Shall I mix you a toddy, Mr. Ambler?"
"Tut, tut!" protested the Governor, laughing, "a touch of the wind is good
for the blood, my dear."
There was a light track of snow where he had crossed the room, and as he
rested his foot upon the brass knob of the fender, the ice clinging to his
riding-boot melted and ran down upon the hearth.
"Oh, I've had a great day," he repeated heartily, holding his plump white
hands to the flames. "It was worth the trip to test the spirit of Virginia;
and it's sound, Julia, as sound as steel. Why, when I said in my
speech--you'll remember the place, my dear--that if it came to a choice
between slavery and the Union, we'd ship the negroes back to Africa, and
hold on to the flag, I was applauded to the echo, and it would have done
you good to hear the cheers."
"I knew it would be so, Mr. Ambler," returned his wife, with conviction.
"Even if they thought otherwise I was sure your speech would convince them.
Dr. Crump was talking to me only yesterday, and he said that he had heard
both Mr. Yancey and Mr. Douglas, and that neither of them--"
"I know, my love, I know," interposed the Governor, waving his hand. "I
have myself heard the good doctor commit the same error of judgment. But,
remember, it is easy to convince a man who already thinks as you do; and
since the Major has gone over to the Democrats, the doctor has grown
Whiggish, you know."
Mrs. Ambler flushed. "I'm sure I don't see why you should deny that you
have a talent for oratory," she said gravely.
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