“‘What’s all this to-do, gentlemen?’ said I.

“‘I’d have finished that son of a dog,’ says the captain, ’and Colonel Washington had let me.’

“‘What, what!’ said I.  ’How now?  What!  Drive a clergyman from my house gentlemen?’

“‘What’s Richard been at now?’

“Mr. Washington asked me to dress, saying that they had something very particular to speak about; that they would stay to breakfast with me, tho’ they were in haste to be gone to New York.  I made my compliments to the colonel and had them shown to the library fire, and hurried down after them.  Then they told me of this affair last night, and they cleared you, sir.  ‘Faith,’ cried I, ’and I would have fought, too.  The lad was in the right of it, though I would have him a little less hasty.’  D—­n me if I don’t wish you had knocked that sea captain’s teeth into his throat, and his brains with them.  I like your spirit, sir.  A pox on such men as he, who disgrace his Majesty’s name and set better men against him.”

“And they told you nothing else, sir?” I asked, with misgiving.

“That they did.  Mr. Washington repeated the confession you made to them, sir, in a manner that did you credit.  He made me compliments on you, —­said that you were a man, sir, though a trifle hasty:  in the which I agreed.  Yes, d—­n me, a trifle hasty like your father.  I rejoice that you did not kill his Lordship, my son.”

The twilight was beginning; and the old gentleman going back to his chair was set amusing, gazing out across the bare trees and gables falling gray after the sunset.

What amazed me was that he did not seem to be shocked by the revelation near as much as I had feared.  So this matter had brought me happiness where I looked for nothing but sorrow.

“And the gentlemen are gone north, sir?” said I, after a while.

“Yes, Richard, these four hours.  I commanded an early dinner for them, since the colonel was pleased to tarry long enough for a little politics and to spin a glass.  And I profess, was I to live neighbours with such a man, I might come to his way of thinking, despite myself.  Though I say it that shouldn’t, some of his Majesty’s ministers are d—­d rascals.”

I laughed.  As I live, I never hoped to hear such words from my grandfather’s lips.

“He did not seek to convince, like so many of your hotheaded know-it-alls,” said Mr. Carvel; “he leaves a man to convince himself.  He has great parts, Richard, and few can stand before him.”  He paused.  And then his smooth-shaven face became creased in a roguish smile which I had often seen upon it.  “What baggage is this I hear of that you quarrelled over at the assembly?  Ah, Sir, I fear you are become but a sad rake!” says he.

But by great good fortune Dr. Leiden was shown in at this instant.  And the candles being lighted, he examined my neck, haranguing the while in his vile English against the practice of duelling.  He bade me keep my bed for two days, thereby giving me no great pleasure.