The first was a venerable and white-bearded patriarch who cautiously felt his way downward with a staff . Treading hastily behind him , and stretching forth his gauntleted hand as if to grasp the old man 's shoulder , came a tall soldier-like figure equipped with a plumed cap of steel , a bright breastplate and a long sword , which rattled against the stairs . Next was seen a stout man dressed in rich and courtly attire , but not of courtly demeanor ; his gait had the swinging motion of a seaman 's walk , and , chancing to stumble on the staircase , he suddenly grew wrathful and was heard to mutter an oath . He was followed by a noble-looking personage in a curled wig such as are represented in the portraits of Queen Anne 's time and earlier , and the breast of his coat was decorated with an embroidered star . While advancing to the door he bowed to the right hand and to the left in a very gracious and insinuating style , but as he crossed the threshold , unlike the early Puritan governors , he seemed to wring his hands with sorrow . `` Prithee , play the part of a chorus , good Dr. Byles , '' said Sir William Howe . `` What worthies are these ? '' `` If it please Your Excellency , they lived somewhat before my day , '' answered the doctor ; `` but doubtless our friend the colonel has been hand and glove with them . '' `` Their living faces I never looked upon , '' said Colonel Joliffe , gravely ; `` although I have spoken face to face with many rulers of this land , and shall greet yet another with an old man 's blessing ere I die . But we talk of these figures . I take the venerable patriarch to be Bradstreet , the last of the Puritans , who was governor at ninety or thereabouts . The next is Sir Edmund Andros , a tyrant , as any New England schoolboy will tell you , and therefore the people cast him down from his high seat into a dungeon . Then comes Sir William Phipps , shepherd , cooper , sea-captain and governor . May many of his countrymen rise as high from as low an origin ! Lastly , you saw the gracious earl of Bellamont , who ruled us under King William . '' `` But what is the meaning of it all ? '' asked Lord Percy . `` Now , were I a rebel , '' said Miss Joliffe , half aloud , `` I might fancy that the ghosts of these ancient governors had been summoned to form the funeral procession of royal authority in New England . '' Several other figures were now seen at the turn of the staircase . The one in advance had a thoughtful , anxious and somewhat crafty expression of face , and in spite of his loftiness of manner , which was evidently the result both of an ambitious spirit and of long continuance in high stations , he seemed not incapable of cringing to a greater than himself .
A few steps behind came an officer in a scarlet and embroidered uniform cut in a fashion old enough to have been worn by the duke XXXXX Marlborough .
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