gay, gallant, and rather dissipated; of a frank, joyous air and manner. The
Lord Oldborough whom he now saw was a serious, reserved-looking personage,
with a face in which the lines of thought and care were deeply marked;
large eyebrows, vigilant eyes, with an expression of ability and decision
in his whole countenance, but not of tranquillity or of happiness. His
manner was well-bred, but rather cold and formal: his conversation
circumspect, calculated to draw forth the opinions, and to benefit by the
information of others, rather than to assert or display his own. He seemed
to converse, to think, to live, not with any enjoyment of the present, but
with a view to some future object, about which he was constantly anxious.

Mr. Percy and Mr. Falconer both observed Lord Oldborough attentively during
this visit: Mr. Percy studied him with philosophical curiosity, to discover
what changes had been made in his lordship's character by the operation
of ambition, and to determine how far that passion had contributed to his
happiness; Mr. Falconer studied him with the interested eye of a man of the
world, eager to discern what advantage could be made by ministering to that
ambition, and to decide whether there was about his lordship the making of
a good patron.

There was, he thought, the right twist, if he had but skill to follow,
and humour it in the working; but this was a task of much nicety. Lord
Oldborough appeared to be aware of the commissioner's views, and was not
disposed to burden himself with new _friends_. It seemed easy to go to a
certain point with his lordship, but difficult to get farther; easy to
obtain his attention, but impossible to gain his confidence.

The commissioner, however, had many resources ready; many small means of
fastening himself both on his lordship's private and public interests. He
determined to begin first with the despatch which he had been deciphering.