Produced by Annie R. McGuire [Illustration: HARPER'S ROUND TABLE] Copyright, 1896, by HARPER & BROTHERS. All Rights Reserved. * * * * * PUBLISHED WEEKLY. NEW YORK, TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 1896. FIVE CENTS A COPY. VOL. XVII.--NO. 869. TWO DOLLARS A YEAR. * * * * * [Illustration] A VIRGINIA CAVALIER. BY MOLLY ELLIOT SEAWELL. CHAPTER II. The full flood of the sun, now low in the heavens, poured through the western windows upon the figure of the boy standing in the doorway. The room was beginning to darken, and the ruddy firelight, too, fell glowingly upon him. The Earl was instantly roused, and could scarcely persuade himself that the boy before him was only fifteen; seventeen, or even eighteen, would have seemed nearer the mark, so tall and well-developed was he. Like all creatures of the highest breeding, George looked handsomer the handsomer his dress; and although his costume was really simple enough, he had the splendid air that made him always appear to be in the highest fashion. His coat and knee-breeches were of dark blue cloth, spun, woven, and dyed at home. His waistcoat, however, was of white brocade, and was made of his mother's wedding-gown, Madam Washington having indulged her pride so far as to lay this treasured garment aside for waistcoats for her sons, while Mistress Betty was to inherit the lace veil and the string of pearls which had gone with the gown. George's shoebuckles and knee-buckles were much finer than the Earl's, being of paste, and having been once worn by his father. His blond hair was made into a club and tied with a black ribbon, while under his arm he carried a smart three-cornered hat--for the hat made a great figure in the ceremonious bows of the period. His dog; a beautiful creature, stood beside him. Never in all his life had the Earl of Fairfax seen so noble a boy. The sight of him smote the older man's heart; it flashed through him how easy it would be to exchange all his honors and titles for such a son. He rose and saluted him, as Madam Washington said, in a tone that had pride in every accent, "My lord, this is my son, Mr. Washington." George responded with one of those graceful inclinations which, years after, made the entrance of Colonel Washington at the Earl of Dunmore's levee at Williamsburg a lesson in grace and good-breeding. Being "Mr. Washington" and the head of the house, it became his duty to speak first: "I am most happy to welcome you, my lord, to our home." "And I am most happy," said the Earl, "to meet once more my old friend Madam Washington, and the goodly sons and sweet daughter with which she has been blessed." "My mother has often told us of you, sir, in speaking of her life during the years she spent in England."