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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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THE LUMLEY AUTOGRAPH
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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THE LUMLEY AUTOGRAPH
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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