“No doubt,” replied the earl, gravely, but inwardly tickled at Sir John’s ineffable impudence. “They would but slightly value the admiration of an ancient recluse like myself, and would prefer my young friends, Mr. Washington and Mr. Fairfax.” Sir John, quite unabashed, now turned to the two young men, who had difficulty in keeping their faces straight when they looked at him. “Really, Mr. Washington, you must get a muff if you wish to be comfortable in this cursed climate. I never knew comfort till I got one in England, on the recommendation of Mr. Horace Walpole, who has the divinest taste in muffs and china I ever saw.” “I am afraid I cannot find one of a size for my hand,” answered George, gravely, holding out a well-shaped but undeniably large hand. After much more talk about Mr. Horace Walpole, the lovely Miss Berrys, and the company of comedians daily expected from London, Sir John took his leave, promising to see them at the governor’s levee next day. As soon as the door closed upon him Lord Fairfax turned to William and said, testily, “I hoped I had left all such popinjays as Sir John Peyton at court in England, but here I find the breed flourishing.” “Sir John is not half so absurd as he looks, sir,” answered William, laughing. “He is as brave as a lion; and when on his last voyage home there was fire in the ship’s cargo, I hear he was the coolest man on board, and by his conceits and quips and jests in the face of danger kept off a panic. And he is honorable and truthful, and he really has much sense.” “Then,” cried the earl, “he does all he can to disguise it!” Their next visitors were Colonel Byrd, of Westover, and Mr. Tyler, marshal of the colony, who ranked next the governor, and Mr. Randolph, Speaker of the House of Burgesses. The earl received these gentlemen with marked respect, placed chairs for them himself, and entered into a long and interesting conversation with them on the state of the colony. Both George and William remained modestly silent, as became young men of their age, and listened attentively. It was agreed among them all that war with the French was practically certain. The colonies were thoroughly aroused, and each of the visitors gave it as his opinion that the colonies were willing to settle the question themselves without aid from the home government. “And when the conflict comes,” remarked Colonel Byrd, turning to the two young men, “it is to young gentlemen such as these that we must look for our safety, because, you may be sure, if the French capture our outposts they will not be satisfied until they overrun our whole lowland country, and they must be checked at the mountains if they are to be checked at all.” “My young friend, Mr. Washington, knows all about matters on the frontier, as he has surveyed my lands across the Alleghanies for two summers, and he is quite as familiar with the temper of the Indians as with the face of the country,” remarked the earl.