"So do I," said Maynadier. "You cannot help liking him. He has the qualities that appeal to a man--there are a certain dash, and verve, and lightheartedness about him that are very taking." "The compliments of the morning to your Excellency--and to you, Mr. Maynadier," said Parkington, with a graceful bow--"and, if I may, to the horses, as well." "A man is known by the company he keeps, as Governor Ogle said, when he built the stable in his front yard, on King George Street!" laughed Colonel Sharpe. "He was a true sportsman," said Maynadier. "His horses and his dogs next after his family. It was the sure sign of his British blood." "Colonel Sharpe," said Parkington, presently, "I want to ask a favor?" "It is granted, before it is asked." "Which is a trifle rash, sir; I may ask for a hundred guineas." "They will be forthcoming, if you do." "I will not impose on good nature," smiled Parkington. "But what I do want, is your permission to go to Annapolis, and bring back a friend, Sir Charles Brandon, who came two days ago. He would have paid his respects sooner, to your Excellency, but the Assembly took all your time." "Go, by all means!" said the Governor; "but you should have informed me of his intended coming, so I could have had him down." "I did not know he was closer than London," Parkington protested, "until he walked into the Coffee-house, the other night, and found me--and he was as surprised as I." "Bring him down!" said the Colonel, heartily.--"Take the pinnace and bring him down.--How long does he expect to stay in Annapolis?" "Until the next ship sails for England." "Good--it will be a pleasure to have him." "I did not mean to ask for an invitation for----" "Tut! tut! we shall be delighted. A visiting Englishman is a boon--like yourself." Parkington turned back to the house. Colonel Sharpe watched him, until he disappeared through the doorway, then, he swung around toward Maynadier. "Either the plot grows thicker, or else it is cleared altogether. Either there are two Sir Edward Parkingtons or else Brandon is an abettor of the impostor. Well, we will wait and see." As they went slowly in, Constable overtook them. He had been down at the far end of the track, putting a green hunter over the jumps. "Constable!" said Colonel Sharpe, "have you ever met Sir Charles Brandon, Parkington's friend?" "Yes--I was at the Coffee-house with Parkington, the other night, when Brandon walked in. They were too astonished, for a moment, to speak. Then it was: 'Parkington, on my soul!' 'Brandon, by all that's holy!' It was a very pretty meeting--such genuine friendship." "Hum!" with a look at Maynadier. "Well, we are going to have him here. Parkington has gone up in the pinnace for him." "Brandon is a particular friend of Sir Edward?" asked Maynadier.