had been written by your lordship. Not for one moment could my belief have
been compelled by any evidence less strong than your lordship's handwriting
and seal. I own, I thought I knew your lordship's seal and writing; but I
now see that I have been deceived, and I rejoice to see it."

"I thank your majesty. I cannot feel surprise that a forgery and a
counterfeit which, at first view, compelled my own belief of their being
genuine, should, for a moment, have deceived you, sir; but, I own, I had
flattered myself that my sovereign knew my heart and character, yet better
than my seal and signature."

"Undoubtedly, my lord."

"And I should have hoped that, if your majesty had perused those letters,
no assertions could have been necessary, on my part, to convince you, sir,
that they could not be mine. I have now only to rejoice that your majesty
is undeceived; and that I have not intruded unnecessarily with this
explanation. I am fully sensible, sir, of your goodness, in having thus
permitted me to make, as early as possible, this assertion of my innocence.
For the proofs of it, and for the detection of the guilty, I am preparing;
and I hope to make these as clear to you, sir, as your majesty's assurance
of the pleasure you feel in being undeceived is satisfactory--consolatory
to me," concluded Lord Oldborough, with a bow of profound yet proud
respect.

"My lord," said the king, "I have no doubt that this affair will redound to
your honour, and _terminate to your lordship's entire satisfaction_."

The very phrase used by the Duke of Greenwich.