Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/240

Rh ideal of the Virginia gentleman of the old regime,—the very soul of kindness and hospitality," He would hear of no excuse on the part of this soldier, who was Colonel Washington, for declining the invitation to stop at his house. In vain the Colonel pleaded important business in Williamsburg; his friend, Mr. Chamberlayne, insisted that he must dine with him at the very least, and he promised, as a temptation, to introduce him to a young and charming widow who chanced then to be his guest. At last the soldier surrendered, resolving, however, to pursue his journey the same evening. They proceeded to the mansion. Mr. Chamberlayne presented Colonel Washington to his various guests, among whom stood the beautiful Mrs. Custis. It is not a violent presumption to suppose that the conversation at that dinner turned upon scenes in which the whole community had a deep interest—scenes which the young hero, fresh from his early battlefields, could eloquently describe; and one can fancy with what earnest and rapt attention the fair widow listened, and how, "the heavenly rhetoric of her eyes," beamed unconscious admiration upon the manly speaker. The morning passed; the sun sank low in the horizon and the hospitable host smiled as he saw the Colonel's faithful attendant, true to his orders, holding his master's spirited steed at the gate The veteran waited and marvelled at the delay. But Mr. Chamberlayne insisted that no guest ever left his house after sunset, and his visitor was persuaded, without much difficulty, to remain. The next day was far advanced when Colonel Washington was on the road to Williamsburg. His business there being dispatched, he hastened again to the companionship of the captivating widow.

A short time after his marriage, which took place about 1769, Colonel and Mrs. Washington fixed their residence at Mount Vernon. The mansion at that period was a very small building compared with its present extent. It did not receive