The Virginians

much more magnificent dress than she was accustomed to wear. Indeed, she wished to do every honour to her guest, and to make the entertainment-which, in reality, was a sad

es to the well-known quarters. No young gentleman in the colon

ntment as aide-de-camp to General Braddock, and to speak of her son's approaching departure. The negro servants bearing the dishes for the approaching feast were passing perpetually as they talked. They

nder-in-Chief! Mr. Washington said, a more shrewd and sensible gentleman never rode in coach or walked on foot. Mrs. Esmond thought the Major was too liberall

he will not be with tradesmen, but with gentlemen, with gentlemen o

recisely such as would tend to instruct or edify a young man on his entrance into life; but he wisely chose to tell no tales out of school, a

faltered the widow; "with gentlemen who have been bred in the mi

He did not choose to allow his countenanc

sted in you. You will take care of my boy, sir, will not you? You are but five years older, yet I trust to you

Colonel Esmond's favour. Madam, how much w

s so much of his to her children." And so saying she gave him her hand, which he kissed with profound politeness. The little lady presently re-entered her mansion, leaning upon the tall young officer's arm. Here they were joined by George, who came to them, accurately

art of his countenance, whilst watchfulness and wrath glared out from the two upper windows. What had been said or done? Nothing that might not have been performed or uttered b

No," says George, curtly. "Have you?" And then he looked

not a jocular man ordinarily, the Colonel made a long description of Mr. Braddock's heavy person and great boots, as he floundered through the Virginian woods, hunting, as they called it, with a pack of dogs gathered from various houses, with a pack of negroes barking as loud as

neat little laugh, whilst her son listened to the story, looking more glum than ever.

Robert Walpole, who lived in that county, and of the great hunts the old Minister kept there, and of his grand palace, and his pictures at Houg

port here, as I was saying," s

ries the other,

country-side? Are there not all the fish of the field, and the beasts of the trees, and the fowls of the sea-no-the fish of the trees, and the beasts of the sea-and the

shington, with a look of

ese pretty apron-strings, Colonel! Who would not like to be tied to them? See of what a

gentleman?" said the Colonel, as the

would resurge, as he promises to do on his tombston

-in just such another suit, gold-corded frock, braided waistcoat, silver-hilted sword, and solitaire, as

rry, taking her in his arms.

zle me to say," answered th

s, which I think vastly becoming to our

urself?" cried the Colonel, bustling

uch for himself,

almost as much wonder at the paternal tears. What have I uttered? An allusion to ribbons! Is there some poisoned pin in them, which has been struck into my mother's

sked Harry, who loved his mother, who loved Mr. Washington, bu

he ear. By nature you were made for a man-a man of war-I do not mean a seventy-four, Colonel George, like that hulk which brought the hulking Mr. Braddoc

at that great Maryland man was t

ull a trigger, no, nor a nose, nor anything but a rose," and here he took and handled one of Madam Esmond's bright pink apron ribbons. "I hate sporting, which you and the Colone

had taken a modest draught from the great china bowl of apple-toddy which stood to welcome the guests in th

ing a hand to each of her sons. George put his disengaged hand on Har

gs, Don Enrico,"

cleverer than me, why shouldst thou not stop at home and be quiet, and let me go out with Colo

haired to the fair-haired boy. She knew

ur oblige, and my name being number one,

so," said

ther at home? We cannot afford to be both

hould like to see them fricasseed by the French!-What a mortal thrashing you will g

ronton, mironton, mirontaine," at the sound of which music the gentleman from the balcony

r in earnest," said the simple gentleman,

e's condition could set himself to such an effeminate business. Then the Colonel took out his watch, saying that his Excellency's coach would be

tty well," said George, from the harpsichord, loo

d by the enraged and bewildered Colonel, as George continued crashing among the keys. Her high-spirited guest felt

?" he asked his brother. "Why shouldn't he kiss her hand?" (George had just before fetched out his brot

ness?" and he showed his junior the unlucky paper over which he had been brooding for some

know, dear brother, have ever been considered a sober person. All children are better for a

shrieked out George, clenching h

ige me to postpone this matter until after the campaign. When we have given the Fre

" George cries again, shaking his fist at

esent my dear brother to his new sister-in-law. She has a pr

hildren, and has every desire to be comforted. Now, Harry! Let us upstairs at once,