Certainly Howard had nothing to complain of in his reception. There was not the slightest lack of respect and kindness, and not the least over-doing of ceremony, which would have been still more offensive. All was natural and genial, as if there had not once existed a strong hostility to Frank Howard, the machinist. I was charmed at the manner with which my dear host and hostess completely overcame their prejudices, or at least suppressed them, and treated Mr. Howard in all respects as an honored and welcome guest, and did this assuredly not in the spirit of hypocrisy, but of hospitality, as they understood its requirements. Soon Rachel Noales and the other young persons of the Christmas party came in, were introduced, seated, and conversation became general and free. This afforded me the coveted opportunity of having a moment's talk aside with my brother. "Johnny! tell me now, and tell me quickly, and truly--was there any design on you or your friend's part to get him invited here?" "Design! bless you, no!" replied my brother, opening wide his great gray eyes. "I thought not; for, if the truth must be told, honest Johnny was anything but a diplomat." "Well, there was no conscious manoeuvring on your part, but was there not on his?" "Why, bless you, no! Why should there have been?" "'Why should there have been?' Oh, Johnny! Johnny! where are your perceptive faculties? You will never be wideawake enough for a soldier!" "I don't know what you would be at." "I suppose not. But did you observe nothing interesting in the meeting between Mr. Howard and Miss Legare?" "Oh, oh, oh, oh! Whew ew-ew-ew! Is that it?" "Yes." "That's what you meant when you pinched my arm black and blue?" "Yes." "A sorry dog. He never hinted one word about this to me." "He had no right to do so, nor must you speak of it." "Eh! why?" "Because--but I had better tell you all about it. They met about three years ago for the first time. It was at Saratoga, where he was making quite a figure. The acquaintance had ripened to friendship, and something more when 'papa' bethought himself to inquire who this very distinguished-looking gentleman might be at home among his own people, and was informed that he was--a machinist by trade! Recall to mind the passion of Desdemonia's proud patrician 'pa' on discovering that he had a black-a-moor for a son-in-law, and you may be able remotely to conceive the consternation of Mr. Legare. He hurried his family away from Saratoga, and forbid the name of Howard to be mentioned in his presence. The lovers never corresponded, and never met until this evening! You may judge how much cause for speculation there is in this meeting." "Yes--but within these three years great changes have taken place. Mr. Howard is a distinguished man--a man of fortune, and of acknowledged talent--one of the lawgivers of the nation. And Mr. Legare and his family are reduced from wealth to a moderate competency."