He was answered with a smile of royal raillery, that the peculiar family
circumstances which had determined his lordship so rapidly to promote that
officer, must, to all fathers of families and heads of houses, if not to
statesmen and generals, be a sufficient and home apology.

Considering the peculiar talent which his sovereign possessed, and in which
he gloried, that of knowing the connexions and domestic affairs, not only
of the nobility near his person, but of private individuals remote from
his court, Lord Oldborough had little cause to be surprised that this
secret transaction should be known to his majesty. Something of this his
lordship, with all due respect, hinted in reply. At the termination of this
audience, he was soothed by the condescending assurance, that whilst the
circumstances of the late unfortunate reverse naturally created regret and
mortification, no dissatisfaction with his ministerial conduct mixed with
these feelings; on the contrary, he was assured that fear of the effect
a disappointment might have on the mind of the public, in diminishing
confidence in his lordship's efforts for the good of the country, was the
sentiment which had lowered the spirits and clouded the brow of majesty.

His lordship returned thanks for the gracious demonstration of these
sentiments--and, bowing respectfully, withdrew. In the faces and behaviour
of the courtiers, as in a glass, he saw reflected the truth. They all
pretended to be in the utmost consternation; and he heard of nothing but
"apprehensions for the effect on the public mind," and "fears for his
lordship's popularity." His secretary, Mr. Temple, heard, indeed, more of
this than could reach his lordship's ear directly; for, even now, when they
thought they foresaw his fall, few had sufficient courage to hazard the
tone of condolence with Lord Oldborough, or to expose the face of hypocrisy
to the severity of his penetrating eye. In secret, every means had been
taken to propagate in the city, the knowledge of all the circumstances that