That answer is one which is in our history.
“John Calhoun accepts!” said my master,
loud and clear.
A KETTLE OF FISH
Few disputes exist which
have not had their origin in
women—Juvenal.
I saw the heavy face of Mr. Pakenham go pale, saw
the face of the Baroness von Ritz flash with a swift
resolution, saw the eyes of Mr. Calhoun and Mr. Tyler
meet in firmness. An instant later, Mr. Tyler
rose and bowed our dismissal. Our little play
was done. Which of us knew all the motives that
had lain behind its setting?
Mr. Pakenham drew apart and engaged in earnest speech
with the lady who had accompanied him; so that meantime
I myself found opportunity for a word with Mr. Calhoun.
“Now,” said I, “the fat certainly
is all in the fire!”
“What fat, my son?” asked Calhoun serenely;
“and what fire?”
“At least”—and I grinned covertly,
I fear—“it seems all over between
my lady and her protector there. She turned traitor
just when he had most need of her! Tell me, what
argument did you use with her last night?”
Mr. Calhoun took snuff.
“You don’t know women, my son, and you
don’t know men, either.” The thin
white skin about his eyes wrinkled.
“Certainly, I don’t know what arts may
have been employed in Mr. Calhoun’s office at
half-past two this morning.” I smiled frankly
now at my chief, and he relaxed in turn.
“We had a most pleasant visit of an hour.
A delightful woman, a charming woman, and one of intellect
as well. I appealed to her heart, her brain,
her purse, and she laughed, for the most part.
Yet she argued, too, and seemed to have some interest—as
you see proved now. Ah, I wish I could have had
the other two great motives to add to my appeal!”
“Meaning—?”
“Love—and curiosity! With those
added, I could have won her over; for believe me,
she is none too firmly anchored to England. I
am sure of that, though it leaves me still puzzled.
If you think her personal hold on yonder gentleman
will be lessened, you err,” he added, in a low
voice. “I consider it sure that he is bent
on her as much as he is on England. See, she
has him back in hand already! I would she were
our friend!”
“Is she not?” I asked suddenly.
“We two may answer that one day,” said
Calhoun enigmatically.
Now I offered to Mr. Calhoun the note I had received
from his page.
“This journey to-night,” I began; “can
I not be excused from making that? There is a
very special reason.”
“What can it be?” asked Calhoun, frowning.
“I am to be married to-night, sir,” said
I, calmly as I could.
It was Calhoun’s turn now to be surprised. “Married?
Zounds! boy, what do you mean? There is no time
to waste.”
“I do not hold it quite wasted, sir,”
said I with dignity. “Miss Elisabeth Churchill
and I for a long time—”
