this indication, he should not have supposed the stern Lord Oldborough to
be susceptible, the commissioner appeared before him every day the image
of a broken-hearted father. In silence Lord Oldborough from time to time
looked at him; and by these looks, more than by all the promises of all the
great men who had ever spoken to him, Mr. Falconer was reassured; and, as
he told Mrs. Falconer, who at this time was in dreadful anxiety, he felt
certain that Lord Oldborough would not punish him for the faults of his
sons--he was satisfied that his place and his pension would not he taken
from him--and that, at least in fortune, they should not be utterly ruined.
In this security the commissioner showed rather more than his customary
degree of strength of mind, and more knowledge of Lord Oldborough's
character than he had upon most other occasions evinced.

Things were in this state, when, one morning, after the minister had given
orders that no one should be admitted, as he was dictating some public
papers of consequence to Mr. Temple, the Duke of Greenwich was announced.
His grace sent in a note to signify that he waited upon Lord Oldborough by
order of his majesty; and that, if this hour were not convenient, he begged
to have the hour named at which his grace could be admitted. His grace was
admitted instantly. Mr. Temple retired--for it was evident this was to be a
secret conference. His grace of Greenwich entered with the most important
solemnity--infinitely more ceremonious than usual; he was at last seated,
and, after heavy and audible sighs, still hesitated to open his business.
Through the affected gloom and dejection of his countenance Lord Oldborough
saw a malicious pleasure lurking, whilst, in a studied exordium, he spoke
of the infinite reluctance with which he had been compelled, by his
majesty's express orders, to wait upon his lordship on a business the most
painful to his feelings. As being a public colleague--as a near and dear
connexion--as a friend in long habits of intimacy with his lordship, he had
prayed his majesty to be excused; but it was his majesty's pleasure: he had