'You will know him at once,' added Mr.Murray, 'he is sitting on the sofa near the fire-place.' We found Sir Walter talking to Mr.
Gifford, then the Editor of the _Quarterly Review_.

The room was filled with men and women, and among them several of the principal authors and authoresses of the day; but my attention was so fixed on Sir Walter and Mr.Gifford that I took little notice of the rest.

Many of those present were engaged in looking at and making remarks upon a drawing, which represented a Venetian Countess (Guiccioli), the favourite, but not very respectable friend of Lord Byron.

Mr.Murray made his way through the throng in order to lead us up to Sir Walter.

We were introduced.