human
Changes of maps, my friend? Listen to me. The geography of America for the next fifty years rests under a little roof over in M Street to-night--a roof which Sir Richard secretly maintains. The map of the United States, I tell you, is covered with a down counterpane _à deux_, to-night. You ask me to go on with my fight. I answer, first I must find the woman. Now, I say, I have found her, as you know. Also, I have told you _where_ I have found her. Under a counterpane! Texas, Oregon, these United States under a counterpane!
gpt
I don't pretend to know now all you mean.
human
Listen, then, and I will tell you what John Calhoun means--John Calhoun, who has loved his own state, who has hated those who hated him, who has never prayed for those who despitefully used him, who has fought and will fight, since all insist on that. It is true Tyler has offered me again to-day the portfolio of secretary of state. Shall I take it? If I do, it means that I am employed by this administration to secure the admission of Texas. Can you believe me when I tell you that my ambition is for it all--_all_, every foot of new land, west to the Pacific, that we can get, slave _or_ free? Can you believe John Calhoun, pro-slavery advocate and orator all his life, when he says that he believes he is an humble instrument destined, with God's aid, and through the use of such instruments as our human society affords, to build, _not_ a wider slave country, but a wider America?
gpt
It would be worth the fight of a few years more, Calhoun, gravely answered his old friend.
human
I admit I had not dreamed this of you.
gpt
History will not write it of me, perhaps, went on my chief.
human
But you tell me to fight, and now I shall fight, and in my own way. I tell you, that answer shall go to Pakenham. And I tell you, Pakenham shall not _dare_ take offense at me. War with Mexico we possibly, indeed certainly, shall have. War on the Northwest, too, we yet may have unless--
gpt
Unless what, John? What do you mean--still hearing the rustle of skirts?
human
Yes!--unless the celebrated Baroness Helena von Ritz says otherwise!
gpt
How dignified a diplomacy have we here! You plan war between two embassies on the distaff side!
human
I do not say so, he made answer;
gpt
Nicholas, said Calhoun, turning to me suddenly, but with his invariable kindliness of tone,
human
I have unavoidably heard this lady's name,
gpt
You will find the lady's name above the seal. Take her this message from me. Yes, your errand is to bring the least known and most talked of woman in Washington, alone, unattended save by yourself, to a gentleman's apartments, to his house, at a time past the hour of midnight! That gentleman is myself! You must not take any answer in the negative.
human
I choose my young aide, Mr. Trist here, for good reasons. He is just back from six months in the wilderness, and may be shy; but once he had a way with women, so they tell me--and you know, in approaching the question _ad feminam_ we operate _per hominem_.
gpt
I do not doubt the young man's sincerity and faithfulness, said he.
human
I was only questioning one thing.
gpt
Yes?
human
His age.
gpt
Nicholas, said he,