Page:Tex; a chapter in the life of Alexander Teixeira de Mattos (IA texchapterinlife00mcke).pdf/130



of a Nobody''. I bought it and began to shake with laughter at Rosebery's being such an ass. But, after a few pages, I began to see what he meant; and then, time after time, I nearly rolled off my long-chair with laughing not at Rosebery but with him. I'd lend it you, but it'll only cost you 3/6; and I want you to have it as a companion volume to The Diary.''

''However, if you will not buy it, I will lend it to you. You've "got" to read it, or I will never write you another letter.''

And on 23. 7. 20:

Some 32 years ago, "Pearl Hobbes" wrote to me that I ought to translate Balzac; and I am sorry it is too late for me to do Goriot''. I am rereading it all the same with much enjoyment, though I think that these gala editions should be at least as well translated as my Lutetian set of six Zola novels.''

Huxley, in his little autobiography, writes:

"As Rastignac, in the Père Goriot, says to Paris, I said to London:

"'A nous deux!'"

I remembered that this came at the end of the book, turned to it and found:

"Rastignac saw beneath him Paris, The glance he darted on this buzzing hive seemed