Audrey

Hugon went a-trading to the Southern Indians, but had lately returned to

his lair at the crossroads ordinary, when, upon a sunny September morning,

Audrey and Mistress Deborah, mounted upon the sorriest of Darden's sorry

steeds, turned from Duke of Gloucester into Palace Street. They had parted

with the minister before his favorite ordinary, and were on their way to

the house where they themselves were to lodge during the three days of

town life which Darden had vouchsafed to offer them.

For a month or more Virginia had been wearing black ribbons for the King,

who died in June, but in the last day or so there had been a reversion to

bright colors. This cheerful change had been wrought by the arrival in the

York of the Fortune of Bristol, with the new governor on board. His

Excellency had landed at Yorktown, and, after suitable entertainment at

the hands of its citizens, had proceeded under escort to Williamsburgh.

The entry into the town was triumphal, and when, at the doorway of his

Palace, the Governor turned, and addressed a pleasing oration to the

people whom he was to rule in the name of the King and my Lord of Orkney,

enthusiasm reached its height. At night the town was illuminated, and

well-nigh all its ladies and gentlemen visited the Palace, in order to

pay their duty to its latest occupant. It was a pleasure-loving people,

and the arrival of a governor an occasion of which the most must be made.

Gentlemen of consideration had come in from every county, bringing with

them wives and daughters. In the mild, sunshiny weather the crowded town

overflowed into square and street and garden. Everywhere were bustle and

gayety,--gayety none the less for the presence of thirty or more ministers

of the Established Church. For Mr. Commissary Blair had convoked a meeting

of the clergy for the consideration of evils affecting that body,--not,

alas! from without alone. The Governor, arriving so opportunely, must,

too, be addressed upon the usual subjects of presentation, induction, and

all-powerful vestries. It was fitting, also, that the college of William

and Mary should have its say upon the occasion, and the brightest scholar

thereof was even now closeted with the Latin master. That the copy of

verses giving the welcome of so many future planters, Burgesses, and

members of Council would be choice in thought and elegant in expression,

there could be no reasonable doubt. The Council was to give an

entertainment at the Capitol; one day had been set aside for a muster of

militia in the meadow beyond the college, another for a great horse-race;

many small parties were arranged; and last, but not least, on the night of

the day following Darden's appearance in town, his Excellency was to give

a ball at the Palace. Add to all this that two notorious pirates were

standing their trial before a court-martial, with every prospect of being

hanged within the se'ennight; that a deputation of Nottoways and

Meherrins, having business with the white fathers in Williamsburgh, were

to be persuaded to dance their wildest, whoop their loudest, around a

bonfire built in the market square; that at the playhouse Cato was to be

given with extraordinary magnificence, and one may readily see that there

might have been found, in this sunny September week, places less

entertaining than Williamsburgh.