Man of the world as I am, I must
confess that I regard him with a kind of wondering awe; and that I
follow his erratic movements very much as one would follow the
celestial progress of a particularly splendacious comet. He never
ceases to be an object of wonderment to me; and I love to read of his
gigantic projects, his vast wealth, his brilliant successes; and I tell
you frankly that I am looking forward to seeing him with a mixture of
fear and curiosity. Do not be surprised, if, at my introduction, I fall
on my hands and knees in Oriental abasement. I have admired him so much
and so long at a distance that he has assumed in my eyes an almost
regal, not to say imperial, importance." "I hope you will like him,"
said Stafford, with a touch of that simplicity which all his friends
liked.
"If he resembles his son, I am sure to do so," said Howard. "Indeed, in
any case I am pretty sure to do so. For how often have I read of his
wonderful charm of manner, his winning smile and brilliant
conversational powers? When do we get to this fairy palace?"
"I suppose if we get there before dinner, it will be time enough,"
replied Stafford.
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