wine, nor ale, nor beer,
But fire and smoke and stench, as we do here."

"Well put, my young friend," said Temple, laughing in his turn. "But you
should remember that John Ford had to put such a sentiment in the mouth
of a Bedlamite. Here, Sandy," he added, kicking a little negro boy, who
was nodding in the corner, dreaming, perhaps, of the pleasures of the
next 'possum hunt, "Run to the kitchen, Sandy, and bring me a coal of
fire."

"And, now, Mr. Bernard, what is the news political and social in the big
world of Jamestown?"

"Much to interest you in both respects. It is indeed a part of my duty
in this visit, to request that you and the ladies will be present at a
grand masque ball to be given on Lady Frances's birth-night."

"A masque in Virginia!" exclaimed the Colonel, "that will be a novelty
indeed! But the Governor has not the opportunity or the means at hand to
prepare it."

"Oh, yes!" replied Bernard, "we have all determined to do our best. The
assembly will be in session, and the good burgesses will aid us, and at
any rate if we cannot eclipse old England, we must try to make up in
pleasure, what is wanting in brilliancy. I trust Miss Temple will aid us
by her presence, which in itself will add both pleasure and brilliancy
to the occasion."

Virginia blushed slightly at the compliment, and replied--

"Indeed, Mr. Bernard, the presence which you seem to esteem so highly
depends entirely on my father's permission--but I will unite with you in
urging that as it is a novelty to me, he will not deny his assent. I
should like of all things to go."

"Well, my daughter, as you please--but what says mother to the plan? You
know she is not queen consort only, and she must be consulted."

"I am sure, Colonel Temple," said the good lady, "that I do as much to
please Virginia as you can. To be sure, a masque in Virginia can afford
but little pleasure to me, who have seen them in all their glory in
England, but I have no doubt it will be all well enough for the young
people, and I am always ready to contribute to their amusement."

"I know that, my dear, and Jeanie can testify to it as well as I. But,
Mr. Bernard, what is to be the subject of this masque, and who is the
author, or are we to have a rehash of rare Ben Jonson's Golden Age?"

"It is to be a kind of parody of that, or rather a burlesque;" replied
Bernard, "and is designed to hail the advent of the Restoration, a theme
worthy of the genius of a S