He fell to playing again, a quiet, plaintive air.  When it was ended, he rose and went over to the fire to keep his guest company; but finding him in a mood for silence, presently fell silent himself, and took to viewing structures of his own building in the red hollows between the logs.  This mutual taciturnity lasted until the announcement of supper, and was relapsed into at intervals during the meal; but when they had returned to the drawing-room the two talked until it was late, and the fire had sunken to ash and embers.  Before they parted for the night it was agreed that the master of Westover should remain with the master of Fair View for a day or so, at the end of which time the latter gentleman would accompany the former to Westover for a visit of indefinite length.

CHAPTER XVI

AUDREY AND EVELYN

Hugon went a-trading to the Southern Indians, but had lately returned to his lair at the crossroads ordinary, when, upon a sunny September morning, Audrey and Mistress Deborah, mounted upon the sorriest of Darden’s sorry steeds, turned from Duke of Gloucester into Palace Street.  They had parted with the minister before his favorite ordinary, and were on their way to the house where they themselves were to lodge during the three days of town life which Darden had vouchsafed to offer them.

For a month or more Virginia had been wearing black ribbons for the King, who died in June, but in the last day or so there had been a reversion to bright colors.  This cheerful change had been wrought by the arrival in the York of the Fortune of Bristol, with the new governor on board.  His Excellency had landed at Yorktown, and, after suitable entertainment at the hands of its citizens, had proceeded under escort to Williamsburgh.  The entry into the town was triumphal, and when, at the doorway of his Palace, the Governor turned, and addressed a pleasing oration to the people whom he was to rule in the name of the King and my Lord of Orkney, enthusiasm reached its height.  At night the town was illuminated, and well-nigh all its ladies and gentlemen visited the Palace, in order to pay their duty to its latest occupant.  It was a pleasure-loving people, and the arrival of a governor an occasion of which the most must be made.  Gentlemen of consideration had come in from every county, bringing with them wives and daughters.  In the mild, sunshiny weather the crowded town overflowed into square and street and garden.  Everywhere were bustle and gayety,—­gayety none the less for the presence of thirty or more ministers of the Established Church.  For Mr. Commissary Blair had convoked a meeting of the clergy for the consideration of evils affecting that body,—­not, alas! from without alone.  The Governor, arriving so opportunely, must, too, be addressed upon the usual subjects of presentation, induction, and all-powerful vestries.  It was fitting, also, that the college