You are heartily welcome." He pushed me into a vacant chair at the bottom of the table, and gave some orders to the negro.

Now I knew where I was, for I had seen before the noble figure of my host.

This was Colonel Beverley, who in his youth had ridden with Prince Rupert, and had come to Virginia long ago in the Commonwealth time.

He sat on the Council, and was the most respected of all the magnates of the dominion, for he had restrained the folly of successive Governors, and had ever teen ready to stand forth alike on behalf of the liberties of the settlers and their duties to the Crown.

His name was highly esteemed at Whitehall, and more than once he had occupied the Governor's place when His Majesty was slow in filling it.