It
was from Mr. Brown. Notes from him were of daily occurrence, but this
contained an open letter the writing of which was strangely familiar to
her--it did not need the signature "Ralph Corbet," to tell her whom the
letter came from. For some moments she could not read the words. They
expressed a simple enough request, and were addressed to the auctioneer
who was to dispose of the rather valuable library of the late Mr. Ness,
and whose name had been advertised in connection with the sale, in the
_Athenaeum_, and other similar papers. To him Mr. Corbet wrote, saying
that he should be unable to be present when the books were sold, but that
he wished to be allowed to buy in, at any price decided upon, a certain
rare folio edition of _Virgil_, bound in parchment, and with notes in
Italian. The book was fully described. Though no Latin scholar, Ellinor
knew the book well--remembered its look from old times, and could
instantly have laid her hand upon it. The auctioneer had sent the
request onto his employer, Mr. Brown. That gentleman applied to Ellinor
for her consent. She saw that the fact of the intended sale must be all
that Mr. Corbet was aware of, and that he could not know to whom the
books belonged. She chose out the book, and wrapped and tied it up with
trembling hands. _He_ might be the person to untie the knot.
Pages:
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205