`` A tedious foolery , rather , '' said Sir William Howe , with an air of indifference . `` But who were the three that preceded him ? '' `` Governor Dudley , a cunning politician ; yet his craft once brought him to a prison , '' replied Colonel Joliffe . `` Governor Shute , formerly a colonel under Marlborough , and whom the people frightened out of the province , and learned Governor Burnett , whom the legislature tormented into a mortal fever . '' `` Methinks they were miserable men -- these royal governors of Massachusetts , '' observed Miss Joliffe . `` Heavens ! how dim the light grows ! '' It was certainly a fact that the large lamp which illuminated the staircase now burned dim and duskily ; so that several figures which passed hastily down the stairs and went forth from the porch appeared rather like shadows than persons of fleshly substance . Sir William Howe and his guests stood at the doors of the contiguous apartments watching the progress of this singular pageant with various emotions of anger , contempt or half-acknowledged fear , but still with an anxious curiosity . The shapes which now seemed hastening to join the mysterious procession were recognized rather by striking peculiarities of dress or broad characteristics of manner than by any perceptible resemblance of features to their prototypes . Their faces , indeed , were invariably kept in deep shadow , but Dr. Byles and other gentlemen who had long been familiar with the successive rulers of the province were heard to whisper the names of Shirley , of Pownall , of Sir Francis Bernard and of the well-remembered Hutchinson , thereby confessing that the actors , whoever they might be , in this spectral march of governors had succeeded in putting on some distant portraiture of the real personages . As they vanished from the door , still did these shadows toss their arms into the gloom of night with a dread expression of woe . Following the mimic representative of Hutchinson came a military figure holding before his face the cocked hat which he had taken from his powdered head , but his epaulettes and other insignia of rank were those of a general officer , and something in his mien reminded the beholders of one who had recently been master of the province-house and chief of all the land . `` The shape of Gage , as true as in a looking-glass ! '' exclaimed Lord Percy , turning pale . `` No , surely , '' cried Miss Joliffe , laughing hysterically ; `` it could not be Gage , or Sir William would have greeted his old comrade in arms . Perhaps he will not suffer the next to pass unchallenged . '' `` Of that be assured , young lady , '' answered Sir William Howe , fixing his eyes with a very marked expression upon the immovable visage of her grandfather . `` I have long enough delayed to pay the ceremonies of a host to these departing guests ; the next that takes his leave shall receive due courtesy . '' A wild and dreary burst of music came through the open door .
It seemed as it the procession , which had been gradually filling up its ranks , were now about to move , and that this loud peal of the wailing trumpets and roll of the muffled drums were a call to some loiterer XXXXX make haste .
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