PHIL. Gently, my good Lisardo. A breast thus suddenly changed from the cold of Nova Zembla to the warmth of the torrid zone requires to be ruled with discretion. And yet, luckily for you-- LIS. Speak--are you about to announce the sale of some bibliographical works? PHIL. Even so. To morrow, if I mistake not, GONZALVO'S choice gems, in this way, are to be disposed of. LIS. Consider them as my own. Nothing shall stay me from the possession of them. LYSAND. You speak precipitately. Are you accustomed to attend book-auctions? LIS. No; but I will line my pockets with pistoles, and who dare oppose me? PHIL. And do you imagine that no one, but yourself, has his pockets "lined with pistoles," on these occasions? LIS. It may be so--that other linings are much warmer than my own:--but, at any rate, I will make a glorious struggle, and die with my sword in my hand. PHIL. This is _Book-Madness_ with a vengeance! However, we shall see the issue. When and how do you propose going? LIS. A chaise shall be at this door by nine in the morning. Who will accompany me? LYSAND. Our friend and Philemon will prevent your becoming absolutely raving, by joining you. I shall be curious to know the result. LIS. Never fear. _Bibliomania_ is, of all species of insanity, the most rational and praise-worthy. I here solemnly renounce my former opinions, and wish my errors to be forgotten. I here crave pardon of the disturbed manes of the Martins, De Bures, and Patersons, for that flagitious act of _Catalogue-Burning_; and fondly hope that the unsuspecting age of boyhood will atone for so rash a deed. Do you frankly forgive--and will you henceforth consider me as a worth [Transcriber's Note: worthy] "_Aspirant_" in the noble cause of bibliography? LYSAND. Most cordially do I forgive you; and freely admit you into the fraternity of Bibliomaniacs. Philemon, I trust, will be equally merciful. PHIL. Assuredly, Lisardo, you have my entire forgiveness: and I exult a little in the hope that you will prove yourself to be a sincere convert to the cause, by losing no opportunity of enriching your bibliographical stores. Already I see you mounted, as a book chevalier, and hurrying from the country to London--from London again to the country--seeking adventures in which your prowess may be displayed--and yielding to no competitor who brandishes a lance of equal weight with your own! LIS. 'Tis well. At to-morrow's dawn my esquire shall begin to burnish up my armour--and caparison my courser. Till then adieu! * * * * * Here the conversation, in a connected form, ceased; and it was resolved that Philemon and myself should accompany Lisardo on the morrow. [Illustration] [Illustration: FARI QUAE SENTIAT] PART III. =The Auction Room.= CHARACTER OF ORLANDO. OF ANCIENT PRICES OF BOOKS, AND BOOK-BINDING. BOOK-AUCTION BIBLIOMANIACS.