* *

Mr. Langstroth on this day rode to town, and there learned that Margaret
was at Landsdowne, and also a surprising piece of news with which he did
not regale Mary Swanwick.

Full of what he had heard, Mr. Langstroth, being now on horseback and on
his way to Gray Pines, his home, was suddenly minded to see his
great-niece. Therefore he rode up the avenue at Landsdowne, and hitching
his horse, learned that the men were still over their wine. "I will go
in," he said, well pleased.

"Ah," said Penn, rising, "you are just in time for the punch." He hated
the man and all his positive ways, but, the more for that, was
courteous, if rather formal. "A glass for Mr. Langstroth. Your health,
sir; your very good health."

"It is not good," said the new-comer.

"But the wine I trust is," said the Governor.

"It might supply goodness," Langstroth replied, "if it were not a bit
pricked." It was a tender subject, and his host, feeling grossly
wronged, was silent.

"Any fresh news?" said the attorney-general.

"Yes, sir; yes. The Princeton College lottery was drawn this morning,
and guess who drew a prize?"

"Not I"--"Nor I," they cried. "Who was it? Not you?"

"I! No such luck."

"Who, then?"

"Well, I bought ten chances in the fall, and one for my great-niece,
Margaret Swanwick. Her mother did not like it. Friends are all for
putting an end to lotteries."

"And she won?"

"She did. I chose for luck the number of her age and the last two
figures of the year--1792. That took it."

"How much? How much?" they shouted, the wine and rum punch having done
their work. "How much?"

"Eight thousand, nine hundred, and thirty-four dollars, as I'm a
sinner."

"The girl may have gay gowns now," cried one.

"Let us go out, and tell her," said the Governor, as men still called
him; and upon this, having had wine and rum more than was well, they
went laughing into the drawing-room.

"Oh, news! news!" cried one and another.

Mrs. Penn looked annoyed. "What is it?" she asked.

"Ho, ho! Fine news!" said Langstroth. "Margaret has the great prize in
the Princeton lottery--eight thousand and more. It was drawn this
morning."

"What luck!" cried the ladies. "And you are not jesting?"

"No. It is true. I bought it for her," roared Langstroth, triumphant.
"Think of that, Margaret--eight thousand and--"

"For me--mine!" said the girl, rising as she spoke. "Don't speak to me,
Cousin Penn. I have had too much to-day. I