"If we temporarily lack the Baroness von Ritz to add zest to our game," I hazarded, "we still have the Doña Lucrezia and her little jealousies."
Calhoun turned quickly upon me with a sharp glance, as though seized by some sudden thought. "By the Lord Harry! boy, you give me an idea. Wait, now, for a moment. Do you go on with your copying there, and excuse me for a time."
An instant later he passed from the room, his tall figure bent, his hands clasped behind his back, and his face wrinkled in a frown, as was his wont when occupied with some problem.
CHAPTER XX
THE LADY FROM MEXICO
As soon as women are ours, we are no longer theirs.
—Montaigne.
After a time my chief reëntered the office room and bent over me at my table. I put before him the draft of the document which he had given me for clerical care.
"So," he said, "'tis ready—our declaration. I wonder what may come of that little paper!"
"Much will come of it with a strong people back of it. The trouble is only that what Democrat does, Whig condemns. And not even all our party is with Mr. Tyler and yourself in this, Mr. Calhoun. Look, for instance, at Mr. Polk and his plans." To this venture on my part he made no present answer.