"Were those the Romans going away, mama?" demanded Annie.
"No, my love; the building and the dress show a more advanced state of civilization than our country presented at the time of their invasion; besides, there is a trace of Saxon descent in my hero's countenance."
"Did he derive his Saxon blood from his grandmother?" asked Edward.
"I see you have guessed, my dear boy."
"Edward is so clever, we have none of us any chance when he is here," exclaimed Mary.
"Your cousin," replied Mrs. Macdonald, "has acquired so much information by constant, persevering study and attention to what he has been taught, and you will learn as much if you apply as steadily."
"What was the flower the kind man wore in his helmet, mama?" enquired Alfred.
"Broom, which you must have seen growing on commons, and in grandpapa's garden. Henry and his descendants took their surname from this circumstance, planta being the Latin for plant, and genista for broom; hence the name—"
"Plantagenet," cried several voices at once.
"Did not the Romans speak Latin, mama?" asked Mary.