spectators on foot and horseback were left full of curiosity.

Notwithstanding the condescension of his majesty's words and manner,
and the polite promptitude to attend to any business that concerned his
lordship, it was evident to Lord Oldborough's penetration that there was an
unusual coldness and formality in the king's countenance and deportment,
unlike the graciousness of his reception when satisfied and pleased. As
soon as the business of the day had been gone through, Lord Oldborough said
he must now beg his majesty's attention on a subject which principally
concerned himself. The king looked as one prepared to hear, but determined
to say as little as possible.

Lord Oldborough placed himself so as to give the king the advantage of the
light, which he did not fear to have full on his own countenance.

"Sir, certain letters, signed with my name, and sealed with my seal, have,
I am informed, been laid before your majesty."

"Your lordship has been rightly informed."

"I trust--I hope that your majesty--"

At the firm assertion, in the tone with which Lord Oldborough pronounced, I
_trust_--his majesty's eye changed--and moved away from Lord Oldborough's,
when he, with respectful interrogation of tone, added, "I _hope_ your
majesty could not believe those letters to be mine."

"Frankly, my lord," said the king, "the assertions, the insinuations of no
man, or set of men, of any rank or weight in my dominions, could by any
imaginable means have induced me to conceive it possible that such letters