flash of revelation, came the thought that Grafton himself was at the back of this deception of my grandfather, as to my principles.  Fool that I was, it had never occurred to me before.  But how was he to gain by it?  Did he hope that Mr. Carvel, in a fit of anger, would disinherit me when he found I had deceived him?  Yes.  And so had left the matter in abeyance near these two years, that the shock might be the greater when it came.  I recalled now, with a shudder, that never since the spring of my grandfather’s illness had my uncle questioned me upon my politics.  I was seized with a fit of fury.  I suspected that Mr. Allen would be at the Coffee House after the assembly.  And I determined to seize the chance at once and have it out with him then and there.

The inn was ablaze, but as yet deserted; Mr. Claude expectant.  He bowed me from my chariot door, and would know what took me from the ball.  I threw him some short answer, bade Harvey go home, saying that I would have some fellow light me to Marlboro’ Street when I thought proper.  And coming into the long room I flung aside my greatcoat and commanded a flask of Mr. Stephen Bordley’s old sherry, some of which Mr. Claude had obtained at that bachelor’s demise.

The wine was scarce opened before I heard some sort of stir at the front, and two servants in a riding livery of scarlet and white hurried in to seek Mr. Claude.  The sight of them sufficed mine host, for he went out as fast as his legs would go, giving the bell a sharp pull as he passed the door; and presently I heard him complimenting two gentlemen into the house.  The voice of one I knew,—­being no other than Captain Clapsaddle’s; and him I had not seen for the past six months.  I was just risen to my feet when they came in at the door beside me.

“Richard!” cried the captain, and grasped my hand in both his own.  I returned his pressure, too much pleased to speak.  Then his eye was caught by my finery.

“So ho!” says he, shaking his head at me for a sad rogue.  “Wine and women and fine clothes, and not nineteen, or I mistake me.  It was so with Captain Jack, who blossomed in a week; and few could vie with him, I warrant you, after he made his decision.  But bless me!” he went on, drawing back, “the lad looks mature, and a fair two inches broader than last spring.  But why are you not at the assembly, Richard?”

“I have but now come from there, sir,” I replied, not caring in the presence of a stranger to enter into reasons.

At my answer the captain turned from me to the gentleman behind him, who had been regarding us both as we talked.  There are some few men in the world, I thank God for it, who bear their value on their countenance; who stand unmistakably for qualities which command respect and admiration and love!  We seem to recognize such men, and to wonder where we have seen them before.  In reality we recognize the virtues they represent.  So it was with him I saw in front of me, and by his air and carriage I marked him then and there as a man born to great things.  You all know his face, my dears, and I pray God it may live in the sight of those who come after you, for generation upon generation!