It was curious how cleverly this austere1 old man, unskilled in the arts of gallantry, now handled the problem to which he had addressed himself, even though that meant forecasting the whim2 of yet another woman. It all came easily about, precisely3 as he had planned.
It seemed quite correct for the daughter of our secretary of state to call to inquire for the health of the fair Se?ora Yturrio, and to present the compliments of Madam Calhoun, at that time not in the city of Washington. Matters went so smoothly4 that I felt justified5 in suggesting a little drive, and Se?ora Yturrio had no hesitation6 in accepting. Quite naturally, our stately progress finally brought us close to the residence of Miss Calhoun. That lady suggested that, since the day was warm, it might be well to descend7 and see if we might not find a sherbet; all of which also seemed quite to the wish of the lady from Mexico. The ease and warmth of Mr. Calhoun's greeting to her were such that she soon was well at home and chatting very amiably8. She spoke9 English with but little hesitancy.
Lucrezia Yturrio, at that time not ill known in Washington's foreign colony, was beautiful, in a sensuous10, ripe way. Her hair was dark, heavily coiled, and packed in masses above an oval forehead. Her brows were straight, dark and delicate; her teeth white and strong; her lips red and full; her chin well curved and deep. A round arm and taper11 hand controlled a most artful fan. She was garbed12 now, somewhat splendidly, in a corded cherry-colored silk, wore gems13 enough to start a shop, and made on the whole a pleasing picture of luxury and opulence14. She spoke in a most musical voice, with eyes sometimes cast modestly down. He had been a poor student of her species who had not ascribed to her a wit of her own; but as I watched her, somewhat apart, I almost smiled as I reflected that her grave and courteous15 host had also a wit to match it. Then I almost frowned as I recalled my own defeat in a somewhat similar contest.
Mr. Calhoun expressed great surprise and gratification that mere16 chance had enabled him to meet the wife of a gentleman so distinguished17 in the diplomatic service as Se?or Yturrio. The Se?ora was equally gratified. She hoped she did not make intrusion in thus coming. Mr. Calhoun assured her that he and his were simple in their family life, and always delighted to meet their friends.
"We are especially glad always to hear of our friends from the Southwest," said he, at last, with a slight addition of formality in tone and attitude.
At these words I saw my lady's eyes flicker18. "It is fate, Se?or," said she, again casting down her eyes, and spreading out her hands as in resignation, "fate which left Texas and Mexico not always one."
"That may be," said Mr. Calhoun. "Perhaps fate, also, that those of kin19 should cling together."
"How can a mere woman know?" My lady shrugged20 her very graceful21 and beautiful shoulders—somewhat mature shoulders now, but still beautiful.
"Dear Se?ora," said Mr. Calhoun, "there are so many things a woman may not know. For instance, how could she know if her husband should perchance leave the legation to which he was attached and pay a visit to another nation?"
Again the slight flickering22 of her eyes, but again her hands were outspread in protest.
"How indeed, Se?or?"
"What if my young aide here, Mr. Trist, should tell you that he has seen your husband some hundreds of miles away and in conference with a lady supposed to be somewhat friendly towards—"
"Ah, you mean that baroness23—!"
So soon had the shaft24 gone home! Her woman's jealousy25 had offered a point unexpectedly weak. Calhoun bowed, without a smile upon his face.
"Mr. Pakenham, the British minister, is disposed to be friendly to this same lady. Your husband and a certain officer of the British Navy called upon this same lady last week in Montreal—informally. It is sometimes unfortunate that plans are divulged26. To me it seemed only wise and fit that you should not let any of these little personal matters make for us greater complications in these perilous27 times. I think you understand me, perhaps, Se?ora Yturrio?"
She gurgled low in her throat at this, any sort of sound, meaning to remain ambiguous. But Calhoun was merciless.
"It is not within dignity, Se?ora, for me to make trouble between a lady and her husband. But we must have friends with us under our flag, or know that they are not our friends. You are welcome in my house. Your husband is welcome in the house of our republic. There are certain duties, even thus."
Only now and again she turned upon him the light of her splendid eyes, searching him.
"If I should recall again, gently, my dear Se?ora, the fact that your husband was with that particular woman—if I should say, that Mexico has been found under the flag of England, while supposed to be under our flag—if I should add that one of the representatives of the Mexican legation had been discovered in handing over to England certain secrets of this country and of the Republic of Texas—why, then, what answer, think you, Se?ora, Mexico would make to me?"
"But Se?or Calhoun does not mean—does not dare to say—"
"I do dare it; I do mean it! I can tell you all that Mexico plans, and all that Texas plans. All the secrets are out; and since we know them, we purpose immediate28 annexation29 of the Republic of Texas! Though it means war, Texas shall be ours! This has been forced upon us by the perfidy30 of other nations."
He looked her full in the eye, his own blue orbs31 alight with resolution. She returned his gaze, fierce as a tigress. But at last she spread out her deprecating hands.
"Se?or," she said, "I am but a woman. I am in the Se?or Secretary's hands. I am even in his hand. What can he wish?"
"In no unfair way, Se?ora, I beg you to understand, in no improper32 way are you in our hands. But now let us endeavor to discover some way in which some of these matters may be composed. In such affairs, a small incident is sometimes magnified and taken in connection with its possible consequences. You readily may see, Se?ora, that did I personally seek the dismissal of your husband, possibly even the recall of General Almonte, his chief, that might be effected without difficulty."
"You seek war, Se?or Secretary! My people say that your armies are in Texas now, or will be."
"They are but very slightly in advance of the truth, Se?ora," said Calhoun grimly. "For me, I do not believe in war when war can be averted33. But suppose it could be averted? Suppose the Se?ora Yturrio herself could avert34 it? Suppose the Se?ora could remain here still, in this city which she so much admires? A lady of so distinguished beauty and charm is valuable in our society here."
He bowed to her with stately grace. If there was mockery in his tone, she could not catch it; nor did her searching eyes read his meaning.
"See," he resumed, "alone, I am helpless in this situation. If my government is offended, I can not stop the course of events. I am not the Senate; I am simply an officer in our administration—a very humble35 officer of his Excellency our president, Mr. Tyler."
My lady broke out in a peal36 of low, rippling37 laughter, her white teeth gleaming. It was, after all, somewhat difficult to trifle with one who had been trained in intrigue38 all her life.
Calhoun laughed now in his own quiet way. "We shall do better if we deal entirely39 frankly40, Se?ora," said he. "Let us then waste no time. Frankly, then, it would seem that, now the Baroness von Ritz is off the scene, the Se?ora Yturrio would have all the better title and opportunity in the affections of—well, let us say, her own husband!"
She bent41 toward him now, her lips open in a slow smile, all her subtle and dangerous beauty unmasking its batteries. The impression she conveyed was that of warmth and of spotted42 shadows such as play upon the leopard's back, such as mark the wing of the butterfly, the petal43 of some flower born in a land of heat and passion. But Calhoun regarded her calmly, his finger tips together, and spoke as deliberately44 as though communing with himself. "It is but one thing, one very little thing."
"And what is that, Se?or?" she asked at length.
"The signature of Se?or Van Zandt, attaché for Texas, on this memorandum45 of treaty between the United States and Texas."
Bowing, he presented to her the document to which he had earlier directed my own attention. "We are well advised that Se?or Van Zandt is trafficking this very hour with England as against us," he explained. "We ask the gracious assistance of Se?ora Yturrio. In return we promise her—silence!"
"I can not—it is impossible!" she exclaimed, as she glanced at the pages. "It is our ruin—!"
"No, Se?ora," said Calhoun sternly; "it means annexation of Texas to the United States. But that is not your ruin. It is your salvation46. Your country well may doubt England, even England bearing gifts!"
"I have no control over Se?or Van Zandt—he is the enemy of my country!" she began.
Calhoun now fixed47 upon her the full cold blue blaze of his singularly penetrating48 eyes. "No, Se?ora," he said sternly; "but you have access to my friend Mr. Polk, and Mr. Polk is the friend of Mr. Jackson, and they two are friends of Mr. Van Zandt; and Texas supposes that these two, although they do not represent precisely my own beliefs in politics, are for the annexation of Texas, not to England, but to America. There is good chance Mr. Polk may be president. If you do not use your personal influence with him, he may consult politics and not you, and so declare war against Mexico. That war would cost you Texas, and much more as well. Now, to avert that war, do you not think that perhaps you can ask Mr. Polk to say to Mr. Van Zandt that his signature on this little treaty would end all such questions simply, immediately, and to the best benefit of Mexico, Texas and the United States? Treason? Why, Se?ora, 'twould be preventing treason!"
Her face was half hidden by her fan, and her eyes, covered by their deep lids, gave no sign of her thoughts. The same cold voice went on:
"You might, for instance, tell Mr. Polk, which is to say Mr. Van Zandt, that if his name goes on this little treaty for Texas, nothing will be said to Texas regarding his proposal to give Texas over to England. It might not be safe for that little fact generally to be known in Texas as it is known to me. We will keep it secret. You might ask Mr. Van Zandt if he would value a seat in the Senate of these United States, rather than a lynching rope! So much do I value your honorable acquaintance with Mr. Polk and with Mr. Van Zandt, my dear lady, that I do not go to the latter and demand his signature in the name of his republic—no, I merely suggest to you that did you take this little treaty for a day, and presently return it to me with his signature attached, I should feel so deeply gratified that I should not ask you by what means you had attained49 this most desirable result! And I should hope that if you could not win back the affections of a certain gentleman, at least you might win your own evening of the scales with him."
Her face colored darkly. In a flash she saw the covert50 allusion51 to the faithless Pakenham. Here was the chance to cut him to the soul. She could cost England Texas! Revenge made its swift appeal to her savage52 heart. Revenge and jealousy, handled coolly, mercilessly as weapons—those cost England Texas!
She sat, her fan tight at her white teeth. "It would be death to me if it were known," she said. But still she pondered, her eye alight with somber53 fire, her dark cheek red in a woman's anger.
"But it never will be known, my dear lady. These things, however, must be concluded swiftly. We have not time to wait. Let us not argue over the unhappy business. Let me think of Mexico as our sister republic and our friend!"
"And suppose I shall not do this that you ask, Se?or?"
"That, my dear lady, I do not suppose!"
"You threaten, Se?or Secretary?"
"On the contrary, I implore54! I ask you not to be treasonable to any, but to be our ally, our friend, in what in my soul I believe a great good for the peoples of the world. Without us, Texas will be the prey55 of England. With us, she will be working out her destiny. In our graveyard56 of state there are many secrets of which the public never knows. Here shall be one, though your heart shall exult57 in its possession. Dear lady, may we not conspire58 together—for the ultimate good of three republics, making of them two noble ones, later to dwell in amity59? Shall we not hope to see all this continent swept free of monarchy60, held free, for the peoples of the world?"
For an instant, no more, she sat and pondered. Suddenly she bestowed61 upon him a smile whose brilliance62 might have turned the head of another man. Rising, she swept him a curtsey whose grace I have not seen surpassed.
In return, Mr. Calhoun bowed to her with dignity and ease, and, lifting her hand, pressed it to his lips. Then, offering her an arm, he led her to his carriage. I could scarce believe my eyes and ears that so much, and of so much importance, had thus so easily been accomplished63, where all had seemed so near to the impossible.
When last I saw my chief that day he was sunk in his chair, white to the lips, his long hands trembling, fatigue64 written all over his face and form; but a smile still was on his grim mouth. "Nicholas," said he, "had I fewer politicians and more women behind me, we should have Texas to the Rio Grande, and Oregon up to Russia, and all without a war!"
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1
austere
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| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
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whim
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| n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想 | |
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3
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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7
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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8
amiably
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| adv.和蔼可亲地，亲切地 | |
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9
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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10
sensuous
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| adj.激发美感的；感官的，感觉上的 | |
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taper
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| n.小蜡烛，尖细，渐弱；adj.尖细的；v.逐渐变小 | |
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12
garbed
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| v.（尤指某类人穿的特定）服装，衣服，制服( garb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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13
gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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opulence
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| n.财富，富裕 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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18
flicker
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| vi./n.闪烁，摇曳，闪现 | |
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19
kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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20
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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flickering
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| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
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baroness
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| n.男爵夫人，女男爵 | |
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24
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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26
divulged
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| v.吐露，泄露( divulge的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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annexation
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| n.吞并，合并 | |
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perfidy
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| n.背信弃义，不忠贞 | |
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31
orbs
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| abbr.off-reservation boarding school 在校寄宿学校n.球，天体，圆形物( orb的名词复数 ) | |
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32
improper
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| adj.不适当的，不合适的，不正确的，不合礼仪的 | |
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33
averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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34
avert
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| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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35
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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36
peal
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| n.钟声；v.鸣响 | |
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rippling
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| 起涟漪的，潺潺流水般声音的 | |
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intrigue
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| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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41
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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42
spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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petal
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| n.花瓣 | |
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deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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45
memorandum
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| n.备忘录，便笺 | |
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46
salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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47
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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48
penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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49
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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50
covert
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| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
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51
allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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52
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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53
somber
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| adj.昏暗的，阴天的，阴森的，忧郁的 | |
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54
implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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55
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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56
graveyard
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| n.坟场 | |
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57
exult
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| v.狂喜，欢腾；欢欣鼓舞 | |
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58
conspire
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| v.密谋，（事件等）巧合，共同导致 | |
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59
amity
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| n.友好关系 | |
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60
monarchy
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| n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国 | |
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61
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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62
brilliance
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| n.光辉，辉煌，壮丽，（卓越的）才华，才智 | |
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63
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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64
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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