man of great promise; his devotion to his mother was warmly commented on. The first time that I remember being struck by his manly beauty and attractiveness was during one of his returns from West Point, on furlough. I also remember being with him once at my grandfather Randolph's, at Fauquier. He was splendid-looking, and as full of fun - especially for teasing-as any of us."

Many years afterward one of General Robert E. Lee's own sons left on record that his father chaffed and teased certain people, -"but only those of whom he was particularly fond." Perhaps the "relative" whose letter is quoted belonged to that class. She says further: "The first time it struck me that Lieutenant Lee was really remarkable was during another of my visits to Arlington. Robert was reading; I looked up, and, as my glance fell upon his face, in perfect repose, the thought passed through my mind, 'you certainly look more like a great man, than any one I have ever seen.'

After Robert was graduated from West Point, two years of happy courtship passed; but, absorbed as were the young lovers in each other, the earnest, ambitious young lieutenant of engineers did not neglect his professional duties. He applied himself with zeal to his work and gained a reputation for ability.

THE LEE MANSION AT ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA.

Built by George Washington Parke Custis, adopted son of George Washington.

Then, in June, 1831, came the wedding. It took place in the right-hand drawing-room of the historic mansion at Arlington. Tourists and travelers are to-day shown the exact spot where the happy young couple stood to be married by the Rev. Mr. Keith.1

At most weddings the principal personages are the bride and groom and the officiating clergyman. If these three are present, whatever delays or absences occur the ceremony may go forward; but if one of these three is absent, all is at a standstill. This is precisely what happened at Arlington. The guests arrived, scores of them. The first bridesmaid and the best man were Miss CatharineMason and Lieutenant Sidney Smith Lee; the second bridesmaid and groomsman were Miss Mary Goldborough and Lieutenant Thomas Kennedy; the third bridesmaid was Miss Marietta Turner, escorted by Lieutenant Chambers; the fourth couple were Miss Lewis and Mr. Tillman; fifth, Miss Julia Calvert and Lieutenant Prentiss; and sixth and last came Miss Britannia Peter with Lieutenant Thomas Turner.

There must have been a brave display of gold lace in such a gay young company comprising

1 Authorities differ as regards the name of the officiating clergyman; General A. L. Long gives it as "the Reverend Mr. Meade."

many officers of the army, and the costumes of the young girls were equally gorgeous. But as yet the clergyman, Mr. Keith, had not arrived. An atmosphere of uneasiness began to pervade the light-hearted group. "Where can he be?" "Are you sure he was properly notified?" "Perhaps the storm has detained him." For a heavy shower had come up.

Just as the uneasiness was deepening into real anxiety, and the best man, Sidney Smith Lee, had gone to the doorway for the third time to peer out along the rain-swept avenue, a covered carriage came rolling down the graveled roadway, drawn by a drooping, plodding horse.

The vehicle was indeed "covered," but imperfectly. Presently, as it drew up before the door, the Rev. Mr. Keith disentangled his long, angular form from the flapping leather curtains, and presented himself, soaked to the skin, but cheerful and reassuring. His drive in the pelting rain from the Episcopal Theological School in Alexandria, where he was a professor, had not been really exhilarating.

The pent-up anxiety of the guests found decorous expression in restrained laughter which became more open as the good-natured clergyman himself set them the example. So all laughed together and were glad it was no worse.