Miles was full of excitement. Colonel Berkeley, whose sectionalism was of the robust and aggressive kind indigenous in Virginia, was in high feather. He charged Pembroke repeatedly to wallop those infernal Yankees so that they would never forget it, and recalled all the forensic glories of all the Pembrokes to him. Olivia brightened into wonderful interest. She said it was the subject that interested her. The evening before the resolution was to be called up, Pembroke walked over to the Berkeleys, Olivia and her father sat in the cosy library. The Colonel began immediately. “My dear fellow, you ought not to be here this minute. Remember you have got to speak for the State of Virginia to-morrow. You ought to be sharpening your blade and seeing to the joints in your armor.” “You should, indeed,” struck in Olivia, with great animation. “You can’t imagine how nervous I feel. You see, you are to be the mouth-piece of all of us. If you don’t do your best, and show that we have some patriotism, as well as the North, I believe there will be a general collapse among all the Southern people here.” Pembroke could not help laughing. “Your anxiety, Colonel, and Miss Berkeley’s doesn’t bespeak great confidence in me.” Olivia blushed and protested more earnestly. “Not so, not so, sir,” cried the Colonel. “We have every confidence in you, but my boy, you had better take a look at Cicero’s orations against Catiline--and read over to-night Sheridan’s speeches--and Hayne against Webster.” Pembroke threw himself back in his chair, and his laugh was so boyish and hearty, that Olivia was startled into joining in it. “This is fearful,” said Olivia, bringing her pretty brows together sternly. “This is unpardonable levity. At a time like this, it is dreadful for us to stand so in awe of your self-love. Really now, we know that you are eloquence and cleverness itself, but it isn’t safe,” she continued, with an air of infinite experience, “to trust anything to chance.” “Come down to the House to-morrow and encourage me,” replied Pembroke good humoredly, “and keep up Miles’ spirits when I begin to flounder.” The evening was very jolly, like those old ones in Paris and in Virginia. Pembroke at last rose to go, and in parting, the Colonel clapped him on the back, while Olivia held his hand and pressed it so warmly that Pembroke’s dark face colored with pleasure, as she said: “Now, I know I am offending you--but you can’t imagine how frightened I am. You may come out all right--but the suspense will be dreadful--” She was laughing, too, but Pembroke saw under her badinage a powerful interest in his success. He went away elated. “At least she will see that I was worthy of more consideration than she gave me,” he thought--a common reflection to men who have been refused.