The Argosy — page 264: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Winifred Power. 245 John liked a hushed circle of auditors. Even when Mark came in, as he did presently, he took a seat in the background and remained silently attentive. It was quite like a lecture: and the resemblance was further increased by Mrs. Hatherley’s going to sleep and Mrs. Fane’s smothering a yawn or two, the girls meanwhile sitting both up- right, with their eyes very wide open indeed. Sir John was not long in getting off art to his bibliomania—that mysterious quality which the neighbourhood adored in him without comprehending it. Mrs. Fane, eagerly professing interest in Elzevirs and Aldines, he asked her rather sharply if she understood them: and on finding she did not, graciously offered to exhibit his collection. Upon this, the whole party adjourned to the library, even Mrs. Hatherley gathering together her shawls and shuffling tardily after the rest. One after the other, the treasures were produced. A ‘ Theocritus,” printed by Zacharias Calliergi; a Romaunt de la Rose, bound in morocco and stamped with the bees of De Thou; an Elzevir ‘‘ Patissier Francais” (worth a fantastic price); an original quarto of ** Macbeth ;” some plays in the rose-coloured bindings of the grace- less Du Barry; a ‘‘ Manon Lescant ” illustrated by Boucher. “For this,” said Sir John, unlocking a glass-case and producing an illuminated psalter written in gold ona purple ground, “for this I paid £ 800.” There was a universal exclamation. Even Mrs. Hatherley craned her neck towards the object with an air of unusual interest. “It is very old,” continued its possessor, ‘‘as you may see, or might if you understood, by the clearness of the writing and the grotesqueness of the figures.” ‘“‘T have heard that it is difficult to tell whether these psalters are genuine or not,” said Winifred. ‘‘ What are the signs ?” A certain peevishness, if any term so flippant were admissible in regard to him, was visible in Sir John at this question. Contrary to the wont of most collectors, he did not seem to care to exhibit his erudition. “The signs? ‘They have to do with the catchwords. You would be a long while understanding them, my dear young lady,” he added while locking up and restoring the case. ‘‘ Where is your illustrated ‘‘ Gerusalemme Liberata?” asked Mark. ‘IT want to show it to Miss Power. Asan artist, she will appreciate it more than any of us.’ “Why, Mark, I am sure I think it beautiful,” exclaimed Dolly, very naively Sacrieved. “Where is it, sir?” persisted grave Mark, with a slight glance at his young cousin. ‘“‘T have sent it to the binder.” “To the binder?” echoed the young man in surprise. “The binding was perfect, and of the early eighteenth century, I believe.” (A) CON lNOOKS.EO