Mr.Calhoun stood apart for a time, watching the progress of this purely American function.

It was some time ere the groups thinned.

This latter fact usually would have ended the reception, since it is not etiquette to suppose that the president can lack an audience; but to-day Mr.Tyler lingered.

As last through the thinning throng he caught sight of the distinctive figure of Mr.
Calhoun.

For the first time his own face assumed a natural expression.
He stopped the line for an instant, and with a raised hand beckoned to my chief.
At this we dropped in at the tail of the line, Mr.Calhoun in passing grasping almost as many hands as Mr.Tyler.When at length we reached the president's position, the latter greeted him and added a whispered word.