"I think, George, if your brother can spare you towards the spring, I should like to have you visit Williamsburg with me. It is now twelve years since I was there, in the administration of my Lord Botetourt. He exacted every mark of respect that would have been paid to the King himself. I well remember his going in state to open the House of Burgesses, as the King opens Parliament. He rode in a gilt coach, given him by the King himself, drawn by eight milk-white horses—a very fine show; but for all their love of finery and display themselves, the Virginians are very jealous of any on the part of their rulers, and many gentlemen who drove coaches and four themselves complained bitterly of the Governor."
George was charmed at the prospect, and took the first opportunity of broaching the subject to Laurence.
"I think it would be very advantageous to you to see something of a viceregal court, and I will see that you have the means to make a good appearance," was Laurence's kind reply.
"Thank you, brother," said George, gratefully. "I will have things on the place in such order that everything will go on as if I were here; and as I shall come back for some weeks before returning to the mountains, I can see whether my orders have been carried out or not."
Another summer's work would finish all the surveys Lord Fairfax wished, and it was understood that at the end of that time George was to live permanently at Mount Vernon in charge of the estate.
Madam Washington was delighted at the idea of George's advent at the provincial court under such auspices, and Betty danced for joy, and immediately plunged into a discussion of George's wardrobe for the great event.
"Timothy Jones, the tailor in Alexandria, has some fine green cloth, out of which he could make you a surtout trimmed with silver, and I saw myself an elegant piece of scarlet velvet from which a mantle to wear to court might be made. And you shall have my best Mechlin lace for your cravat. Ah, George, how I long to see you in your fine clothes!"
"I should think, Betty," replied George, smiling, "you would be more concerned about how I will conduct myself with these great people. You know, sometimes I lose my speech entirely, and become very awkward; and sometimes I become abstracted in company; and nobody's manners are perfect at eighteen."
"Dear George," cried Betty, throwing her arms around his neck, "I think of your clothes because that is all that I need think about with you. In every other way you are sure to do us credit;" which made George feel that Betty was the most good-natured creature alive.