“Nevertheless his opinions will not alter the axis of the earth.  It is however a dangerous thing to live in a community where politics are the staple of talk, quarrels spring full armed from a word in such an atmosphere.”

“I have accommodated my politics, sir, to my own satisfaction; and I make shift to answer people according to their idols.  I vow, I am so weary of the words ‘honour and honesty’ that they beat a tattoo on my brain.”

“When you are as old as I am, George, you will understand that these words are the coin, with which men buy office.  The corruption of courtiers is a general article of faith, but the impudence of patriots going to market with their honesty, beats courtly corruption to nothing.  However, let us go to Philadelphia and see the play.  That is what Annie desires.”

“I desire to see Washington.  I wish to see the greatest of Americans.”

“Let me tell you, Annie,” said the Earl, “that there never was a man in America less American in character and habits, than Washington.”

“For all that,” interrupted George, “there will never come a man after him, that will be able to rob Washington of the first place in the hearts of the American nation.”

“Nor at this day can we judge him as he deserves,” added the Earl;” for he is cramped and hustled by the crowd of nobodies around him.”

“I shall look at him, and I shall know him,” said Annie.  “George tells me that he is good and handsome to look at.”

“On horseback,” continued the Earl, “there is none like him; he is the ideally perfect cavalier—­graceful, dignified, commanding.  Indeed so superb a man comes not twice in a generation.  At Monmouth, where I commanded a division, I remember him flying along the lines, cheering the men and restoring by his tremendous enthusiasm the fortunes of the fight to our standard.  The grandest of men!  You are right, Annie, it would be a stupidity to go back to England without seeing him.”

This was the initial conversation which after some opposition, and a little temper from madame the Countess, resulted in the Hyde family visiting Philadelphia.  It was a great trial to the Countess to leave her own well ordered, comfortable home for apartments in an hotel; and she was never done asserting it to be a great imprudence, as far as Annie was concerned.  But the girl was immovable, and as she was supported by her uncle and cousin, the Countess was compelled to acquiesce.  But really she was so ready to find her pleasure in the pleasure of those she loved, that this acquiescence was not an unmitigated trial.  She suspected the motive for her son’s eager desire for Philadelphia, and as she had abandoned without much regret the hope of his marriage with Annie Hyde, she was far from being disinclined to Cornelia.  She had accustomed herself to the idea of Cornelia as mistress of the beautiful home she had made.  She was an American, and madame loved her country and wished her daughter-in-law to be of American lineage.  She was aware that some trouble had come between the lovers, and she trusted that this visit might be the ground of a reconciliation.  Without question, or plan, or even strong desire, she felt the wisdom of making opportunities, and then leaving the improvement of them to circumstances.