human
Precisely, said Calhoun, walking up and down, his head bent.
gpt
England is prepared for war! How much are we prepared? It would cost us the revenues of a quarter of a century to go to war with her to-day. It would cost us fifty thousand lives. We would need an army of two hundred and fifty thousand men. Where is all that to come from? Can we transport our army there in time? But had all this bluster ceased, then we could have deferred this war with Mexico; could have bought with coin what now will cost us blood; and we could also have bought Oregon without the cost of either coin or blood. _Delay_ was what we needed! _All_ of Oregon should have been ours!
human
But, surely, this is not all news to you? I began.
gpt
Have you not seen the Baroness von Ritz? Has she not made her report?
human
The baroness? queried Calhoun.
gpt
That stormy petrel--that advance agent of events! Did she indeed sail with the British ships from Montreal? _Did_ you find her there--in Oregon?
human
Yes, and lost her there! She started east last summer, and beat me fairly in the race. Has she not made known her presence here? She told me she was going to Washington.
gpt
Trouble now, I fear! Pakenham has back his best ally, our worst antagonist.
human
That certainly is strange, said I.
gpt
She had five months the start of me, and in that time there is no telling what she has done or undone. Surely, she is somewhere here, in Washington! She held Texas in her shoes. I tell you she holds Oregon in her gloves to-day!
human
Where are you going? asked Mr. Calhoun of me. Doctor Ward looked at me, smiling.
gpt
He does not inquire of a certain young lady--
human
I am going to find the Baroness von Ritz!
gpt
Republics forget, said he,
human
That is what I am going to find out.
gpt
How then? Are you going to Elmhurst as you look now?
human
No. I shall find out many things by first finding the Baroness von Ritz.