insisted upon by her uncle, otherwise he would have felt still greater
surprise than that which he now felt, at the stern, unbending character of
the man. Possessed as Lord Oldborough was by the opinion, that he had at
the time judged and acted in the best manner possible, no after-events
could make him doubt the justice of his own decision, or could at all shake
him in his own estimation.

Alfred soon brought his report. "In one word--no divorce, my lord."

"That's well--I thank you, sir."

His lordship made no farther inquiries--not even whether there was to be a
_separation_.

Alfred was commissioned by the Duke of Greenwich to deliver a message,
which, like the messages of the gods in Homer, he delivered verbatim,
and without comment: "His grace of Greenwich trusts Lord Oldborough will
believe, that, notwithstanding the unfortunate circumstances, which
dissolved in some degree the family connexion, it was the farthest possible
from his grace's wish or thoughts to break with Lord Oldborough, as long
as private feelings, and public principles, could be rendered by any means
compatible."

Lord Oldborough smiled in scorn--and Alfred could scarcely command his
countenance.

Lord Oldborough prepared to give his grace the opportunity, which he knew
he desired, of differing with him on principle: his lordship thought his
favour and power were now sufficiently established to be able to do without
the Duke of Greenwich, and his pride prompted him to show this to his grace