Hyde stretched out his legs and struck them lightly with his riding whip. Then, with a smile, he answered, "He will be proud enough in his heart. Arenta would certainly leave him soon, and the Dutch are very sensible to the charm of a title. His daughter, the Marquise de Tounnerre, will be a very great woman in his eyes." "That is the truth. I was glad for thy mother to be a lady, and go to Court, and see the Queen. Yes, indeed! in my heart I was proud of it 'Twas about that very thing poor Janet Semple and I became unfriends." "Indeed, it is the common failing; and at present, there is no one like the French. I will except the President, and Mr. Adams, and Mr. Hamilton, and say the rest of us are French mad." "Thy grandfather, and thy grandmother too, thou may except. And as for thy father, with a great hatred he names them." "My father is English; and the English and French are natural and salutary enemies. I once heard Lord Exmouth say that France was to England all that Carthage was to Rome--the natural outlet for the temper of a people so quarrelsome that they would fight each other if they had not the French to fight." "Listen! That is thy father's gallop. Far off, I know it. So early in the morning, what is he coming for?" "He had an intention to go to Mr. Semple's funeral." "That is good. Thy grandfather is already gone--" and she looked so pointedly down at her black petticoat and bodice, that Hyde answered-- "Yes; I see that you are in mourning. Is it for Mr. Franklin, or for Mr. Semple?" "Franklin was far off; by my fireside Alexander Semple often sat; and at my table often he ate. Good friends were we once--good friends are we now; for all but Love, Death buries." At this moment General Hyde entered the room. Hurry and excitement were in his face, though they were well controlled. He gave his hand to Madame Van Heemskirk, saying-- "Good-morning, mother! You look well, as you always do:"--then turning to his son and regarding the young man's easy, smiling indifference, he said with some temper, "What the devil, George, are you doing here, so early in the day? I have been through the town seeking you--everywhere--even at that abominable Club, where Frenchmen and vagabonds of all kinds congregate." "I was at the Vice-President's, sir," answered George, with a comical assumption of the Vice-President's manner. "You were WHERE?" "At Richmond Hill. I made an early call on Mrs. Adams." Then General Hyde laughed heartily. "You swaggering dandy!" he replied. "Did you take a bet at the Belvedere to intrude on His Loftiness? And have you a guinea or two on supping a cup of coffee with him? Upon my honour, you must now be nearly at the end of your follies. Mother, where is the Colonel?" "He has gone to Elder Semple's house. You know--"