"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