“Bless you, yes, sir! why they can take you to Washington, which is nine miles, and afterwards to Bladensburg, which is nine more, with the greatest of ease.”
“All right—drive to Washington.”
The coachman closed the door, mounted to his box and started.
An hour’s drive along the beautiful wooded road, following the south bank of the Potomac, brought the travellers to the Long Bridge.
They crossed the river by that bridge and entered the city.
The near view of Washington from that point is not encouraging.
Alexander felt this as he bade his young companion look beyond the flats of the “island” and behold the distant and majestic hill upon the summit of which rises our Capitol.
The sun declined towards his setting, shone full upon the building’s western front, whose walls of white freestone and windows of crystal glass flashed back the rays, “in lines of dazzling light.”
Drusilla uttered an exclamation of pleasure; but was interrupted by the stopping of the carriage, and the appearance of the coachman at the door, inquiring:
“Where now, if you please, sir?”