"The same, sir."

"You honor me, Colonel Washington, by accepting my invitation to
dinner," continued Mr. Chamberlain. "I rejoice all the more in the
opportunity to have you for my guest because I have other friends to
dine with me to-day, who will regard it a real pleasure to meet our
young and gallant soldier."

Washington bowed his acknowledgments for the honest compliment, and they
passed into the mansion, where he was soon introduced to the other
guests, and brought face to face with them in the dining-hall.

Among the guests was Mrs. Martha Custis, a young widow, accomplished,
beautiful, and wealthy, about six months younger than Washington. Her
charming appearance captivated the young hero's heart. He beheld in her
such a partner as would make his future life happy.

After dinner, instead of discoursing upon the importance of his mission
to Williamsburg, and rushing for his horse, he entered into familiar
conversation with Mrs. Custis. The longer he talked the more he admired
the intelligence, grace, and character of the lady.

His faithful servant Bishop was at the gate, with the horses, when the
party rose from dinner. He waited and waited, wondering and wondering
what could delay his master, who was always punctual as the clock. The
favorite charger champed his bits and pawed the ground, as if he, too,
wondered what had become of his rider's usual promptness. So the
moments, and even hours, sped, trying the patience of Bishop and the
horses.

All this while Washington was engaged in pleasant conversation with Mrs.
Custis and other guests, the former being the attraction which caused
him to modify his views respecting his business at Williamsburg. She
might not have been a "widow bewitched," but she certainly cast a spell
over the hero of Monongahela, which he did not throw off; and, after a
time of unusual social delight, he accepted an invitation to stop over
night. Bishop was ordered to put the horses into the stable, and
thoughts of war appear to have been banished.

The next morning he hurried away to Williamsburg, and travelled at such
a breakneck speed that Bishop was more puzzled than ever over the
conduct of his master. He had sacrificed his well-earned reputation for
promptitude on the day before, and now he seemed to be no longer
merciful to his beast; quite enough to perplex the servant beyond
measure. However, Washington expedited his business at Williamsburg,
secured the supplies for his