"There is an intimacy between them," said Alfred. "Recollect all the pains
Lady Trant took for Mrs. Falconer about English Clay--they--"

"Mrs. Falconer! But how could she possibly get at Lord Oldborough's private
seal--a seal that is always locked up--a seal never used to any common
letter, never to any but those written by his own hand to some private
friend, and on some very particular occasion? Since I have been with him I
have not seen him use that seal three times."

"When and to whom, can you recollect?" said Alfred.

"I recollect!--I have it all!" exclaimed Mr. Temple, striking the table--"I
have it! But, Lady Frances Arlington--I am sorry she is gone."

"Why! what of her?--Lady Frances can have nothing more to do with the
business."

"She has a great deal more, I can assure you--but without knowing it."

"Of that I am certain, or all the world would have known it long ago: but
tell me how."

"I recollect, at the time when I was dangling after Lady Frances--there's
good in every thing--just before we went down to Falconer-court, her
ladyship, who, you know, has always some reigning fancy, was distracted
about what she called _bread-seals_. She took off the impression of seals
with bread--no matter how, but she did--and used to torment me--no, I
thought it a great pleasure at the time--to procure for her all the pretty
seals I could."