divorce."

As he sealed his letter, Lord Oldborough went on in abrupt sentences.

"I never counted on a weak man's friendship--I can do without his
grace--Woman! Woman! The same--ever since the beginning of the world!"

Then turning to Alfred to deliver the letter into his hand, "Your brother,
Major Percy, sir--I think I recollect--He was better in the West Indies."

"I was just thinking so, my lord," said Alfred.

"Yes--better encounter the plague than a fool."

Lord Oldborough had never before distinctly adverted to his knowledge of
his niece's partiality for Godfrey, but his lordship now added, "Major
Percy's honourable conduct is not unknown: I trust honourable conduct never
was, and never will be, lost upon me.--This to the Duke of Greenwich--and
this to the marquis.--Since it was to be, I rejoice that this Captain
Bellamy is the gallant.--Had it been your brother, sir--could there have
been any love in the case--not, observe, that I believe in love, much less
am I subject to the weakness of remorse--but a twinge might have seized
my mind--I might possibly have been told that the marchioness was married
against her inclination.--But I am at ease on that point--my judgment of
her was right.--You will let me know, in one word, the result of your
negotiation without entering into particulars--divorce, or no divorce, is
all I wish to hear."

Alfred did not know all the circumstances of the Marchioness of
Twickenham's marriage, nor the peremptory manner in which it had been