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.