LORD COMBERMERE. 283 



He was sitting at his escritoir at the 

 window, with his back towards me, ap- 

 parently engaged in literary composition. 

 His man-servant walked up to him, gave 

 him a note, and instantly retired. With- 

 out casting a glance at me, or asking any 

 question, he handed me the note, not 

 even turning his head, and said 



"Have the goodness to open that, sir, 

 will you ? " 



Strange as I thought such a request, 

 I complied, and of course made myself 

 acquainted with the contents. After some 

 few minutes, still remaining in the same 

 attitude, he said 



"Have you read it, sir?" 



" I have." 



"Who is it from?" 



"Lord Combermere, Sir Astley." 



"Do you know him?" he said. 



"I have seen him when he was Sir 

 Stapleton Cotton," 



