"Yes, a noble letter, and the marquis is an apostle of human liberty, a friend of all men everywhere. What brings him here?"
"The old French and new English families. His visit is unexpected. The people can not receive him as they ought to, but he is to dine at the tavern, and there are to be two grand receptions at the great houses, one at Mr. Edgar's. I wish I could see him and show him this letter. I shall try. But they have not invited me. They are proud people, and they will not invite me; but I shall try to see him. It would be the happiest hour of my life if I could take the hand of the great Lafayette."
Mary Panisciowa was thrilled with her desire to meet General Lafayette.
Cannons boomed, drums and fifes played, and all the people hurried toward the landing. The marquis came in the steamer Natchez from St. Louis. When Mary Panisciowa heard the old bell ringing she knew that the marquis was coming, and she hid the faded old letter in her bosom and wept. She sent a messenger to the tavern, who asked Lafayette if he would meet the daughter of Panisciowa, and receive a message from her.
Just at night she looked out of the door, and saw an officer in uniform and a party of her own people coming toward the house. The officer appeared before the door, touched his head and bowed, and said:
"Mary Panisciowa, I am told."
"My father was Panisciowa."
"He fought under General Lafayette?"
"Yes, he fought under Lafayette, and I have a letter from the general here, written to him more than forty years ago. Will you read it?"
The officer took the letter, read it, and said: