She had kindled other fires at her side. The tall young Englishman had lost interest in American politics, had turned his back upon poor Alice Pomfret, and had forgotten the world in general. Not so the Austrian, who was on the other side of Alice, and who could not see Victoria. Mr. Crewe, by his manner and appearance, had impressed him as a person of importance, and he wanted to know more. Besides, he wished to improve his English, and Alice had been told to speak French to him. By a lucky chance, after several blind attempts, he awakened the interest of the personality.
"I hear you are what they call reform in America?"
This was not the question that opened the gates.
"I don't care much for the word," answered Mr. Crewe, shortly; "I prefer the word progressive."
Discourse on the word "progressive" by the Austrian almost a monologue.
But he was far from being discouraged.
"And Mrs. Pomfret tells me they play many detestable tricks on you—yes?"
"Tricks!" exclaimed Mr. Crewe, the memory of many recent ones being fresh in his mind; "I should say so. Do you know what a caucus is?"
"Caucus—caucus? It brings something to my head. Ah, I have seen a picture of it, in some English book. A very funny picture—it is in fun, yes?"
"A picture?" said Mr. Crewe. "Impossible!"
"But no," said the Austrian, earnestly, with one finger to his temples. "It is a funny picture, I know. I cannot recall. But the word caucus I remember. That is a droll word."