I ventured to excuse Lady Holberton by suggesting that probably at the time her stock of notabilities was low.
Miss Rowley shook her head, and curled her lip, as if she fancied the lady had only been seeking to drive a hard bargain.
"On one point, however, I have carried the day, Mr. Howard. Lady Holberton is not a little proud of her Vidocq; but I have obtained one far superior to hers, one addressed to myself so piquant and gallant too. I called on the dear old burglar on purpose to coax him into writing me a note."
{Vidocq = Francois Vidocq (1775-1857), French police detective who turned robber, and was exposed in 1832.}
I wondered, in petto, whether I should meet any illustrious convicts at Miss Rowley's party the next evening; but remembering to have heard her called an exclusive, it did not seem very probable.
{in petto = silently, to oneself (Latin)}
After running her eye over the list again, Miss Rowley made another inquiry.
"Mr. Howard, could you get me something from an American Colonel?"
I assured the lady we had colonels of all sorts, and begged to know what particular variety she had placed on her catalogue—was it an officer of the regular service, or one of no service at all?
"Oh, the last, certainly—officers who have seen service are so commonplace!"