Then the people laughed aloud , and would have thrown mud against the blazing transparency of the king 's crown and initials , only that they pitied the poor old dame who was so dismally triumphant amid the wreck and ruin of the system to which she appertained . Oftentimes it was her custom to climb the weary staircase that wound upward to the cupola , and thence strain her dimmed eyesight seaward and countryward , watching for a British fleet or for the march of a grand procession with the king 's banner floating over it . The passengers in the street below would discern her anxious visage and send up a shout : `` When the golden Indian on the province-house shall shoot his arrow , and when the cock on the Old South spire shall crow , then look for a royal governor again ! '' for this had grown a by-word through the town . And at last , after long , long years , old Esther Dudley knew -- or perchance she only dreamed -- that a royal governor was on the eve of returning to the province-house to receive the heavy key which Sir William Howe had committed to her charge . Now , it was the fact that intelligence bearing some faint analogy to Esther 's version of it was current among the townspeople . She set the mansion in the best order that her means allowed , and , arraying herself in silks and tarnished gold , stood long before the blurred mirror to admire her own magnificence . As she gazed the gray and withered lady moved her ashen lips , murmuring half aloud , talking to shapes that she saw within the mirror , to shadows of her own fantasies , to the household friends of memory , and bidding them rejoice with her and come forth to meet the governor . And while absorbed in this communion Mistress Dudley heard the tramp of many footsteps in the street , and , looking out at the window , beheld what she construed as the royal governor 's arrival . `` Oh , happy day ! Oh , blessed , blessed hour ! '' she exclaimed . `` Let me but bid him welcome within the portal , and my task in the province-house and on earth is done . '' Then , with tottering feet which age and tremulous joy caused to tread amiss , she hurried down the grand staircase , her silks sweeping and rustling as she went ; so that the sound was as if a train of special courtiers were thronging from the dim mirror . 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 .
XXXXX he approached she involuntarily sank down on her knees and tremblingly held forth the heavy key .
As across before from in into over that through to