nds of his young mistress,
Caesar reappeared, ushering into the apartment a man above the middle
height, spare, but full of bone and muscle. At first sight his
strength seemed unequal to manage the unwieldy burden of his pack; yet
he threw it on and off with great dexterity,[8] and with as much
apparent ease as if it had been filled with feathers. His eyes were
gray, sunken, restless, and, for the flitting moments that they dwelt
on the countenance of those with whom he conversed, they seemed to
read the very soul. They possessed, however, two distinct expressions,
which in a great measure characterized the whole man. When engaged in
traffic, the intelligence of his face appeared lively, active, and
flexible, though uncommonly acute; if the conversation turned on the
ordinary transactions of life, his air became abstract and restless;
but if, by chance, the revolution and the country were the topic, his
whole system seemed altered--all his faculties were concentrated;[9]
he would listen for a great length of time without speaking, and then
would break silence by some light remark that was too much at variance
with his former manner not to be affectation. But of the war and of
his father he seldom spoke, and always from some obvious necessity. To
a superficial[10] observer, avarice[11] would seem his ruling passion.

[Footnote 8: quickness and skill.]

[Footnote 9: centred upon one thing.]

[Footnote 10: looking at the surface only.]

[Footnote 11: love of gain.]

On entering the room the peddler relieved himself from his burden,
which, as it stood on the door,[12] reached nearly to his shoulders,
and saluted the family with modest civility. To Harper he made a
silent bow, without lifting his eyes from the carpet; but the curtain
prevented any notice of the presence of Captain Wharton. At length,
Sarah, having selected several articles, observed in a cheerful voice:

[Footnote 12: a door cut into halves, upper and lower.]

"But, Harvey, you have told us no news. Has Lord Cornwallis beaten the
rebels again?"

The question seemed not to have been heard, for the peddler,
burying his body in the pack, brought forth a quantity of lace of
exquisite[13] fineness, and, holding it up to view, he required the
admiration of the young lady. Finding a reply was expected, he
answered, slowly:

[Footnote 13: extreme.]

"There is some talk, below, about Tarleton[14] having defeated General
Sump