"Mr. Clay's district has disgraced itself," was almost his first remark to his neighbor, Colonel Beaufort.
To his son John, he communicated his intention of bringing Mrs. F. to adorn his establishment.
"Sir, she is" said he, "the finest woman in Kentucky—the pride of the 'blue grass' district. I hope you will, notwithstanding her youth, treat her with deference and respect, and yield her the love she has a right to expect from my son!"
John, with a quiet but knowing smile, assured the General of his determination to accord affectionate respect to whomever he might choose for a wife. The old soldier was delighted and ordered Powhatan to be led to Mrs. Fauntleroy's. "Sir," said he to his son, "the Whig party has disgraced itself and Mr. Clay's district, and I must part with my favorite horse Powhatan, who has no equal in the Commonwealth. I have just ordered him to be delivered to Mrs. F. and am about to call, will you accompany me?" The son consented, and when they arrived they found Mrs. F. and two lady friends admiring the splendid animal.
"Madam," said the General, addressing the pretty widow, "I have come to pay the wager I have lost—Powhatan is yours."
"But General," interposed the lady, "I believe the wager was conditional. It was the horse or anything else I might prefer on your estate, was it not?"
"Right you are madam," said the General, "but I can never allow you to select an inferior animal, and I have none that approaches Powhatan."
"You have a very superior biped on your estate, General," replied the blushing widow, "your son, John, whom I have already promised to accept instead of Powhatan."
The astonished General, defeated for the first time, summoned his fortitude, and after recovering from the stunning effect of the widow's speech, rose and in his blandest manner bade the party adieu. To his son he said—"Sir, you will remain and do your duty."
The General never entirely forgave his daughter-in-law her practical joke. In after years he used to say, "Lilley is the finest woman in Kentucky, but she always lacked taste."