"No matter to whom he has sold himself, or for what," replied the
commissioner; "that is his affair, not ours. We must not be too nice. He
is well disposed towards you; and, my dear sir, I should take it as a very
particular favour if you would introduce me to his lordship."

"With great pleasure," said Mr. Percy, "the very first opportunity."

"We must make opportunities--not wait for them," said the commissioner,
smiling. "Let me entreat that you will pay your respects to his lordship as
soon as he comes into the country. It really is but civil--and take me in
your hand."

"With all my heart," said Mr. Percy; "but mine shall only be a visit of
civility."

Well satisfied with having obtained this promise, Commissioner Falconer
departed.

Besides his general desire to be acquainted with the great, the
commissioner had particular reasons for wishing to be introduced at this
time to Lord Oldborough, and he had a peculiar cause for being curious
about M. de Tourville.--Mr. Falconer was in possession of the packet which
that diplomatist had lost. It had been found by one of the commissioner's
sons, Mr. John Falconer; or rather by Mr. John Falconer's dog, Neptune, who
brought it to his master when he was bathing in the sea the day after the
shipwreck. It had been thrown by the tide among some sea-weed, where it
was entangled, and where it lay hid till it was discovered by the dog. Mr.
John Falconer had carried it home, and boasting of his dog's sagacity, had
produced it rather as a proof of the capital manner in which he had taught
Neptune to fetch and carry, than from any idea or care for the value of the