Howard! The
letter of poor Otway, actually written in the first stages of
starvation--only conceive its value!"
Other guests arriving I was obliged to make way, not however,
before Lady Holberton had promised me a sight of her recent
acquisition, in the evening. In the mean time I fully entered into her
satisfaction, for I had already seen her album in Paris, and heard her
sigh for this very addition to its treasures. During dinner the
important intelligence that the Lumley letter was her own, was
imparted to the company generally.
"I knew it! I was sure of it from her smile, the moment I entered the
room!" exclaimed Mr. T----- the distinguished collector, who sat next
me.
Another guest, Miss Rowley, also a collecting celebrity, was sitting
opposite, and turned so pale at the moment, that I was on the point
of officiously recommending a glass of water.
"Have you albums in America, Mr. Howard?" inquired a charming
young lady on my right.
"There is no lack of them, I assure you,"--I replied.
"Really! Adela, Mr. Howard tells me they have albums in America!"
repeated the young lady to a charming sister, near her; while on my
left I had the satisfaction of hearing some gratifying remarks from
Mr. T-----, as to the state of civilization in my native country, as
shown by such a fact.
"And what are your albums like?" again inquired my lovely neighbor.
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