“Does she, indeed, the dear child? I had not expected such a thing,” exclaimed the old man. “That is, if you have no objection, sir.” “Objection! why I am delighted!” “I am glad you like the plan.” “Like it? why I have never in my life been more pleased or more surprised! I shall make Master Leonard Lyon a very handsome christening present!” “That’s a darling grandpa! But listen. Don’t say a word to Drusilla about the present, beforehand. She is no more mercenary for her child than she is for herself, and she is the most sensitive person I ever met with in my life.” “All right, Anna! I shall say nothing of the present. But you, my little housekeeper, you must see that a proper christening feast is prepared to do honor to our boy.” “You may safely leave that to me, sir.” The next morning was cold, dark and stormy. Drusilla was forbidden by her nurse to go down-stairs, and so she had her breakfast up in her own room. When the service was cleared away, and she was seated before the fire, with the babe in her arms, General Lyon entered the room. She arose with a countenance beaming with welcome, and was about to lay her babe down, that she might set a chair for her visitor, when he pleasantly signed to her to resume her seat, and he brought one to the fire for himself. “Anna tells me, my dear, that you design me the honor of naming your fine boy after me,” he said, seating himself. “If you will please to permit me to do so, sir, the honor will be mine, and will make me happy,” said Drusilla, blushing deeply. “My child, I cannot express how much I thank you! how gratified and pleased I feel.” Drusilla looked down, quite overpowered by the fervency of these acknowledgments, on the part of the old hero. “You must know, my dear,” he continued, “I have always secretly longed for another Leonard Lyon to represent me, when I shall be gone; but scarcely had a hope to see one during my life. Leonard Lyon is a very ancient family name with us, and has been kept up in every generation, except the last. It failed there, because I had never been blessed with a son; and my brother had but one, and he was named after the family of his mother, who was a Miss Alexander. Thus, you see, the ancient name, Leonard Lyon, would have become extinct in me, had you not determined to revive and perpetuate it in your son. Heaven bless you for the kind thought, my dear, for it has made me very happy,” said the old gentleman, earnestly. “I fervently thank Heaven, sir, for giving me the power of pleasing you in this matter,” murmured the blushing young mother, in a low and tremulous voice. “And this I will say, my child, that the name your boy will bear, has never, in the thousand years of its existence, been sullied by a shadow of dishonor.” “I know it has been borne by heroes and sages, and by none others. I hope and pray that my boy will prove worthy of his noble ancestry,” fervently breathed Drusilla.