There could be no mistaking to which belonged the personage to whom he addressed his speech. Of the Cavalier class sure, as the effect it produced upon him would have told of itself. But the style of his dress, air, bearing, everything proclaimed him one. A youth not yet turned twenty, in garb of silken sheen; coat and trunks of rich yellow satin, Cordovan leather boots, with a wide fringe of lace around the tops; spurs gilt or of gold, and a beaver over which waved a _panache_ of ostrich feathers, upheld in a jewelled clasp. His sword belt of silk velvet was elaborately embroidered, the needlework looking as though it came from the fingers of a lady who had worked with a will and _con amore_; the gauntlets of his white gloves ornamented in a similar fashion by the same. Handsome he, too, but of manly beauty, quite differing from that of the other, even to contrast. With a bright, radiant complexion, and blonde hair falling in curls over his cheeks, yet unbearded, his features were of the type termed aristocratic; such as Endymion possessed, and Phidias would have been delighted to secure for a model. Habitually and openly wearing a gentle expression, there was, at the same time, one more latent, which bespoke intellectual strength and courage of no common kind. Passionate anger, too, when occasion called for it, seeming to say, "Don't put upon me too much, or you'll find your mistake." Just such a cast came over them as he listened to what the other said; a declaration like defiance, flung in his teeth. Although meant as the clincher of a political argument which had been for some time going on between them, the young Cavalier, taken aback by its boldness, and doubtful of having heard aright, turned sharply upon the other, asking,-- "What's that you said, sir?" "That the man who is not a Republican must either have a bad head or a bad heart." This time more emphatically, as though nettled by the tone of the other's interrogative. "Indeed!" exclaimed the youth reining up, for they were riding along a road. "Indeed, yes," returned the older man, also drawing bridle. "Or if you prefer it in another form, he who is not a Republican must be either a knave or a fool." "You're a knave to say so!" cried the silken youth, whose rising wrath had now gathered to a head, his hand as he spoke crossing to the hilt of his sword. "Well, youngster," rejoined the other, seeming, on the contrary, to become calmer, and speaking with a composure strange under the circumstances, "that's speech plain enough, and rude enough. It almost tempts me to retort by calling you a fool. But I won't; only, if you value your life you must withdraw your words." "Not one of them! Never, so long as I wear a sword. You shall eat yours first?" and he whipped out his rapier.