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 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.
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