“Nay, I find no interdiction therein, but manifold cause in the reason of the thing itself for the suppressing of a vain custom.  Thus do I argue:  Every empty and ineffectual representation of serious things is a way of vanity.  But this custom is such; for it is intended to hold forth love and wishes of health, which are serious things, by drinking, which neither in the nature nor use it is able to effect, for it is looked at as a mere compliment, and is not taken as an argument of love, which ought to be unfeigned.  Or the same proposition may be proved diversely, as thus:  To employ the custom, out of its natural use, without warrant of authority, necessity or conveniency, is a way of vanity.  But this custom doth.  Or, again; such a resolution as frees a man from frequent and needless temptations, to dissemble love, et cetera, (quatenus it doth so,) is a wholesome resolution.  But this resolution doth. Ergo, Sir Christopher, pray have me (with protestation of no discourtesy) excused.”

“Although your scruples appear strange, yet will I respect them, my honored host, as it becomes me to, any opinion entertained by you,” replied the knight; “but if the tongue be tied, the spirit, at least, is free to indulge in wishes for your welfare.”

So saying, he raised the goblet to his lips, and drained it of its contents.  Nor did the Governor, though refusing to join in the idle custom of drinking healths, which, by his influence, had been pretty generally banished from the tables of the principal inhabitants, decline a draught, therein bearing in mind the advice of Paul to Timothy, and considering it an allowable solace and strengthener to enable him the better to bear the cares of state.  Upon the conclusion of the interview, the knight courteously took leave, after thanking the Governor for his promise in behalf of the imprisoned soldier, and, mounting his horse, returned the way he came.

When he was gone, Winthrop fell into a fit of musing.

“What am I to think of this man?” (such was the tenor of his reflections.) “Is he what he appears?  Doth the garniture of his spirit conform to the polished and attractive surface?  Is he, as sometimes from his language might be surmised, one who, though young in years, is old in experience, and hath already discovered how unsatisfactory are the vanities of the world?  There be such men in these strange days.  And yet, how wonderfully hath he preserved his cheerfulness, and though chastened, is not cast down!  That he hath been a cavalier, I plainly see, and he doth admit; that he is fit at present to be one of us, I doubt; that he will be, I hope.  The jealous Dudley, the suspicious Endicott, and the subtle Spikeman, are disposed to regard him as one who, under the mask of an angel of light, doth conceal dangerous designs; as a plotter of mischief; some cunning tool of our enemies, who have sent him hither to creep into our confidence, that he may the