Chapter 4 - Page 2

handsome,
smiling youth at her side.

In his way the father was just as much pleased. He pushed some papers he
had been busy with impatiently aside, and stood up with outstretched
hand to meet his son.

"Kate, my dear heart," he cried, "let us have something to eat. The boy
will be hungry as a hunter after his ride. And George, what brings you
home? We were just telling each other--your mother and I--that you were
in the height of the city's follies."

"Indeed, sir, there will be few follies for some days. Mr. Franklin is
dead, and the city goes into mourning."

"'Tis a fate that all must meet," said the General; "but death and
Franklin would look each other in the face as friends--He had a work to
do, he did it well, and it is finished. That is all. What other news do
you bring?"

"It is said that Mirabeau is arrested somewhere, for something. I did
not hear the particulars."

"Probably, for the very least of his crimes. Marat hates him; and Marat
represents the fury of the Revolution. The monster wished to erect eight
hundred gibbets, and hang Mirabeau first."

"And the deputies are returning to the Provinces, drunk with their own
importance. They have abolished titles, and coats of arms, and liveries;
and published a list of the names the nobles are to assume--as if people
did not know their own names. Mr. Hamilton says 'Revolution in France
has gone raving mad, and converted twenty-four millions of people into
savages.'"

"I hate the French!" said the General passionately. "It is a natural
instinct with me, just as tame animals are born with an antipathy to
wild beasts. If I thought I had one drop of French blood in me, I would
let it out with a dagger."

George winced a little. He remembered that the Morans were of French
extraction; and he answered--

"After all, father, we must judge people individually. Mere race is not
much."

"George Hyde! What are you saying? RACE is everything. It is the
strongest and deepest of all human feelings. Nothing conquers its
prejudices."

"Except love. I have heard, father, that Love never asks 'of what race
art thou?' or even 'whose son, or daughter, art thou?'"

"You have heard many foolish things, George; that is one of them. Men
and women marry out of their own nationality, AT THEIR PERIL. I took my
life in my hand for your mother's love."

"She was worthy of the peril."

"God knows it."

At this moment Mrs. Hyde entered the room, her fair face alight with
love. A servant carrying a tray full of good things to eat,