“You are the most unconscionable liar I ever knew!” shouted George, in a passion, suddenly appearing behind Billy; “and if ever I hear of your talking about what will happen at Mount Vernon, or even daring to say that it may be mine, I will make you sorry for it, as I am alive.” George was in such a rage that he picked up a hair-brush off the chest of drawers, and shied it at Billy, who dodged, and the brush went to smash on the brick hearth. At this the unregenerate Billy burst into a subdued guffaw, and, looking into George’s angry eyes, chuckled: “Hi, Marse George, you done bus’ yo’ ma’s h’yar-bresh!” Which showed how much impression “Marse George’s” wrath made on Billy. CHAPTER XVI Christmas at Mount Vernon, although it could never again be the gay season it had been, was yet cheerful. The presence of Lord Fairfax and George, of Madam Washington and Betty, revived the spirits of the master and mistress. William Fairfax, now a handsome young man of eighteen, and the same mild, manly, good-natured fellow, was home from Williamsburg for the holidays. George had never been to Williamsburg, where there was a viceregal court, and where everything was conducted upon a scale adapted to a representative of royalty. He was much impressed by William’s description, and the two made many plans for a holiday together, the next winter, in the capital. “And we will attend the governor’s levee--but you must not be too much of a republican, George, for the governor exacts viceregal respect--and the assemblies in the great Apollo Room at the Raleigh Tavern, and the lectures at the college by learned men from England and Scotland. Ah, George, how you will enjoy it!” cried William. Lord Fairfax, hearing the young men talk, felt a desire to revisit Williamsburg, a place where he had spent some happy days, and soon after this conversation, when William had already returned to college, he said, one day: “I think, George, if your brother can spare you towards the spring, I should like to have you visit Williamsburg with me. It is now twelve years since I was there in the administration of my Lord Botetourt. He exacted every mark of respect that would have been paid to the king himself. I well remember his going in state to open the House of Burgesses, as the king opens Parliament. He rode in a gilt coach, given him by the king himself, drawn by eight milk-white horses--a very fine show; but for all their love of finery and display themselves, the Virginians are very jealous of any on the part of their rulers, and many gentlemen who drove coaches-and-four themselves complained bitterly of the governor.” George was charmed at the prospect, and took the first opportunity of broaching the subject to Laurence. “I think it would be very advantageous to you to see something of a viceregal court, and I will see that you have the means to make a good appearance,” was Laurence’s kind reply.