Presently when we had waxed very cheerful, and wine had risen to several young heads, the Governor called on us to brim our glasses.
"Be it known, gentlemen, and you, fair ladies," he cried, "that to-day is a more auspicious occasion than any Royal festival or Christian holy day.

To-day is Dulcinea's birthday.

I summon you to drink to the flower of the West, the brightest gem in Virginia's coronal." At that we were all on our feet.

The gentlemen snapped the stems of their glasses to honour the sacredness of the toast, and there was such a shouting and pledging as might well have turned a girl's head.
Elspeth sat still and smiling.

The mockery had gone out of her eyes, and I thought they were wet.