Part 3 (1/2)

I a.s.sured Lady Holberton that in this respect she only did me justice; and, in fact, a theft of the kind she alluded to appeared to me all but incredible.

”Remember that it was only the other day that ---- lost his invaluable alb.u.m; remember that last winter Madame de ---- had all her notes on botanical subjects stolen from her own portfolio--and I could mention a dozen instances of the same wickedness.”

These facts were already known to me, but I had forgotten them. I remarked with a glow of national pride, that we certainly were much more virtuous in these matters across the ocean; in America we are much above pilfering autographs; when we do steal, it is by the volume--we seize all an author's stock in trade at one swoop, and without condescending to say even, thank ye, for it.

{author's stock in trade = though ostensibly referring to the stealing of autographs, Susan Fenimore Cooper is also clearly referring to the widespread pirating of British and other foreign literary works by American publishers, in the absence of international copyright laws--which not only cheated the authors, but made life difficult for American authors expecting to be paid for their creations}

”So I have always understood, Mr. Howard--and I felt that my alb.u.m was safe with you,” observed Lady Holberton, with tears in her eyes.

Wis.h.i.+ng to relieve this distress, I proposed advertising for the lost treasure--applying to the police.

Lady Holberton smiled through her tears, as she a.s.sured me that the police, old and new, had been enlisted in her service an hour after the discovery of her loss, while communications had been opened with the munic.i.p.al governments of Brussels, Paris, and Vienna, on the same subject.

{police, old and new = the first modern English police force had been established in 1829 by Sir Robert Peel -- from which the British nickname of ”bobby” for policeman.}

”And have you no clue, no suspicions?--your servants--your maid?”

The aspersion on her household was indignantly repelled.

”You will readily believe, Mr. Howard, that a collector, the owner of such an alb.u.m as I have the honor of possessing, is particularly careful as to whom she admits into her family. I will vouch for all about me; still I have suspicions--but--”

I begged her to speak, if she thought I could be of the least a.s.sistance.

”Yes, I will trust my son's friend. Mr. Howard, I here solemnly accuse Theodosia Rowley of having stolen the Lumley Autograph!”

The dignity of manner, the concentrated pa.s.sion of expression, the strength of emphasis with which Lady Holberton spoke, would have done honor to a Siddons. The natural start of horror and amazement on my part, was also, no doubt, very expressive--for I was speechless with surprise.

”I see you do not credit this,” continued the lady.

But thought, like a flash of lightning, had already recalled some circ.u.mstances of the last evening at Holberton-House. I did credit the accusation, and immediately informed Lady Holberton of what I had observed, but forgotten, until reminded of the facts by her own remarks. I had seen Miss Rowley, bending low over the alb.u.m at a moment when some one was telling an exceedingly humorous story which engrossed the attention of the rest of the company.

”Could she have had an accomplice?” cried the lady, with das.h.i.+ng eyes.

I knew nothing on that point. But, I added, that soon after Miss Rowley had left the room very quietly; and as I followed her to fulfill another engagement, she had started, turned pale, and betrayed much nervousness, scarcely allowing me to a.s.sist her to her carriage, although we left the house at the same instant.

Lady Holberton's suspicions were now confirmed beyond a doubt.

”And yet it seems incredible that any lady should be guilty of such conduct!” I exclaimed, almost repenting having allowed the previous remarks to pa.s.s my lips. ”Miss Rowley is undoubtedly a woman of principle--or good moral standing.”

”Moral standing!--principle!” exclaimed Lady Holberton, bitterly. ”Yes, where an autograph is concerned, Theodosia Rowley has all the principle of a Magpie.”

{Magpie = European bird known for stealing and hiding small bright objects.}

Whatever might have been the fact, it was clear at least that Lady Holberton's opinion was now unalterably made up.

”Remember, she is a Butlerite!” added the lady, thus putting the last touch to the circ.u.mstantial evidence against Miss Rowley.

Weeks pa.s.sed by. The advertis.e.m.e.nts remained unanswered. The police could give no information. Lady Holberton was in despair; the physicians declared that her health must eventually give way under the anxiety and disappointment consequent upon this melancholy affair. Much sympathy was felt for the afflicted lady; even Miss Rowley called often to condole, but she was never admitted.

”I could not see the crocodile!” exclaimed Lady Holberton, quite thrown off her guard one day, by the sight of Miss Rowley's card which she threw into the fire.

Some consolation, however, appeared to be derived from the a.s.siduous attentions of Mr. T----, who personally admired Lady Holberton; at least he professed to do so, though some persons accused him of interested views, and aiming at her alb.u.m rather than herself. But although his attentions were received, yet nothing could afford full consolation. At length, all other means failing, at the end of a month, it was proposed that two persons, mutual friends of Lady Holberton and Miss Rowley, should call on the latter lady, and appeal privately to her sense of honor, to restore the autograph if it were actually in her possession. This plan was finally agreed on; but the very day it was to have been carried into execution, Miss Rowley left town for an excursion in Finland.