One of these gentlemen only, the chief-engineer, who came to make new
roads for Lesdernier,[1] by order of government, had already been a
visitor of some weeks, and a strong attachment, vital from the first,
had sprung up between us; so far, unacknowledged by either.
During the dessert which succeeded the sumptuous Christmas-dinner, where
old and young took part, and "all went merry as a marriage-bell," the
health of John C. Calhoun, then heading the nullification party, was
formally proposed by Colonel La Vigne, as "first of men, and greatest of
statesmen."
This toast Captain Wentworth (the chief of the corps of engineers)
tacitly refused to drink, and was seconded in this resolve by all of his
party. There was, however, no active demonstration of unwillingness.
The representatives of government contented themselves with pressing
their hands above their glasses, and so refusing to fill them with the
wine that flowed freely to the welcome pledge, standing rigidly and
silently while it was drunk with enthusiasm by the remaining guests--all
Southern and sectional.
This defalcation to the common cause was apparently unnoticed at the
time, but was made the subject of remark, and subsequently of a
challenge by the Mars of the family, as Gregory denominated Major
Favraud--a challenge which circumstances compelled Captain Wentworth
reluctantly to accept.
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