Of the men standing there many were his bitter political enemies, but also they were his old neighbours, lovers, like himself, of Albemarle and Virginia, and once, in the old days when all were English, as in the later time when all were patriots, his friends and comrades.

He bowed to them, and they returned his salute, not genially, but with the respect due to his fame and office.

His eye travelled on.

"Mr.Rand, may I have a word with you ?" Rand left the pillar against which he had leaned and came down the steps to the waiting horseman.

He moved neither fast nor slow, but yet with proper alacrity, and his dark face was imperturbable.