“You have reason to laugh at me; it is very ridiculous, but”—­

“And then to think of the sad change that has befallen you!  To subside from an eagle-feathered Sachem, eating succatash with an Indian Princess, into a tame civilized gentleman, in a swallow-tailed coat, handing apples to a poor little Yankee girl!  I do not wonder you were melancholy and tried to shoot yourself.”

“It was the most fortunate shot I ever made, since”—­

“I am not sure of that.  Perhaps if you had succeeded you might have been transmigrated back into the wigwam, and resumed your addresses to the Princess.”

“Your fancy outstrips mine.  I find it hard, by the side of a real Princess, to think of an imaginary one.”

“Faithless, like all your fickle sex.  Ah me, poor princess!”

Here Mrs. Bernard made a motion to rise, which was followed by the other ladies, and as Anne turned away she said:—­

“You who have set me an example of desertion can not be surprised at my leaving you, which please to consider a punishment for the Princess’ wrongs.”

“And a severe one,” said Pownal.

But a short time elapsed before the ladies were rejoined by the gentlemen in the withdrawing room, where we will leave them to look after some other friends of ours.

Upon the conclusion of his duties, Felix had opportunity to extend the rights of hospitality to General Ransome, who, true to his promise, had not failed to make his appearance in due time in the kitchen.  There the worthy warrior had been received with all customary forms of politeness by Miss Rosa, and, installed in a high-back chair, awaited his share of the entertainment.  And when the time arrived, seated between his friends, and opposite two other servants, there were few, if any, lighter and more careless hearts that day than the General’s.  And of the whole company it may be said, that if they were not refined, they were at least merry.

“Ladies and genlmn,” said the General, soon after the repast had commenced, and seeming to think the toasts could not begin too soon, “do me de satisfacshum to fill you glasses.  Wid you leave I’m going to gib a toast.”

On this day it was customary to extend an unusual degree of license to the servants, and hence there was no lack of generous liquors on the board, of the same descriptions as those drank by their superiors.  And to do them justice, it was seldom the privilege was abused.

The glasses were quickly filled, and the General proposed “de healt’ ob de fair sec.”  This was drunk with acclamation, and a gentleman observed, “dat de whole world acknowledge de superur beauty ob de ’Merican ladies.”  This toast was followed by “De day we celumbrate;” and it was admitted on all sides that Thanksgiving was one of the most important institutions of the country.  Felix, then, looking at his friend gave, “the heroes of the ’Merican Revolution;” whereupon, the old soldier considering it incumbent upon him to return thanks for the array, requested permission to make some remarks.  Of course leave was readily granted, and the orator, gracefully rising and steadying himself on the sound leg, with the other a little drawn back, extended his right hand, and bowing all round began.