the lumley autograph(卢母雷手迹)-第8节
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time。 The parting with Lady Holberton was melancholy； she was much
depressed； and the physicians had recommended the waters of Wiesbaden。
Mr。 T… was also preparing for an excursion to Germany； and he was
suspected of vascillating ｛sic｝ in his Butlerite views； brought over by
Lady Holberton's tears and logic。
Returning to London； some three months later； I found many of my
former acquaintainces ｛sic｝ were absent； but Lady Holberton； Miss
Rowley； and Mr。 T… were all in town again。 The day after I arrived… …it
was Tuesday the 20th of Augustas I was walking along Piccadilly； about
five o'clock in the afternoon； my eye fell on the windows of Mr。 Thorpe's
great establishment。 I was thinking over his last catalogue of autographs；
when I happened to observe a plain； modest…looking young girl casting a
timid glance at the door。 There was something anxious and hesitating in
her manner； which attracted my attention。 Accustomed； like most
Americans； to assist a woman in any little difficulty； and with notions
better suited perhaps to the meridian of Yankee…land than that of London； I
asked if she were in any trouble。 How richly was I rewarded for the act of
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good… nature！ She blushed and courtesied ｛sic｝。
｛Tuesday； 20th of August = does this date the final composition of
〃The Lumley Autograph〃 or of its setting？ August 20 fell on a Tuesday in
1844 and 1850｝
〃Please； sir； is it true that they pay money for old letters at this place？〃
〃They dohave you any thing of the kind to dispose of？〃
Judge of my gratification； my amazement； when she produced the
Lumley Autograph！
Of course I instantly took it； at her own priceonly half a guinea and
I further gave her Lady Holberton's address； that she might claim the
liberal reward promised far the precious letter。 Tears came into the poor
child's eyes when she found what awaited her； and I may as well observe
at once that this young girl proved to be the daughter of a poor bed…ridden
artisan of Clapham； who had seen better days； but was then in great want。
It is an ill…wind that blows no good luck； and the contest for the Lumley
Autograph was a great advantage to the poor artisan and his family。 The
girl had picked up the paper early one morning； in a road near Clapham； as
she was going to her work； Lady Holberton gave her a handful of guineas
as the promised rewarda sum by the bye just double in amount what the
poor poet had received for his best poemand she also continued to look
after the family in their troubles。
But to return to the important document itself。 Never can I forget the
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；
