the lumley autograph(卢母雷手迹)-第7章
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expressive gratitude that beamed on the fine countenance of Lady
Holberton when I restored it once more to her possession。 She rapidly
recovered her health and spirits； and it was generally reported that seizing
this favorable moment； Mr。 T… had offered himself and his collection；
and that both had been graciously accepted。 Miss Rowley called and a sort
of paix platree was made up between the ladies。 A cargo of American
autographs arrived containing the letter of the Cherokee editor； the sign…
manual of governors and colonels without number； and I even succeeded
in obtaining epistles from several noted rowdies； especially to gratify the
ladies。 Lady Holberton made her selection； and the rest were divided
between Miss Rowley and Mr。 T…。 Joy at the recovery of the Lumley
Autograph seemed to diffuse an unusual spirit of harmony among
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collectors； many desirable exchanges were brought about and things
looked charmingly。 Alas； how little were we prepared for what ensued！
｛paix platree = patched…up peace （French）｝
On the occasion of the presence in London of two illustrious royal
travelers； Lady Holberton gave a large party。 So said the papers at least；
but I knew better。 It was chiefly to celebrate the recovery of the Lumley
Autograph； and its restoration to her celebrated Album that the fete was
given。 The Album was produced； in spite of a half… formed vow of Lady
Holberton to the contrary； but then His Royal Highness Prince … …
had particularly requested to see the letter of the poor poet； having heard it
mentioned at dinner。 The evening passed off brilliantly； their royal
highnesses； came； saw； and departed。 The crowd followed them to another
house； while a favored few； chiefly collectors； remained lingering about
the table on which lay the Album。 I should have said earlier； that Lady
Holberton had appointed a new office in her household the very day after
the loss of the Lumley Autograph； this was no other than a pretty little
page； dressed in the old costume of a student of Padua； whose sole duty it
was to watch over the Album whenever it was removed from the rich and
heavy case in which it usually lay enshrined。 He was the guard of the
Album； and was strictly enjoined never； for one instant； to remove his eyes
from the precious volume from the moment he was placed on duty； until
relieved。
Well； there we were； some dozen of us； collected about the table； Lady
Holberton looking triumphant； Mr。 T… very proud； and there stood the
page of the Album； dressed in his Paduasoy gown； with eyes fastened on
the book； according to orders； while he supported its gorgeous case in his
arms。 Some remark was made as to the extraordinary manner in which the
precious Autograph had been lost； and then found again。 My blood
actually boiled； as one of the company turned to me and asked in a
suspicious tone； if I did not know more of its history than I chose to
confess？ My indignation was boundless； fortunately I could produce the
friend walking with me in Piccadilly； and the artisan's family at Clapham；
as witnesses in my favor。 Miss Rowley was standing near me at the
moment。
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｛Paduasoy = a strong corded or gros…grain silk fabric； traditionally
associated with Padua； Italy｝
〃Still； Mr。 Howard；〃 observed that lady； 〃I really cannot see why you
should resent the insinuation so warmly。 Now； do you know； I am not at all
sorry to have it in my power to declare that I have some knowledge of the
fate of that paper during its eclipse。〃
All eyes were instantly fixed on the speaker。 The lady smiled and
continued：
〃Lady Holberton thinks the Lumley Autograph was stolenI
understand she even thought it was stolen by myself〃
She here turned deliberately toward our hostess； who looked uneasy。
〃If such were your suspicions； Lady Holberton；〃 continued Miss
Rowley； speaking with great deliberation〃I am happy to say they were
quite correctyou only did me justiceI am proud to declare the deed was
mine〃
We were all speechless at hearing this sudden and bold avowal。
〃It was I； Theodosia Rowley； who carried offthe word is of little
consequencewho stole； I repeat； that precious paper。 So long as the
treasure was mine； the consciousness of possessing it was sufficient in
itselfbut having afterward lost it from my pocket by unpardonable
carelessness； I shall at least now glory in the daring deed which made it
once my own。〃
Conceive the amazement which these remarksdelivered with calm
enthusiasmproduced among the listening circle。 We all know that high
crimes and misdemeanors enough are committed by men； and women too；
but somehow or other the delinquents are not often given to talking of
them； they would just as lief in general that the act should not be known。
The effect of Miss Rowley's words was different on different individuals。
As for myself； I involuntarily felt for the handkerchief in my pocket。 The
page of the album drew nearer。 Lady Holberton looked aghast； as though
she had seen a cannibal。 Some bit their lips； others opened their eyes。 Mr。
T…； however； who held the album at the moment； and was bending over
it when Miss Rowley began her extraordinary disclosure； raised his eyes；
fixed his glasses on the fair speaker； and sent through them such a glance
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as no words can fully describe。 It was a glance of intense admiration。
〃What exalted views！ What sublime sentiments！〃 he exclaimed in an
ecstasy。
But Mr。 T…'s blaze of admiration was not the only flame at work；
while he was gazing at the heroine of the moment。 In the sudden burst of
enthusiasm roused by the fair purloiner； he forgot all else； the precious
volume in his hand drooped； touched the flame of a wax…light on the table；
and in another instant the great Holberton Album； that Album of European
reputationwas burning before our eyesits invaluable leaves were
curling； and blackening； and smoking under the devouring flame！
A shriek from Lady Holbertonan unearthly cry from the page of the
Albumboth echoed by the spectators； came too late。 The volume was
half consumed。 Of the Lumley Autograph not a line remained！
Such was the ill…fated end of the letter of the poor starving poet。 It was
written amid gloom and distress； its career closed in a stormy hour。 The
loss of the Album of course broke off the engagement between Lady
Holberton and Mr。 T…。 This however could scarcely have been regretted
under the circumstances； for their union； after the catastrophe must have
been one long series of miserable reproaches。 The sudden change in Mr。 T…
's feelings toward Miss Rowley was not a momentary one； the
admiration first kindled by that lady's bold declaration； grew to be the
strongest sentiment of his heart； and only a few weeks later he was made
the happiest of men by receiving as his own the fair hand which
accomplished the deed。 Miss Rowley and Mr。 T… were united in the
bands of matrimony and collectorship。 Lady Holberton was still
inconsolable when I left London； she was thinking of traveling among the
Hottentots； or in any other clime where albums are unknown and her loss
could be forgotten。 The journey to Kaffirland was however postponed
until the next change of ministry； and I have learned recently that the lady
has so far recovered her spirits as to be thinking of an 'Omnibus。' The very
last packet； indeed； brought a flattering application to myself； Lady
Holberton graciously declaring that the name of Jonathan Howard is not
only valued by herself； as that of a friend； but interesting to collectors
generally； as having been once connected with that much lamented
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document； now lost to the world； the letter of the poor starving poet；
known as the Lumley Autograph。
｛〃Omnibus〃 = in this context； an 〃omnibus bill〃 （i。e。； one dealing with
a variety of subject） in Parliament｝
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