I don't know him personally; but you can
now form some idea of his character: and if you want to claim
a peerage," the journalist added laughingly, "he is your man."
A strong impression was on the mind of Morley that this was
his man: he resolved to inquire of Gerard, whom he should see
in the evening, as to the fact of their Hatton being a
Catholic, and if so, to call on the antiquary on the morrow.
In the meantime we must not forget one who is already making
that visit. Sir Vavasour Firebrace is seated in a spacious
library that looks upon the Thames and the gardens of the
Temple. Though piles of parchments and papers cover the
numerous tables, and in many parts intrude upon the Turkey
carpet, an air of order, of comfort, and of taste, pervades
the chamber. The hangings of crimson damask silk blend with
the antique furniture of oak; the upper panes of the windows
are tinted by the brilliant pencil of feudal Germany, while
the choice volumes that line the shelves are clothed in
bindings which become their rare contents. The master of this
apartment was a man of ordinary height, inclined to
corpulency, and in the wane of middle life, though his
unwrinkled cheek, his undimmed blue eye, and his brown hair,
very apparent, though he wore a cap of black velvet, did not
betray his age, or the midnight studies by which he had in a
great degree acquired that learning for which he was
celebrated.
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