"As much as I should like to, I am afraid I cannot," rejoined Boyd. "I expect to be called out of town at any time, but"—as her face fell—"if I am in the city I will surely go to you."
"It is a shame if you do have to go away just then," declared Mrs. Arnold, "because my husband counted on you to help him through the evening, as he detests social gatherings."
"Ah, there comes that charming Monsieur Mercier," chimed in Mrs. Bennett, as the French Minister strove to make his way through the crowded room.
"Mercier has never recovered from his disappointment at his failure to induce his government to recognize the Confederacy,"[2] ] laughed Colonel Bennett. "It hurt his amour propre."
"Men are not flattered by being shown that there has been a difference of purpose between the Almighty and them," was Lincoln's noncommittal reply. He turned to cross the room, but Mrs. Arnold, who had been an interested listener, detained him for a moment.
"Do you speak French, Mr. President?" she inquired.
There was a quizzical gleam in Lincoln's eyes as he replied slowly and with emphasis: "No, Mrs. Arnold; only English, and that not very well," and he moved on up the room.
Disconcerted by the expression on Doctor Boyd's face, Mrs. Arnold asked hastily, "How is poor Major Goddard? I hear he is under your care now."
"He is badly shaken up physically," returned Boyd.
"Is there no prospect of his regaining his sight, Doctor?" inquired Mrs. Bennett.