I saw him and that mysterious lady fall into a conversation as grave as that which had but now been ended.

I guessed, rather than reasoned, that in some mysterious way I came into their talk.

But presently both approached me.
"Mr.Trist," said Mr.Calhoun, "I beg you to hand the Baroness von Ritz to her carriage, which will wait at the avenue." We were then standing near the door at the head of the steps.
"I see my friend Mr.Polk approaching," he continued, "and I would like to have a word or so with him." We three walked in company down the steps and a short distance along the walk, until presently we faced the gentleman whose approach had been noted.

We paused in a little group under the shade of an avenue tree, and the gentlemen removed their hats as Mr.Calhoun made a somewhat formal introduction.
At that time, of course, James K.Polk, of Tennessee, was not the national figure he was soon to become at the Baltimore convention.

He was known best as Speaker of the House for some time, and as a man experienced in western politics, a friend of Jackson, who still controlled a large wing of the disaffected; the Democratic party then being scarce more than a league of warring cliques.