Page:Behind the scenes, or, Thirty years a slave and four years in the White House.djvu/233

Rh At one of the receptions at the White House, shortly after the first inauguration, Mrs. Lincoln joined in the promenade with Senator Douglas. He was holding a bouquet that had been presented to her, and as they moved along he said: "Mary, it reminds me of old times to have you lean upon my arm." "You refer to the days of our youth. I must do you the credit, Mr. Douglas, to say, that you were a gallant beau." "Not only a beau, but a lover. Do you remember the night our flirtation was brought to an end?" "Distinctly. You now see that I was right. I am Mrs. President, but not Mrs. Douglas." "True, you have reached the goal before me, but I do not despair. Mrs. Douglas—a nobler woman does not live—if I am spared, may possibly succeed you as Mrs. President." A few evenings after Mr. Douglas had been discarded, Mr. Lincoln made a formal proposal