Mr. Paca extended his hand. "Permit me to introduce myself. I am William Paca; this is Mr. Hammond, and Mr. Worthington, and Mr. Cole, and Mr. Chase." Parkington acknowledged the introduction with a sweeping bow, and took the proffered chair. "What is your order, sir?" Cole persisted. "A little rum and water, if you won't excuse me." "I won't excuse you.--I won't excuse anybody," Cole averred. "Sparrow, some rum and water for Sir Edward Parkington, and make haste." "Are you here for any time?" inquired Mr. Hammond. "I should say that I am," replied Parkington. "If the hospitality I have received to-day is any test, you will not be quit of me for a year." "You honor us," said Mr. Paca. "No, I do not; I simply appreciate you. We have not got a more charming man, in London, than your Mr. Dulany; while as for your Governor, he is a true officer of his Majesty." "We have never had so popular a Governor. He is a natural leader," said Mr. Worthington. "And now, that he has bought Whitehall, and erected a spacious mansion overlooking the Bay, he has become one of us. The only pity is that we have not been able to provide him with a wife." "Not for want of charming women, I warrant." "No, not on that account--Annapolis will yield to none in the beauty of her daughters. It is said there is an old wound that rankles still." "An old wound! got in England?" "No, got in Maryland, the very day he landed at the dock, from the good ship 'Mollie.' It is common rumor, and I violate no confidence by telling. There came with him, as secretary, one John Ridout--now, the Honorable John Ridout. He was met at the wharf by the Honorable Benjamin Tasker, President of the Council and acting Governor, who had with him his grandchild, Mary Ogle--then a mere slip of a girl of fourteen, but giving promise of rare beauty in the future. It is said, the Governor and John Ridout both fell in love that day, while they walked up Green Street, and along the Spa to the Tasker residence. Five years later, she chose the secretary, and gave the Governor nay." "And Ridout remained the Governor's secretary?" Parkington asked. "There showed the measure of the man. He is, to-day, the Commissary-General of the Province, and member of his Excellency's Council, and no one is so close to Governor Sharpe as is he." "A pretty enough story," said Parkington; "do you think it is true?" "We have no doubt of it." "Well," observed Parkington, "one warms to him marvelously easy. What ailed the lady, that she chose the subaltern when she could have had the master?" Mr. Paca laughed. "Women are a law unto themselves!" he said; "and Ridout is marvelously handsome and nearer her own age." A gurgle, ending in a prolonged snore, came from the chair beside him. "Ah! Cole slumbers. We shall hear from him no more to-night."