Alfred advised, that having traced the matter thus far, they should not
hazard giving any alarm to Lady Trant or to Mrs. Talconer, but should
report to Lord Oldborough what progress had been made.

Mr. Temple accordingly went home, to be in readiness for his lordship's
return. In the mean time the first exaltation of indignant pride having
subsided, and his cool judgment reflecting upon what had passed, Lord
Oldborough considered that, however satisfactory to his own mind might he
the feeling of his innocence, the proofs of it were necessary to satisfy
the public; he saw that his character would be left doubtful, and at the
mercy of his enemies, if he were in pique and resentment hastily to resign,
before he had vindicated his integrity. "_If_ your proofs be produced, my
lord!"--these words recurred to him, and his anxiety to obtain these proofs
rose high; and high was his satisfaction the moment he saw his secretary,
for by the first glance at Mr. Temple's countenance he perceived that some
discovery had been made.

Alfred, that night, received through Mr. Temple his lordship's request,
that he would obtain what farther information he could relative to the
private seal, in whatever way he thought most prudent. His lordship trusted
entirely to his discretion--Mr. Temple was engaged with other business.

Alfred went with Caroline to Lady Jane Granville's, to meet Lady Frances
Arlington; he entered into conversation, and by degrees brought her to
his point, playing all the time with her curiosity, and humouring her
childishness, while he carried on his cross-examination.

At first she could not recollect any thing about making the seals he talked
of. "It was a fancy that had passed--and a past fancy," she said, "was