human
Come in, said he.
gpt
Come in with me, and have a Dream. I have just invented a new touch for it; I have, 'pon my word.
human
Jack, I exclaimed, grasping him by the shoulder,
gpt
Certainly, certainly, he said;
human
You may have a Dream, said I;
gpt
What is the matter? Lady, this time?
human
Two of them.
gpt
Indeed? One apiece, eh?
human
None apiece, perhaps. In any case, you lose.
gpt
Then the names--or at least one?
human
You know Miss Elisabeth Churchill?
gpt
And about the other lady?
human
I can not tell you much about her, said I;
gpt
I have but little knowledge myself. I mean the Baroness von Ritz.
human
Oh, ho! Jack opened his eyes, and gave a long whistle.
gpt
State secrets, eh?
human
Well, why should you ask me to help you, then? Calhoun is none too good a friend of Mr. Polk, of my state. Calhoun is neither Whig nor Democrat. He does not know where he stands. If you train with him, why come to our camp for help?
gpt
Not that sort, jack, I answered.
human
The favor I ask is personal.
gpt
Explain.
human
I must be quick. I have in my possession--on the bureau in my little room at my quarters in Brown's Hotel--a slipper which the baroness gave me last night--a white satin slipper--
gpt
Good God!
human
Quite right, I retorted hotly.
gpt
Accuse me Anything you like! But go to my headquarters, get that slipper, go to this address with it --I scrawled on a piece of paper and thrust it at him--
human
Listen to what I am to do in the meantime. First I go post haste to Mr. Calhoun's office. Then I am to take his message, which will send me to Canada, to-night. After I have my orders I hurry back to Brown's and dress for my wedding.
gpt
Your wedding?
human
Yes, Miss Elisabeth and I concluded this very morning not to wait. I would ask you to help me as my best man, if I dare.
gpt
You do dare, said he.
human
You're all a-fluster. Go on; I'll get a parson--how'll Doctor Halford do?--and I'd take care of the license for you if I could--Gad! sorry it's not my own!
gpt
You are the finest fellow in the world, Jack. I have only one thing more to ask --I pointed to the splintered glass upon the floor--
human
Don't get another.
gpt
Of course not, of course not!