town; and the colonel accompanying Mr. Percy, the stage was thus left clear
for the commissioner to open his business about M. de Tourville's packet.
He did it with so much address, and with so little circumlocution, that
Lord Oldborough immediately comprehended how important the papers might
be to him, and how necessary it was to secure the decipherer. When Mr.
Percy returned, he found the commissioner and his lordship in earnest and
seemingly confidential conversation. Both Mr. Falconer and Mr. Percy were
now pressed to stay to dine and to sleep at Clermont-park; an invitation
which Mr. Percy declined, but which the commissioner accepted.

In the evening, when the company who had dined at Clermont-park were
settled to cards and music, Lord Oldborough, after walking up and down the
room with the commissioner in silence for some minutes, retired with him
into his study, rang, and gave orders that they should not be interrupted
on any account till supper. The servant informed his lordship that such and
such persons, whom he had appointed, were waiting.--"I cannot possibly see
them till to-morrow," naming the hour. The servant laid on the table before
his lordship a huge parcel of letters. Lord Oldborough, with an air of
repressed impatience, bid the man send his secretary, Mr. Drakelow,--looked
over the letters, wrote with a pencil, and with great despatch, a few words
on the back of each--met Mr. Drakelow as he entered the room--put the
unfolded letters all together into his hands--"The answers on the back--to
be made out in form--ready for signature at six to-morrow."

"Yes, my lord. May I ask--"

"Ask nothing, sir, if you please--I am busy--you have your directions."

Mr. Drakelow bowed submissive, and made his exit with great celerity.