not surprised thatCourtenay lost at first, and that Tom drank the most of the punch. Norwas it above half an hour before the stakes were raised and the tidebegan to turn in the doctor's favour. 

"A plague of you, Courtenay!" cries Mr. Tom, at length, flinging down thecards. His voice was thick, while the Selwyn of Annapolis was neversoberer in his life. Tom appealed first to Philip for the twenty poundshe owed him. 

"You know how damned stingy my father is, curse you, " whined my cousin, in return. "I told you I should not have it till the first of themonth. "

Tom swore back. He thrust his hands deep in his pockets and sank intothat attitude of dejection common to drunkards. Suddenly he pulledhimself up. 

"'Shblood! Here's Richard t' draw from. Lemme have fifty pounds, Richard. "

"Not a farthing, " I said, unmoved. 

"You say wha' shall be done with my father's money!" he cried. "I calltha' damned cool--Gad's life! I do. Eh, Courtenay?"

Courtenay had the sense not to interfere. 

"I'll have you dishcharged, Gads death! so I will!" he shouted. "Nodamned airs wi' me, Mr. Carvel. I'll have you know you're not wha' youonce were, but, only a cursht oversheer. "

He struggled to his feet, forgot his wrath on the instant, and began tosing drunkenly the words of a ribald air. I took him by both shouldersand pushed him back into his chair. 

"Be quiet, " I said sternly; "while your mother and sister are here youshall not insult them with such a song. " He ceased, astonished. "And asfor you, gentlemen, " I continued, "you should know better than to make aplace of resort out of a gentleman's house. "

Courtenay's voice broke the silence that followed. 

"Of all the cursed impertinences I ever saw, egad!" he drawled. "Isthis your manor, Mr. Carvel? Or have you a seat in Kent?"

I would not have it in black and white that I am an advocate of fighting. But a that moment I was in the mood when it does not matter much one wayor the other. The drunken man carried us past the point. 

"The damned in--intriguing rogue'sh worked himself into my father'sgrashes, " he said, counting out his words. "He'sh no more Whig than me. I know'sh game, Courtenay--he wants t' marry Patty. Thish place'll behers. "

The effect upon me of these words, with all their hideous implication ofgossip and scandal, was for an instant benumbing. The interpretation ofthe doctor's innuendo struck me then. I was starting forward, with ahand open to clap over Tom's mouth, when I saw the laugh die onCourtenay's face, and him come bowing to his legs. I turned with astart. 

On the stairs stood Patty herself, pale as marble. 

"Come with me, Tom, " she said. 

He had obeyed her from childhood. This time he tried, and failedmiserably. 

"Beg pardon, Patty, " he stammered, "no offensh meant. Thish factorthinks h' ownsh Gordon's now. I say, not'll h' marries you. Goodfellow, Richard, but infernal forward. Eh, Courtenay?"

Philip turned away, while the doctor pretended to examine the silverpunch-ladle. As for me, I could only stare. It was Patty who kept herhead, and made us a stately curtsey. 

"Will you do me the kindness, gentlemen, " said she, "to leave me with mybrother?"

We walked silently into the parlour, and I closed the door. 

"Slife!" cried Courtenay, "she's a vision. What say you, Philip? And Imight see her in that guise again, egad, I would forgive Tom his fivehundred crowns!"

"A buxom vision, " agreed my cousin, "but I vow I like 'em so. " He hadforgotten his cold. 

"This conversation is all of a piece with the rest of your conduct, " saidI, hotly. 

The candles were burning brightly in the sconces. The doctor walked tothe glass, took snuff, and burnished his waistcoat before he answered. 

"Sure, a fortune lies under every virtue we assume, " he recited. "Butshe is not for you, Richard, " says he, tapping his box. 

"Mr. Carvel, if you please, " I replied. I felt the demon within me. ButI had the sense to realize that a quarrel with Dr. Courtenay, under thecircumstances, would be far from wise. He had no intention ofquarrelling, however. He made me a grand bow. 

"Mr. Carvel, your very obedient. Hereafter I shall know better than toforget myself with an overseer. " And he gave me his back. "What say youto a game of billiards, Philip?"

Philip seemed glad to escape. And soon I heard their voices, minglingwith the click of the balls. There followed for me one of the bitteresthalf hours I have had in my life. Then Patty opened the hall door. 

"Will you come in for a moment, Richard?" she said, quite calmly. 

I followed her, wondering at the masterful spirit she had shown. Forthere was Tom all askew in his chair, his feet one way and his handsanother, totally subdued. What was most to the point, he made me anelaborate apology. How she had sobered his mind I know not. His bodywas as helpless as the day he was born. 

Long before the guests thought of rising the next morning, Patty came tome as I was having the mare saddled. The sun was up, and the clouds werebeing chased, like miscreants who have played their prank, and were nowrunning for it. The sharp air brought the red into her cheeks. And forthe first time in her life with me she showed shyness. She glanced upinto my face, and then down at the leaves running on the ground. 

"I hope they will go to-day, " said she, when I was ready to mount. 

I began to tighten the girths, venting my feelings on Firefly until theanimal swung around and made a vicious pass at my arm. 

"Richard!"

"Yes. "

"You will not worry over that senseless speech of Tom's?"

"I see it in a properer light now, Patty, " I replied. "I usually do--inthe morning. "

She sighed. 

"You are so--high-strung, " she said, "I was afraid you would--"

"I would--?"

She did not answer until I had repeated. 

"I was very silly, " she said slowly, her colour mounting even higher, "I was afraid that you would--leave us. " Stroking the mare's neck, andwith a little halt in her voice, "I do not know what we should dowithout you. "

Indeed, I was beginning to think I would better leave, though where Ishould go was more than I could say. With a quick intuition she caughtmy hand as I put foot in the stirrup. 

"You will not go away!" she cried. "Say you will not! What would poorfather do? He is not so well as he used to be. "

The wild appeal in her eyes frightened me. It was beyond resisting. Ingreat agitation I put my foot to the ground again. 

"Patty, I should be a graceless scamp in truth, " I exclaimed. "I do notforget that your father gave me a home when mine was taken away, and hasmade me one of his family. I shall thank God if I can but lighten someof his burdens. "

But they did not depart that day, nor the next; nor, indeed, for a weekafter. For Philip's cold brought on a high fever. He stuck to his bed, and Patty herself made broth and dainties for him, and prescribed himmedicine out of the oak chest whence had come so much comfort. At firstPhilip thought he would die, and forswore wine and cards, and some otherthings the taste for which he had cultivated, and likewise worse vicesthat had come to him by nature. 

I am greatly pleased to write that the stay profited the gallant Dr. Courtenay nothing. Patty's mature beauty and her manner of carrying offthe episode in the hall had made a deep impression upon the Censor. Iread the man's mind in his eye; here was a match to mend his fortunes, and do him credit besides. However, his wit and his languishing glancesand double meanings fell on barren ground. No tire-woman on theplantation was busier than Patty during the first few days of his stay. After that he grew sulky and vented his spleen on poor Tom, winning moremoney from him at billiards and picquet. Since the doctor was too muchthe macaroni to ride to hounds and to shoot ducks, time began to hangexceeding heavy on his hands. 

Patty and I had many a quiet laugh over his predicament. And, to addzest to the situation, I informed Singleton of what was going forward. He came over every night for supper, and to my delight the bluffEnglishman was received in a fashion to make the doctor writhe and snortwith mortification. Never in his life had he been so insignificant aperson. And he, whose conversation was so sought after in the gay seasonin town, was thrown for companionship upon a scarce-grown boy whose talkwas about as salted, and whose intellect as great, as those of thecockerouse in our fable. He stood it about a se'nnight, at the end ofwhich space Philip was put on his horse, will-he-nill-he, and made toride northward. 

I sat with my cousin of an evening as he lay in bed. Not, I own, fromany charity on my part, but from other motives which do me no credit. The first night he confessed his sins, and they edified me not a little. On the second he was well enough to sit up and swear, and to vow thatMiss Swain was an angel; that he would marry her the very next week andhis father Grafton were not such a stickler for family. 

"Curse him, " says his dutiful and loyal son, "he is so bally stingy withmy stipend that I am in debt to half the province. And I say it myself, Richard, he has been a blackguard to you, tho' I allow him some littleexcuse. You were faring better now, my dear cousin, and you had notgiven him every reason to hate you. For I have heard him declare morethan once 'pon my soul, I have--that he would rather you were his friendthan his enemy. "

My contempt for Philip kept me silent here. I might quarrel withGrafton, who had sense enough to feel pain at a well deserved thrust. Philip had not the intelligence to recognize insult from compliment. Itwas but natural he should mistake my attitude now. He leaned forward inhis bed. 

"Hark you, Richard, " whispers he, with a glance at the door, "I mighttell you some things and I chose, and--and it were worth my while. "

"Worth your while?" I repeated vaguely. 

He traced nervously the figures on the counterpane. Next came a rush ofanger to redden his face. 

"By Gad, I will tell you. Swear to Gad I will. " Then, the littlecunning inherited from his father asserting itself, he added, "Look you, Richard, I am the son of one of the richest men in the colony, and I getthe pittance of a backwoods pastor. I tell you 'tis not to be bornewith. And I am not of as much consideration at the Hall as Brady, theIrish convict, who has become overseer. "

I little wondered at this. Philip sank back, and for some moments eyedme between narrowed lids. He continued presently with shortened breath:

"I have evidence--I have evidence to get you back a good share of theestate, which my father will never miss. And I will do it, " he cries, suddenly bold, "I will do it for three thousand pounds down when youreceive it. "

This was why he had come with Tom to Talbot! I was so dumfounded that myspeech was quite taken away. Then I got up and began pacing the room. Was it not fair to fight a scoundrel with his own weapons? Here at lastwas the witness Mr. Swain had been seeking so long, come of his own freewill. Then--Heaven help me!--my mind flew on. As time had passed I hadmore than once regretted refusing the Kent plantation, which had put herfrom whom my thought never wandered within my reach again. Good Mr. Swain had erred for once. 'Twas foolish, indeed, not to accept a portionof what was rightfully mine, when no more could be got. And now, if whatPhilip said was true (and I doubted it not), here at last was the chancecome again to win her without whom I should never be happy. I glanced atmy cousin. 

"Gad's life!" says he, "it is cheap enough. I might have asked youdouble. "

"So you might, and have been refused, " I cried hotly. For I believe thatspeech of his recalled me to my senses. It has ever been an instinctwith me that no real prosperity comes out of double-dealing. Andcommerce with such a sneak sickened me. "Go back to your father, Philip, and threaten him, and he may make you rich. Such as he live byblackmail. And you may add, and you will, that the day of retributionis coming for him. "

CHAPTER XLVIII

MULTUM IN PARVO

I lost no time after getting to Annapolis in confiding to Mr. Swain theconversation I had had with my cousin Philip. And I noticed, as he satlistening to my account in the library in Gloucester Street, that thebarrister looked very worn. He had never been a strong man, and thesevere strain he had been under with the patriots' business was beginningto tell. 

He was very thoughtful when I had finished, and then told me briefly thatI had done well not to take the offer. "Tucker would have made but shortwork of such evidence, my lad, " said he, "and I think Master Philip wouldhave lied himself in and out a dozen times. I cannot think what witnesshe would have introduced save Mr. Allen. And there is scarcely a doubtthat your uncle pays him for his silence, for I am told he is living inFrederick in a manner far above what he gets from the parish. However, Philip has given us something more to work on. It may be that he can puthands on the messenger. "

I rose to go. 

"We shall bring them to earth yet, Richard, and I live, " he added. "AndI have always meant to ask you whether you ever regretted your decisionin taking Gordon's Pride. "

"And you live, sir!" I exclaimed, not heeding the question. 

He smiled somewhat sadly. 

"Of one thing I am sure, my lad, " he continued, "which is that I have hadno regrets about taking you. Mr. Bordley has just been here, and tellsme you are the ablest young man in the province. You see that more eyesthan mine are upon you. You have proved yourself a man, Richard, andthere are very few macaronies would have done as you did. I am resolvedto add another little mite to your salary. "

The "little mite" was of such a substantial nature that I protestedstrongly against it. I thought of Tom's demands upon him. 

"I could afford to give you double for what you have made off the place, "he interrupted. "But I do not believe in young men having too much. " Hesighed, and turned to his work. 

I hesitated. "You have spent time and labour upon my case, sir, and haveasked no fee. "

"I shall speak of the fee when I win it, " he said dryly, "and not before. How would you like to be clerk this winter to the Committee ofCorrespondence?"

I suppose my pleasure was expressed in my face. 

"Well, " said he, "I have got you the appointment without much difficulty. There are many ways in which you can be useful to the party when nothelping me with my affairs. "

This conversation gave me food for reflection during a week. I wastroubled about Mr. Swain, and what he had said as to not living keptrunning in my head as I wrote or figured. For I had enough to hold mebusy. 

In the meantime, the clouds fast gathering on both sides of the Atlanticgrew blacker, and blacker still. I saw a great change in Annapolis. Menof affairs went about with grave faces, while gay and sober alike weretouched by the spell. The Tory gentry, to be sure, rattled about intheir gilded mahogany coaches, in spite of jeers and sour looks. My AuntCaroline wore jewelled stomachers to the assemblies, --now become dry andshrivelled entertainments. She kept her hairdresser, had three men inlivery to her chair, and a little negro in Turk's costume to wait on her. I often met her in the streets, and took a fierce joy in staring her, inthe eye. And Grafton! By a sort of fate I was continually runningagainst him. He was a very busy man, was my uncle, and had a kind ofdignified run, which he used between Marlboro' Street and the CouncilChamber in the Stadt House, or the Governor's mansion. He never did methe honour to glance at me. The Rev. Mr. Allen, too, came a-visitingfrom Frederick, where he had grown stout as an alderman upon the livingand its perquisites and Grafton's additional bounty. The gossips werebusy with his doings, for he had his travelling-coach and servant now. He went to the Tory balls with my aunt. Once I all but encountered himon the Circle, but he ran into Northeast Street to avoid me. 

Yes, that was the winter when the wise foresaw the inevitable, and thefirst sharp split occurred between men who had been brothers. The oldorder of things had plainly passed, and I was truly thankful that mygrandfather had not lived to witness those scenes. The greater part ofour gentry stood firm for America's rights, and they had behind them thebest lawyers in America. After the lawyers came the small planters andmost of the mechanics. The shopkeepers formed the backbone of KingGeorge's adherents; the Tory gentry, the clergy, and those holding officeunder the proprietor made the rest. 

And it was all about tea, a word which, since '67, had been steadilybecoming the most vexed in the language. The East India Company had putforth a complaint. They had Heaven knows how many tons getting stale inLondon warehouses, all by reason of our stubbornness, and so it wasenacted that all tea paying the small American tax should have a rebateof the English duties. That was truly a master-stroke, for Parliament togive it us cheaper than it could be had at home! To cause his Majesty'sgovernment to lose revenues for the sake of being able to say they hadcaught and taxed us at last! The happy result is now history, my dears. And this is not a history, tho' I wish it were. What occurred at Boston, at Philadelphia, and Charleston, has since caused Englishmen, as well asAmericans, to feel proud. The chief incident in Annapolis I shallmention in another chapter. 

When it became known with us that several cargoes were on their way tothe colonies, excitement and indignation gained a pitch not reached sincethe Stamp Act. Business came to a standstill, plantations lay idle, andgentry and farmers flocked to Annapolis, and held meetings and maderesolutions anew. On my way of a morning from Mr. Swain's house to hischambers in the Circle I would meet as many as a dozen knots of people. Mr. Claude was one of the few patriots who reaped reward out of thedisturbance, for his inn was crowded. The Assembly met, appointedcommittees to correspond with the other colonies, and was prorogued onceand again. Many a night I sat up until the small hours copying outletters to the committees of Virginia, and Pennsylvania, andMassachusetts. The gentlemen were wont to dine at the Coffee House, and I would sit near the foot of the table, taking notes of their plans. 'Twas so I met many men of distinction from the other colonies. ColonelWashington came once. He was grown a greater man than ever, and Ithought him graver than when I had last seen him. I believe a trait ofthis gentleman was never to forget a face. 

"How do you, Richard?" said he. How I reddened when he called me sobefore all the committee. "I have heard your story, and it does you vastcredit. And the gentlemen tell me you are earning laurels, sir. "

That first winter of the tea troubles was cold and wet with us, and thesun, as if in sympathy with the times, rarely showed his face. Early inFebruary our apprehensions concerning Mr. Swain's health were realized. One day, without a word to any one, he went to his bed, where Patty foundhim. And I ran all the way to Dr. Leiden's. The doctor looked at him, felt his pulse and his chest, and said nothing. But he did not rest thatnight, nor did Patty or I. 

Thus I came to have to do with the good barrister's private affairs. Iknew that he was a rich man, as riches went in our province, but I hadnever tried to guess at his estate. I confess the sums he had paid outin Tom's behalf frightened me. With the advice of Mr. Bordley and Mr. Lloyd I managed his money as best I could, but by reason of thenon-importation resolutions there was little chance for good investments, --no cargoes coming and few going. I saw, indeed, that buying the Talbotestate had been a fortunate step, since the quantities of wheat we grewthere might be disposed of in America. 

When Dr. Leiden was still coming twice a day to Gloucester Street, Mr. Tom must needs get into a scrape with one of the ladies of the theatre, and come to me in the Circle chambers for one hundred pounds. I toldhim, in despair, that I had no authority to pay out his father's money. "And so you have become master, sure enough!" he cried, in a passion. For he was desperate. "You have worked your way in vastly well, egad, with your Whig committee meetings and speeches. And now he is on hisback, and you have possession, you choose to cut me off. 'Slife, I knowwhat will be coming next!"

I pulled him into Mr. Swain's private room, where we would be free of theclerks. "Yes, I am master here, " I replied, sadly enough, as he stoodsullenly before me. "I should think you would be ashamed to own it. When I came to your father I was content to be overseer in Talbot, andthankful for his bounty. 'Tis no fault of mine, but your disgrace, thathis son is not managing his business, and supporting him in the rights ofhis country. I am not very old, Tom. A year older than you, I believe. But I have seen enough of life to prophesy your end and you do notreform. "

"We are turned preacher, " he says, with a sneer. 

"God forbid! But I have been in a sponging-house, and tasted the lowestdregs. And if this country becomes free, as I think it will some day, such as you will be driven to England, and die in the Fleet. "

"Not while my father lives, " retorts he, and throws aside the oiled silkcape with a London name upon it. The day was rainy. I groaned. Myresponsibility lay heavy upon me. And this was not my first scene withhim. He continued doggedly:--"You have no right to deny me what is notyours. 'Twill be mine one day. "

"You have no right to accuse me of thoughts that do not occur to men ofhonour, " I replied. "I am slower to anger than I once was, but I giveyou warning now. Do you know that you will ruin your father in anotheryear and you continue?"

He gave me no answer. I reached for the ledger, and turning the pages, called off to him the sums he had spent. 

"Oh, have done, d--n it!" he cried, when I was not a third through. "Are you or are you not to give me the money?"

"And you are to spend it upon an actress?" I should have called her bya worse name. 

"Actress!" he shouted. "Have you seen her in The Orphan? My soul, sheis a divinity!" Then he shifted suddenly to whining and cringing. "I am ruined outright, Richard, if I do not get it. "

Abjectly he confessed the situation, which had in it enough material fora scandal to set the town wagging for a month. And the weight of itwould fall; as I well knew, upon those who deserved it least. 

"I will lend you the money, or, rather, will pay it for you, " I said, atlast. For I was not so foolish as to put it into his hands. "You shallhave the sum under certain conditions. "

He agreed to them before they were out of my mouth, and swore in a dozenways that he would repay me every farthing. He was heartily tired of thecreature, and, true to his nature, afraid of her. That night when theplay was over I went to her lodging, and after a scene too distressing todwell upon, bought her off. 

I sat with Mr. Swain many an hour that spring, with Patty sewing at thewindow open to the garden. Often, as we talked, unnoticed by her fathershe would drop her work and the tears glisten in her eyes. For thebarrister's voice was not as strong as it once was, and the cold wouldnot seem to lift from his chest. So this able man, who might have sat inthe seats of Maryland's high reward, was stricken when he was neededmost. 

He was permitted two visitors a day: now 'twas Mr. Carroll and ColonelLloyd, again Colonel Tilghman and Captain Clapsaddle, or Mr. Yaca and Mr. Bordley. The gentlemen took turns, and never was their business sopressing that they missed their hour. Mr. Swain read all the prints, andin his easier days would dictate to me his views for the committee, or a letter signed Brutes for Mr. Green to put in the Gazette. So Ibecame his mouthpiece at the meetings, and learned to formulate mythoughts and to speak clearly. 

For fear of confusing this narrative, my dears, I have referred butlittle to her who was in my thoughts night and day, and whose locket Iwore, throughout all those years, next my heart. I used to sit out underthe stars at Gordon's Pride, with the river lapping at my feet, andpicture her the shining centre of all the brilliant scenes I had left, and wonder if she still thought of me. 

Nor have I mentioned that faithful correspondent, and more faithfulfriend, Lord Comyn. As soon as ever I had obtained from Captain Danielmy mother's little inheritance, I sent off the debt I owed his Lordship. 'Twas a year before I got him to receive it; he despatched the money backonce, saying that I had more need of it than he. I smiled at this, formy Lord was never within his income, and I made no doubt he had signed anote to cover my indebtedness. 

Every letter Comyn writ me was nine parts Dolly, and the rest of hissheet usually taken up with Mr. Fox and his calamities: these had fallenupon him very thick of late. Lord Holland had been forced to pay out ahundred thousand pounds for Charles, and even this enormous sum did notentirely free Mr. Fox from the discounters and the hounds. The reasonfor this sudden onslaught was the birth of a boy to his brother Stephen, who was heir to the title. "When they told Charles of it, " Comyn wrote, "said he, coolly: 'My brother Ste's son is a second Messiah, born for thedestruction of the Jews. '"

I saw no definite signs, as yet, of the conversion of this prodigy, whichI so earnestly hoped for. He had quarrelled with North, lost his placeon the Admiralty, and presently the King had made him a Lord of theTreasury, tho' more out of fear than love. Once in a while, when he sawComyn at Almack's, he would desire to be remembered to me, and he alwaysspoke of me with affection. But he could be got to write to no one, saidmy Lord, with kind exaggeration; nor will he receive letters, for fear hemay get a dun. 

Alas, I got no message from Dorothy! Nor had she ever mentioned my nameto Comyn. He had not seen her for eight months after I left England, asshe had been taken to the Continent for her health. She came back toLondon more ravishing than before, and (I use his Lordship's somewhatextravagant language) her suffering had stamped upon her face even moreof character and power. She had lost much of her levity, likewise. Inshort, my Lord declared, she was more of the queen than ever, and themystery which hung over the Vauxhall duel had served only to add to herfame. 

Dorothy having become cognizant of Mr. Marmaduke's trickery, Charterseaseemed to have dropped out of the race. He now spent his time veryevenly between Spa and Derresley and Paris. Hence I had so much to bethankful for, --that with all my blunders, I had saved her from his Grace. My Lord the Marquis of Wells was now most conspicuous amongst hersuitors. Comyn had nothing particular against this nobleman, saying thathe was a good fellow, with a pretty fortune. And here is a letter, mydears, in which he figures, that I brought to Cordon's Pride that spring:

 "10 SOUTH PARADE, BATH, "March 12, 1774. 

 "DEAR RICHARD:--Miss Manners has come to Bath, with a train behind her longer than that which followed good Queen Anne hither, when she made this Gehenna the fashion. Her triumphal entry last Wednesday was announced by such a peal of the abbey bells as must have cracked the metal (for they have not rung since) and started Beau Nash a-cursing where he lies under the floor. Next came her serenade by the band. Mr. Marmaduke swore they would never have done, and squirmed and grinned like Punch when he thought of the fee, for he had hoped to get off with a crown, I warrant you. You should have seen his face when they would accept no fee at all for the beauty! Some wag has writ a verse about it, which was printed, and has set the whole pump-room laughing this morning. 

 "She was led out by Wells in the Seasons last night. As Spring she is too bewildering for my pen, --all primrose and white, with the flowers in her blue-black hair. Had Sir Joshua seen her, he would never rest content till he should have another portrait. The Duc de Lauzun, who contrived to get two dances, might give you a description in a more suitable language than English. And there was a prodigious deal of jealousy among the fair ones on the benches, you may be sure, and much jaundiced comment. 

 "Some half dozen of us adorers have a mess at the Bear, and have offered up a prize for the most appropriate toast on the beauty. This is in competition with Mrs. Miller. Have you not heard of her among your tobacco-hills? Horry calls her Mrs. 'Calliope' Miller. At her place near here, Bath Easton Villa, she has set up a Roman vase bedecked with myrtle, and into this we drop our bouts-rimes. Mrs. Calliope has a ball every Thursday, when the victors are crowned. T'other day the theme was 'A Buttered Muffin, ' and her Grace of Northumberland was graciously awarded the prize. In faith, that theme taxed our wits at the Bear, --how to weave Miss Dolly's charms into a verse on a buttered muffin. I shall not tire you with mine. Storer's deserved to win, and we whisper that Mrs. Calliope ruled it out through spite. 'When Phyllis eats, ' so it began, and I vow 'twas devilish ingenious. 

 "We do nothing but play lasquenet and tennis, and go to the assembly, and follow Miss Dolly into Gill's, the pastry-cook's, where she goes every morning to take a jelly. The ubiquitous Wells does not give us much chance. He writes 'vers de societe' with the rest, is high in Mr. Marmaduke's favour, which alone is enough to damn his progress. I think she is ill of the sight of him. 

 "Albeit she does not mourn herself into a tree, I'll take oath your Phyllis is true to you, Richard, and would live with you gladly in a thatched hut and you asked her. Write me more news of yourself. 

 "Your ever affectionate "COMYN

 "P. S. I have had news of you through Mr. Worthington, of your colony, who is just arrived here. He tells me that you have gained a vast reputation for your plantation, and likewise that you are thought much of by the Whig wiseacres, and that you hold many seditious offices. He does not call them so. Since your modesty will not permit you to write me any of these things, I have been imagining you driving slaves with a rawhide, and seeding runaway convicts to the mines. Mr. W. Is even now paying his respects to Miss Manners, and I doubt not trumpeting your praises there, for he seems to like you. So I have asked him to join the Bear mess. One more unfortunate!

 "P. S. I was near forgetting the news about Charles Fox. He sends you his love, and tells me to let you know that he has been turned out of North's house for good and all. He is sure you will be cursed happy over it, and says that you predicted he would go over to the Whigs. I can scarce believe that he will. North took a whole week to screw up His courage, h-s M-j-sty pricking him every day. And then he wrote this:

 "'Sir, his Majesty has thought proper to order a new Commission of the Treasury to be made out, in which I do not see your name. ' Poor Charles! He is now without money or place, but as usual appears to worry least of all of us, and still reads his damned Tasso for amusement. "C. "

Perchance he was to be the Saint Paul of English politics, after all. 

CHAPTER XLIX

LIBERTY LOSES A FRIEND

Mr. Bordley's sloop took Mr. Swain to Gordon's Pride in May, and placedhim in the big room overlooking the widening river. There he would lieall day long, staring through the leaves at the water, or listening tothe sweet music of his daughter's voice as she read from the pompousprints of the time. Gentlemen continued to come to the plantation, for the barrister's wisdom was sorely missed at the councils. One day, as I rode in from the field, I found Colonel Lloyd just arrived fromPhiladelphia, sipping sangaree on the lawn and mopping himself with hishandkerchief. His jolly face was troubled. He waved his hand at me. 

"Well, Richard, " says he, "we children are to have our first whipping. At least one of us. And the rest are resolved to defy our parent. "

"Boston, Mr. Lloyd?" I asked. 

"Yes, Boston, " he replied; "her port is closed, and we are forbid anyintercourse with her until she comes to her senses. And her citizensmust receive his gracious Majesty's troopers into their houses. And ifa man kill one of them by any chance, he is to go to England to be tried. And there is more quite as bad. "

"'Tis bad enough!" I cried, flinging myself down. And Patty gave me aglass in silence. 

"Ay, but you must hear all, " said he; "our masters are of a mind to dothe thing thoroughly. Canada is given some score of privileges. HerFrench Roman Catholics, whom we fought not long since, are thrown a sop, and those vast territories between the lakes and the Ohio and Mississippiare given to Quebec as a price for her fidelity. And so, if the worstcomes to worst, George's regiments will have a place to land against us. "

Such was the news, and though we were some hundreds of miles fromMassachusetts, we felt their cause as our own. There was no needof the appeal which came by smoking horses from Philadelphia, for theindignation of our people was roused to the highest pitch. Now Mr. Swainhad to take to his bed from the excitement. 

This is not a history, my dears, as I have said. And time is growingshort. I shall pass over that dreary summer of '74. It required no verykeen eye to see the breakers ahead, and Mr. Bordley's advice to provideagainst seven years of famine did not go unheeded. War was the lastthing we desired. We should have been satisfied with so little, wecolonies! And would have voted the duties ten times over had our rightsbeen respected. Should any of you doubt this, you have but to read the"Address to the King" of our Congress, then sitting in Philadelphia. Thequarrel was so petty, and so easy of mending, that you of this generationmay wonder why it was allowed to run. I have tried to tell you that thehead of a stubborn, selfish, and wilful monarch blocked the way toreconciliation. King George the Third is alone to blame for that hatredof race against race which already hath done so much evil. And I prayGod that a great historian may arise whose pen will reveal the truth, and reconcile at length those who are, and should be, brothers. 

By October, that most beautiful month of all the year in Maryland, wewere again in Annapolis: One balmy day 'twas a Friday, I believe, and agold and blue haze hung over the Severn--Mr. Chase called in GloucesterStreet to give the barrister news of the Congress, which he had latelyleft. As he came down the stairs he paused for a word with me in thelibrary, and remarked sadly upon Mr. Swain's condition. "He looks likea dying man, Richard, " said he, "and we can ill afford to lose him. "

Even as we sat talking in subdued tones, the noise of a distant commotionarose. We had scarce started to our feet, Mr. Chase and I, when thebrass knocker resounded, and Mr. Hammond was let in. His wig was awry, and his face was flushed. 

"I thought to find you here, " he said to Mr. Chase. "The Anne ArundelCommittee is to meet at once, and we desire to have you with us. "Perceiving our blank faces, he added: "The 'Peggy Stewart' is in thismorning with over a ton of tea aboard, consigned to the Williams's. "

The two jumped into a chaise, and I followed afoot, stopped at everycorner by some excited acquaintance; so that I had the whole story, andmore, ere I reached Church Street. The way was blocked before thecommittee rooms, and 'twas said that the merchants, Messrs. Williams, and Captain Jackson of the brig, were within, pleading their cause. 

Presently the news leaked abroad that Mr. Anthony Stewart, the brig'sowner, had himself paid the duty on the detested plant. Some hundredsof people were elbowing each other in the street, for the most part quietand anxious, until Mr. Hammond appeared and whispered to a man at thedoor. In all my life before I had never heard the hum of an angry crowd. The sound had something ominous in it, like the first meanings of a windthat is to break off great trees at their trunks. Then some one shouted:"To Hanover Street! To Hanover Street! We'll have him tarred andfeathered before the sun is down!" The voice sounded strangely likeWeld's. They charged at this cry like a herd of mad buffalo, the weakerones trampled under foot or thrust against the wall. The windows of Mr. Aikman's shop were shattered. I ran with the leaders, my stature andstrength standing me in good stead more than once, and as we twisted intoNorthwest Street I took a glance at the mob behind me, and great was myanxiety at not being able to descry one responsible person. 

Mr. Stewart's house stood, and stands to-day, amid trim gardens, in plainsight of the Severn. Arriving there, the crowd massed in front of it, some of the boldest pressing in at the gate and spreading over the circleof lawn enclosed by the driveway. They began to shout hoarsely, withwhat voices they had left, for Mr. Stewart to come out, calling him namesnot to be spoken, and swearing they would show him how traitors were tobe served. I understood then the terror of numbers, and shuddered. Achandler, a bold and violent man, whose leather was covered with grease, already had his foot on the steps, when the frightened servants slammedthe door in his face, and closed the lower windows. In vain I strainedmy eyes for some one who might have authority with them. They began topick up stones, though none were thrown. 

Suddenly a figure appeared at an upper window, --a thin and wasted womandressed in white, with sad, sweet features. It was Mrs. Stewart. Without flinching she looked down upon the upturned faces; but a mob ofthat kind has no pity. Their leaders were the worst class in ourprovince, being mostly convicts who had served their terms of indenture. They continued to call sullenly for "the traitor. " Then the house dooropened, and the master himself appeared. He was pale and nervous, andno wonder; and his voice shook as he strove to make himself heard. Hiswords were drowned immediately by shouts of "Seize him! Seize the d--dtraitor!" "A pot and a coat of hot tar!"

Those who were nearest started forward, and I with them. With me 'twasthe decision of an instant. I beat the chandler up the steps, and tookstand in front of the merchant, and I called out to them to fall back. 

To my astonishment they halted. The skirts of the crowd were now come tothe foot of the little porch. I faced them with my hand on Mr. Stewart'sarm, without a thought of what to do next, and expecting violence. Therewas a second's hush. Then some one cried out:

"Three cheers for Richard Carvel!"

They gave them with a will that dumfounded me. 

"My friends, " said I, when I had got my wits, "this is neither thejustice nor the moderation for which our province is noted. You haveelected your committee of your free wills, and they have claims beforeyou. "

"Ay, ay, the committee!" they shouted. "Mr. Carvel is right. Take himto the Committee!"

Mr. Stewart raised his hand. 

"My friends, " he began, as I had done, "when you have learned thetruth, you will not be so hasty to blame me for an offence of which I aminnocent. The tea was not for me. The brig was in a leaky and dangerousstate and had fifty souls aboard her. I paid the duty out of humanity--"

He had come so far, when they stopped him. 

"Oh, a vile Tory!" they shouted. "He is conniving with the Council. 'Twas put up between them. " And they followed this with another volleyof hard names, until I feared that his chance was gone. 

"You would best go before the Committee, Mr. Stewart, " I said. 

"I will go with Mr. Carvel, my friends, " he cried at once. And heinvited me into the house whilst he ordered his coach. I preferred toremain outside. 

I asked them if they would trust me with Mr. Stewart to Church Street. 

"Yes, yes, Mr. Carvel, we know you, " said several. "He has good cause tohate Tories, " called another, with a laugh. I knew the voice. 

"For shame, Weld, " I cried. And I saw McNeir, who was a stanch friend ofmine, give him a cuff to send him spinning. 

To my vast satisfaction they melted away, save only a few of the idlestspirits, who hung about the gate, and cheered as we drove off. Mr. Stewart was very nervous, and profuse in his gratitude. I replied thatI had acted only as would have any other responsible citizen. On the wayhe told me enough of his case to convince me that there was much to besaid on his side, but I thought it the better part of wisdom not tocommit myself. The street in front of the committee rooms was empty, andI was informed that a town meeting had been called immediately at thetheatre in West Street. And I advised Mr. Stewart to attend. Butthrough anxiety or anger, or both, he was determined not to go, and droveback to his house without me. 

I had got as far as St. Anne's, halfway to the theatre, when it suddenlystruck me that Mr. Swain must be waiting for news. With a twinge Iremembered what Mr. Chase had said about the barrister's condition, and Ihurried back to Gloucester Street, much to the surprise of those I met ontheir way to the meeting. I was greatly relieved, when I arrived, tofind Patty on the porch. I knew she had never been there were her fatherworse. After a word with her and her mother, I went up the stairs. 

It was the hour for the barrister's nap. But he was awake, lying backon the pillows, with his eyes half closed. He was looking out into thegarden, which was part orchard, now beginning to shrivel and to brownwith the first touch of frosts. 

"That is you, Richard?" he inquired, without moving. "What is goingforward to-day?"

I toned down the news, so as not to excite him, and left out theoccurrence in Hanover Street. He listened with his accustomed interest, but when I had done he asked no questions, and lay for a long timesilent. Then he begged me to bring my chair nearer. 

"Richard, --my son, " said he, with an evident effort, "I have neverthanked you for your devotion to me and mine through the best years ofyour life. It shall not go unrewarded, my lad. "

It seemed as if my heart stood still with the presage of what was tocome. 

"May God reward you, sir!" I said. 

"I have wished to speak to you, " he continued, "and I may not haveanother chance. I have arranged with Mr. Carroll, the barrister, to takeyour cause against your uncle, so that you will lose nothing when I amgone. And you will see, in my table in the library, that I have left myproperty in your hands, with every confidence in your integrity, andability to care for my family, even as I should have done. "

I could not speak at once. A lump rose in my throat, for I had come tolook upon him as a father. His honest dealings, his charity, of whichthe world knew nothing, and his plain and unassuming ways had inspiredin me a kind of worship. I answered, as steadily as I might:

"I believe I am too inexperienced for such a responsibility, Mr. Swain. Would it not be better that Mr. Bordley or Mr. Lloyd should act?"

"No, no, " he said; "I am not a man to do things unadvisedly, or to letaffection get the better of my judgment, where others dear to me areconcerned. I know you, Richard Carvel. Scarce an action of yours hasescaped my eye, though I have said nothing. You have been through thefire, and are of the kind which comes out untouched. You will have JudgeBordley's advice, and Mr. Carroll's. And they are too busy with theaffairs of the province to be burdened as my executors. But, " he added alittle more strongly, "if what I fear is coming, Mr. Bordley will takethe trust in your absence. If we have war, Richard, you will not becontent to remain at home, nor would I wish it. "

I did not reply. 

"You will do what I ask?" he said. 

"I would refuse you nothing, Mr. Swain, " I answered. "But I have heavymisgivings. "

He sighed. "And now, if it were not for Tom, I might die content, " hesaid. 

If it were not for Tom! The full burden of the trust began to dawn uponme then. Presently I heard him speaking, but in so low a voice that Ihardly caught the words. 

"In our youth, Richard, " he was saying, "the wrath of the Almighty isbut so many words to most of us. When I was little more than a lad, Icommitted a sin of which I tremble now to think. And I was the fool toimagine, when I amended my life, that God had forgotten. His punishmentis no heavier than I deserve. But He alone knows what He has made mesuffer. "

I felt that I had no right to be there. 

"That is why I have paid Tom's debts, " he continued; "I cannot cast offmy son. I have reasoned, implored, and appealed in vain. He is likeReuben, --his resolutions melt in an hour. And I have pondered day andnight what is to be done for him. "

"Is he to have his portion?" I asked. Indeed, the thought of theresponsibility of Tom Swain overwhelmed me. 

"Yes, he is to have it, " cried Mr. Swain, with a violence to bring on afit of coughing. "Were I to leave it in trust for a time, he would haveit mortgaged within a year. He is to have his portion, but not a pennyadditional. "

He lay for a long time breathing deeply, I watching him. Then, as hereached out and took my hand, I knew by some instinct what was to come. I summoned all my self-command to meet his eye. I knew that themalicious and unthinking gossip of the town had reached him, andthat he had received it in the simple faith of his hopes. 

"One thing more, my lad, " he said, "the dearest wish of all--that youwill marry Patty. She is a good girl, Richard. And I have thought, "he added with hesitation, "I have thought that she loves you, though herlips have never opened on that subject. "

So the blow fell. I turned away, for to save my life the words would notcome. He missed the reason of my silence. 

"I understand and honour your scruples, " he went on. His kindness waslike a knife. 

"No, I have had none, Mr. Swain, " I exclaimed. For I would not bethought a hypocrite. 

There I stopped. A light step sounded in the hall, and Patty came inupon us. Her colour at once betrayed her understanding. To my infiniterelief her father dropped my fingers, and asked cheerily if there was anynews from the town meeting. 

On the following Wednesday, with her flag flying and her sails set, thePeggy Stewart was run ashore on Windmill Point. She rose, a sacrifice toLiberty, in smoke to heaven, before the assembled patriots of our city. 

That very night a dear friend to Liberty passed away. He failed sosuddenly that Patty had no time to call for aid, and when the mother hadbeen carried in, his spirit was flown. We laid him high on the hillabove the creek, in the new lot he had bought and fenced around. Thestone remains:

 HERE LIETH

 HENRY SWAIN, BARRISTER. BORN MAY 13, 1730 (O. S. ); DIED OCTOBER 19, 1774. Fidus Amicis atque Patrice. 

The simple inscription, which speaks volumes to those who knew him, wascut after the Revolution. He was buried with the honours of a statesman, which he would have been had God spared him to serve the New Countrywhich was born so soon after his death.