There was a principle of division.

The Federalists, who were in the minority, held one end of the porch; the more prominent Republicans the other, while the steps were free to both, and the space below was given over to a rabble almost entirely Republican.

Rand, with several associates, lawyers or planters, stood near the head of the steps;--all waited for the sorting and distribution of the mail.

The sun was low over the Ragged Mountains, and after the breathless heat of the day, a wind had arisen that refreshed like wine.
Rand, his back to the light, and paying grave attention to a colleague's low-voiced exposition of a point in law, did not at first observe a movement of the throng, coupled with the utterance of a well-known name, but presently, as though an unseen hand had tapped him on the shoulder, he turned abruptly, and looked with all the rest.

Mr.Jefferson was coming up the street, riding slowly on a big, black horse and followed by a negro groom.