of sense. To marry a fool--to form or to have any connexion with a fool,"
continued his lordship, his countenance changing remarkably as he spoke, "I
conceive to be the greatest evil, the greatest curse, that can be inflicted
on a man of sense."

He walked across the room with long, firm, indignant strides--then stopping
short, he exclaimed, "_Lettres de cachet_!--Dangerous instruments in bad
hands!--As what are not?--But one good purpose they answered--they put it
in the power of the head of every noble house to disown, and to deprive of
the liberty to disgrace his family, any member who should manifest the will
to commit desperate crime or desperate folly."

Alfred was by no means disposed to join in praise even of this use of a
_lettre de cachet_, but he did not think it a proper time to argue the
point, as he saw Lord Oldborough was under the influence of some strong
passion. He waited in silence till his lordship should explain himself
farther.

His lordship unlocked a desk, and produced a letter.

"Pray, Mr. Percy--Mr. Alfred Percy--have you heard any thing lately of the
Marchioness of Twickenham?"

"No, my lord."

Alfred, at this instant, recollected the whisper which he had once heard at
chapel, and he added, "Not of late, my lord."

"There," said Lord Oldborough, putting a letter into Alfred's hands--"there
is the sum of what I have heard."