第 7 节
作者:
白寒 更新:2021-04-30 15:47 字数:9320
The following morning I called to inquire; and received for answer that
〃her ladyship was very much indisposed。〃 It was not until a week later that
I saw Lady Holberton herself; taking the air in Hyde Park。 She looked
wretchedlythin and pale。 I inquired from the English friend with whom I
was riding; if there was any probability of a change of ministry? He
looked surprised; and then catching the direction of my eye; he observed;
〃You ask on Lady Holberton's account; but Sir A… B… tells me
her illness was caused by the loss of the Lumley Autograph。〃
This unexpected intelligence proved only too true。 On returning to my
lodgings; I found a note from Lady Holberton; requesting to see me; and;
of course; immediately obeyed the summons。
〃Lost!lost!lost! Mr。 Howard!〃 said the lady; endeavoring to conceal
her emotion; as she gave me the details of her affliction。
〃It must have been stolenbasely stolenon the evening of my party。
Oh! why did I so foolishly exhibit it among so many people; and collectors
among them; too! Never again will I admit more than one collector at a
time into the room with my album!〃 she exclaimed with energy。
I was shocked; surely Lady Holberton did not conceive it possible that
any of her guests could be guilty of such base conduct?
〃How little you know them! But it is that; Mr。 Howard; which has
interested me in your favoryou have so much naivete; and ignorance of
the moral turpitude of the old world; that I feel convinced you never could
be guilty of such an action yourself。〃
I assured 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
album; remember that last winter Madame de … had all her notes on
botanical subjects stolen from her own portfolioand 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
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virtuous in these matters across the ocean; in America we are much above
pilfering autographs; when we do steal; it is by the volumewe 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。 Howardand I felt that my album
was safe with you;〃 observed Lady Holberton; with tears in her eyes。
Wishing to relieve this distress; I proposed advertising for the lost
treasureapplying to the police。
Lady Holberton smiled through her tears; as she assured 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
municipal 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 servantsyour maid?〃
The aspersion on her household was indignantly repelled。
〃You will readily believe; Mr。 Howard; that a collector; the owner of
such an album 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 suspicionsbut〃
I begged her to speak; if she thought I could be of the least assistance。
〃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 passion 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;
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was also; no doubt; very expressivefor 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
circumstances 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 album 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 dashing
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 assist 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 pass my lips。 〃Miss Rowley is undoubtedly a woman of
principleor 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 circumstantial
evidence against Miss Rowley。
Weeks passed by。 The advertisements 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
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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 assiduous
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 album 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。
As for myself; I was also on the wing; and left London about the same
time。 The parting with Lady Holberton was melancholy; she was much