“Which is not a coin to satisfy a creditor, my Lord,” said the caustic Myndert.

“Therein has truth been, pithily, spoken.  This is an ill-judged step, Alderman Van Beverout, that lets a gentleman out by night, like the ghost in Hamlet, to flee into the narrow house with the crowing of the cock.  The ear of my royal cousin hath been poisoned, worse than was the ear of ‘murdered Denmark,’ or the partisans of this Mister Hunter would have little cause to triumph.”

“Is it not possible to give such pledges to those who have turned the key, as will enable your lordship to apply the antidote.”

The question stuck a chord that changed the whole manner of the other.  His air, which had borne the character of a genteel trifler, became more grave and dignified; and notwithstanding there was the evidence of a reckless disposition in his features, dress and carriage, his tall and not ungraceful form, as he walked slowly onward, by the side of the compact Alderman, was not without much of that insinuating ease and blandishment, which long familiarity with good company can give even to the lowest moral worth.

“Your question, worthy Sir, manifests great goodness of heart, and corroborates that reputation for generosity, the world so freely gives.  It is true that the Queen has been persuaded to sign the mandate of my recall, and it is certain that Mr. Hunter has the government of the colony; but these are facts that might be reversed, were I once in a position to approach my kinswoman.  I do not disclaim certain indiscretions, Sir; it would ill become me to deny them, in presence of one whose virtue is as severe as that of Alderman Van Beverout.  I have my failings; perhaps, as you have just been pleased to intimate, it would have been better had my motto been frugality; but the open hand, dear Sir, is a part of the design you will not deny me, either.  If I have weaknesses, my enemies cannot refuse to say that I never yet deserted a friend.”

“Not having had occasion to tax your friendship, I shall not be the first to make the charge.

“Your impartiality has come to be a proverb!  ’As honest as Alderman Van Beverout;’ ‘as generous as Alderman Van Beverout,’ are terms in each man’s mouth; some say ‘as rich;’ (the small blue eye of the burgher twinkled.) But honesty, and riches, and generosity, are of little value, without influence.  Men should have their natural consideration in society.  Now is this colony rather Dutch than English, and yet, you see, how few names are found in the list of the Council, that have been known in the province half a century!  Here are your Alexanders and Heathcotes, your Morris’s and Kennedies, de Lanceys and Livingstons, filling the Council and the legislative halls; but we find few of the Van Rensselaers, Van Courtlandts, Van Schuylers, Stuyvesants, Van Beekmans, and Van Beverouts, in their natural stations.  All nations and religions have precedency, in the royal favor, over the children of the Patriarchs.  The Bohemian Felipses; the Huguenot de Lanceys, and Bayards, and Jays; the King-hating Morrises and Ludlows—­in short, all have greater estimation in the eyes of government, than the most ancient Patroon!”