What Holmes did not record and could not record in
his book was the impression he made on this weary
world of London — a world ever grateful to any one who
will provide it with a new sensation. The mere list of
his engagements would show in what request he was and
what the best people tried to do for him. He speaks of
a concert at Lady Rothschild's. Probably he did not
know quite how much his presence at that concert sig-
nified. He knew that it was a very brilliant occasion.
He speaks of the Prince and Princess of Wales, of Patti's
singing, of the royal table at supper, and other incidents
which struck him. There had been a dinner to the
Prince and Princess of Wales, and to the concert which
followed about ninety people had been asked. ISTine
hundred others had, as sometimes happens in a society
which exists in order to be seen at the right place at
21



322 STUDIES OF MEN

the right moment, asked to be asked. The only addi-
tion which Lady Rothschild made to her original list
was that of Holmes and his daughter, who had lately
arrived in London. The nine hundred who were on
their knees for invitations were left on their knees ; not
one of them saw the inside of the marble palace at No.
