And Esther Dudley fancied that as soon as the wide door should be flung open all the pomp and splendor of bygone times would pace majestically into the province-house and the gilded tapestry of the past would be brightened by the sunshine of the present . She turned the key , withdrew it from the lock , unclosed the door and stepped across the threshold . Advancing up the court-yard appeared a person of most dignified mien , with tokens , as Esther interpreted them , of gentle blood , high rank and long-accustomed authority even in his walk and every gesture . He was richly dressed , but wore a gouty shoe , which , however , did not lessen the stateliness of his gait . Around and behind him were people in plain civic dresses and two or three war-worn veterans -- evidently officers of rank -- arrayed in a uniform of blue and buff . But Esther Dudley , firm in the belief that had fastened its roots about her heart , beheld only the principal personage , and never doubted that this was the long-looked-for governor to whom she was to surrender up her charge . As he approached she involuntarily sank down on her knees and tremblingly held forth the heavy key . `` Receive my trust ! Take it quickly , '' cried she , `` for methinks Death is striving to snatch away my triumph . But he conies too late . Thank Heaven for this blessed hour ! God save King George ! '' `` That , madam , is a strange prayer to be offered up at such a moment , '' replied the unknown guest of the province-house , and , courteously removing his hat , he offered his arm to raise the aged woman . `` Yet , in reverence for your gray hairs and long-kept faith , Heaven forbid that any here should say you nay . Over the realms which still acknowledge his sceptre , God save King George ! '' Esther Dudley started to her feet , and , hastily clutching back the key , gazed with fearful earnestness at the stranger , and dimly and doubtfully , as if suddenly awakened from a dream , her bewildered eyes half recognized his face . Years ago she had known him among the gentry of the province , but the ban of the king had fallen upon him . How , then , came the doomed victim here ? Proscribed , excluded from mercy , the monarch 's most dreaded and hated foe , this New England merchant had stood triumphantly against a kingdom 's strength , and his foot now trod upon humbled royalty as he ascended the steps of the province-house , the people 's chosen governor of Massachusetts . `` Wretch , wretch that I am ! ''
muttered the old woman , with such a heartbroken expression XXXXX the tears gushed from the stranger 's eyes .
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