—I
who
was
the
daughter
of
a
poor
farmer
,
and
who
had
seen
so
much
of
the
vicissitudes
of
life
,
—
I
who
had
thought
myself
happy
with
the
competence
which
I
enjoyed
through
the
Earl
of
Warrington
's
bounty
at
Clapton
,
—
I
who
conceived
myself
to
be
one
of
the
most
fortunate
of
individuals
when
,
by
the
goodness
of
that
same
excellent
peer
,
I
arrived
in
this
State
,
and
took
possession
of
the
villa
which
he
had
placed
at
my
disposal
,
—
I
who
had
then
no
more
elevated
aspirations
than
to
dwell
in
tranquillity
and
peace
—
no
loftier
hope
than
to
deserve
that
kind
nobleman
's
benefits
by
my
conduct
,
—
was
it
possible
that
I
was
in
a
few
hours
to
become
the
Grand
Duchess
of
Castelcicala
?
I
could
not
fix
my
mind
to
such
a
belief
;
the
idea
seemed
an
oriental
fiction
—
a
romantic
dream
.
And
yet
,
I
remembered
,
I
had
already
received
an
earnest
of
this
splendid
promise
of
fortune
:
I
had
already
been
elevated
from
a
lowly
condition
to
an
exalted
rank
;
the
distinction
of
a
Marchioness
was
mine
;
for
months
had
I
been
accustomed
to
the
sounding
title
of
Your
Ladyship
and
for
months
had
I
been
enrolled
amongst
the
peeresses
of
Castelcicala
.
Yes
—
I
thought
:
it
was
true
,
—
true
that
a
Prince
—
a
powerful
Prince
—
intended
to
raise
me
to
a
seat
upon
his
own
ducal
throne
!
"
At
seven
precisely
the
three
lovely
daughters
of
General
Grachia
arrived
at
the
villa
to
assist
me
in
my
toilette
—
my
nuptial
toilette
.
They
informed
me
that
,
if
it
were
my
pleasure
,
they
were
to
remain
in
attendance
upon
me
after
my
marriage
.
I
embraced
them
tenderly
,
and
assured
them
that
they
should
always
be
near
me
as
friends
.
When
the
toilette
was
completed
,
I
bade
adieu
to
the
villa
.
I
wept
—
wept
tears
of
mingled
joy
and
sorrow
as
I
said
farewell
to
that
abode
when
I
had
passed
so
many
happy
,
happy
hours
!
At
length
I
entered
General
Grachia
's
carriage
,
which
was
waiting
;
and
,
accompanied
by
my
three
amiable
friends
,
repaired
to
their
father
's
private
dwelling
(
not
his
official
palace
of
the
War
Department
)
in
Montoni
.
"
Here
my
letter
must
terminate
.
Enclosed
is
an
account
of
the
entire
ceremony
,
translated
into
English
by
my
private
secretary
(
who
is
well
acquainted
with
my
native
tongue
)
from
the
Montoni
Gazette
.
Fain
would
I
have
erased
those
passages
which
are
favourable
—
too
favourable
to
myself
;
but
I
fancied
that
my
friend
—
my
sister
Diana
would
be
pleased
to
read
the
narrative
in
its
integrity
.
"
In
conclusion
,
let
me
say
—
and
do
you
believe
it
as
devoutly
as
I
say
it
sincerely
—
that
,
in
spite
of
my
rank
and
fortunes
,
—
in
spite
of
the
splendours
that
surround
me
,
to
you
I
am
in
heart
,
and
always
shall
remain
,
the
same
attached
and
grateful
being
,
whom
you
have
known
as
"
ELIZA
SYDNEY
.
"
It
would
be
impossible
to
describe
the
feelings
of
delight
with
which
Mrs.
Arlington
perused
the
latter
portion
of
this
letter
.
Pass
we
on
,
therefore
,
to
the
Bridal
Ceremony
,
as
it
was
described
in
the
translated
narrative
which
accompanied
the
communication
of
the
Grand
Duchess
:
—
"
THE
MARRIAGE
OF
THE
GRAND
DUKE
.
"
Yesterday
morning
were
celebrated
the
nuptials
of
his
Serene
Highness
Angelo
III
.
and
Eliza
Marchioness
of
Ziani
.
"
From
an
early
hour
the
capital
wore
an
appearance
of
unusual
gaiety
and
bustle
.
The
houses
looking
on
the
Piazzetta
of
Contarini
,
leading
to
the
ancient
Cathedral
of
Saint
Theodosia
,
were
decorated
in
a
most
splendid
manner
with
banners
,
garlands
,
festoons
of
flowers
,
and
various
ornaments
and
devices
appropriate
to
the
occasion
.
The
balconies
were
fitted
up
as
verdant
bowers
and
arbours
,
and
the
lovely
characteristics
of
the
country
were
thus
introduced
into
the
very
heart
of
the
city
.
The
Town-Hall
was
hung
with
numerous
banners
;
and
the
royal
standard
waved
proudly
over
the
Black
Tower
of
the
Citadel
.
The
shops
in
those
streets
through
which
the
procession
was
to
pass
were
fitted
up
with
seats
which
were
let
to
those
who
were
willing
to
pay
the
high
prices
demanded
for
them
.
In
other
parts
of
the
city
the
shops
and
marts
of
trade
were
all
closed
,
as
was
the
Exchange
.
A
holiday
was
observed
at
the
Bank
of
Castelcicala
;
and
the
business
of
the
General
Post
Office
closed
at
eleven
o'clock
in
the
forenoon
.
Nor
was
the
port
less
gay
than
the
city
.
All
the
vessels
in
the
harbour
and
docks
,
as
well
at
those
in
the
roadstead
,
were
decked
with
innumerable
flags
.
The
royal
standard
floated
from
the
main
of
the
ships
of
war
of
the
Castelcicalan
navy
.
The
sight
was
altogether
most
imposing
and
lively
.
"
At
seven
o'clock
the
bells
of
Saint
Theodosia
and
all
the
other
churches
in
Montoni
rang
out
merry
peals
;
and
the
troops
of
the
garrison
got
under
arms
.
At
a
quarter
before
eight
the
Mayor
and
Corporation
of
the
city
,
arrayed
in
their
robes
of
green
velvet
edged
with
gold
,
proceeded
to
the
palace
and
presented
an
address
of
congratulation
on
the
auspicious
day
,
to
his
Serene
Highness
,
who
was
pleased
to
return
a
most
gracious
answer
.
It
being
generally
understood
that
the
Marchioness
of
Ziani
would
in
the
first
instance
alight
at
the
dwelling
of
General
Grachia
,
the
Minister
of
War
,
a
crowd
of
highly
respectable
and
well-dressed
persons
had
collected
in
that
neighbourhood
.
At
nine
o'clock
the
General
's
private
carriage
,
which
had
been
sent
to
convey
the
future
Grand
Duchess
from
her
own
abode
to
the
General
's
mansion
,
drove
rapidly
up
the
street
,
attended
by
two
outriders
.
We
shall
never
forget
the
enthusiasm
manifested
by
the
assembled
multitude
upon
that
occasion
.
All
political
feelings
appeared
to
be
forgotten
;
and
a
loud
,
hearty
,
and
prolonged
burst
of
welcome
met
the
ear
.
The
object
of
this
ebullition
of
generous
feeling
bowed
gracefully
to
the
crowds
on
either
side
;
and
the
cheering
continued
for
some
moments
after
the
carriage
had
entered
the
court-yard
of
the
General
's
mansion
.
"
At
half-past
ten
o'clock
the
President
of
the
Council
,
the
Grand
Chancellor
,
and
the
Intendant
of
the
Ducal
Civil
List
arrived
in
their
carriages
at
General
Grachia
's
abode
,
preceded
by
one
of
the
royal
equipages
,
which
was
sent
to
convey
the
bride
and
her
ladies-in-waiting
to
the
palace
.
In
a
few
minutes
the
President
of
the
Council
handed
the
bride
,
who
was
attended
by
the
lady
and
three
lovely
daughters
of
General
Grachia
,
into
the
ducal
carriage
.
The
procession
then
repaired
to
the
palace
,
the
crowds
that
lined
the
streets
and
occupied
the
windows
and
balconies
by
which
it
passed
,
expressing
their
feelings
by
cheers
and
the
waving
of
handkerchiefs
.
To
these
demonstrations
the
bride
responded
by
graceful
bows
,
bestowed
in
a
manner
so
modest
and
yet
evidently
sincere
,
that
the
conduct
of
this
exalted
lady
upon
the
occasion
won
all
hearts
.
"
The
procession
entered
the
palace-square
;
and
the
Grand
Duke
,
attended
by
the
great
officers
of
state
and
a
brilliant
staff
,
received
his
intended
bride
at
the
foot
of
the
great
marble
staircase
of
the
western
pavilion
.
The
illustrious
company
then
entered
the
palace
.
Immediately
afterwards
the
five
regiments
of
household
troops
,
commanded
by
that
noble
veteran
the
Marshal
Count
of
Galeazzo
,
marched
into
the
square
,
and
formed
into
three
lines
along
the
western
side
of
the
palace
.
At
half-past
eleven
the
royal
party
appeared
at
the
foot
of
the
marble
staircase
,
and
entered
the
numerous
carriages
in
waiting
.
The
bride
occupied
the
carriage
which
had
conveyed
her
to
the
palace
,
and
was
accompanied
by
the
ladies
in
attendance
upon
her
.
His
Serene
Highness
,
attended
by
the
President
of
the
Council
and
the
Grand
Chancellor
,
entered
the
state
carriage
.
The
procession
then
moved
onwards
to
the
Cathedral
of
Saint
Theodosia
.
"
This
was
the
signal
for
the
roar
of
artillery
from
all
points
.
The
citadel
,
and
the
ships
of
war
in
the
roadstead
thundered
forth
the
announcement
that
his
Serene
Highness
had
just
left
the
palace
.
The
bells
rang
blithely
from
every
steeple
;
the
troops
presented
arms
,
the
military
bands
played
the
national
hymn
;
and
the
procession
was
welcomed
with
joyous
shouts
,
the
waving
of
handkerchiefs
,
and
the
smiles
of
beauty
.
The
windows
and
balconies
of
the
houses
overlooking
the
streets
through
which
it
passed
,
were
crowded
with
elegantly
dressed
ladies
,
brilliant
with
their
own
beauty
,
gay
with
waving
plumes
,
and
sparkling
with
diamonds
.
The
only
indication
of
political
feeling
which
we
observed
upon
the
occasion
,
was
on
the
part
of
the
troops
;
and
they
were
silent
.
"
The
bride
was
naturally
the
centre
of
all
interest
and
attraction
.
Every
one
was
anxious
to
catch
a
glimpse
of
her
charming
countenance
.
And
certainly
this
lovely
lady
never
could
have
appeared
more
lovely
than
on
the
present
occasion
.
She
was
attired
in
a
dress
of
the
most
costly
point-lace
over
white
satin
.
Her
veil
was
of
the
first-mentioned
material
,
and
of
the
richest
description
.
She
was
somewhat
pale
;
but
a
charming
serenity
was
depicted
upon
her
countenance
.
She
bowed
frequently
,
and
in
the
most
unpretending
and
affable
manner
,
as
the
procession
moved
along
.
"
At
length
the
cavalcade
reached
the
cathedral
,
where
the
Archbishop
of
Montoni
,
assisted
by
the
Bishops
of
Trevisano
and
Collato
,
was
in
attendance
to
perform
the
solemn
ceremony
.
The
sacred
edifice
was
thronged
by
the
élite
and
fashion
of
the
capital
,
who
had
been
admitted
by
tickets
.
When
the
royal
party
had
entered
the
Cathedral
,
the
doors
were
closed
;
and
the
holy
ceremony
was
solemnised
.
The
roar
of
the
artillery
was
again
heard
,
as
the
royal
party
returned
to
their
carriages
.
This
time
the
Grand
Duchess
was
handed
by
his
Serene
Highness
into
the
state
carriage
.
The
return
to
the
palace
was
distinguished
by
demonstrations
of
satisfaction
on
the
part
of
the
spectators
more
enthusiastic
,
if
possible
,
than
those
which
marked
the
progress
of
the
cavalcade
to
the
cathedral
.
A
glow
of
animation
was
visible
upon
the
countenance
of
her
Serene
Highness
;
and
the
Grand
Duke
himself
looked
remarkably
well
and
cheerful
.
In
a
short
time
the
Sovereign
conducted
his
lovely
bride
into
that
palace
which
in
future
is
to
be
her
home
.
"
Thus
ended
a
ceremony
which
,
in
a
political
point
of
view
,
may
probably
be
attended
with
important
results
to
the
interests
of
Castelcicala
.
Should
male
issue
proceed
from
this
marriage
,
the
contentions
of
rival
parties
in
the
state
will
be
at
once
annihilated
.
The
supporters
of
the
Prince
of
Castelcicala
,
who
is
now
an
exile
in
England
,
are
naturally
indignant
and
annoyed
at
the
marriage
of
his
Serene
Highness
Angelo
III
.
with
a
lady
young
enough
to
encourage
hopes
that
the
union
may
not
remain
unfruitful
.
It
is
even
evident
that
many
of
the
former
friends
of
the
exiled
Prince
pronounced
in
favour
of
this
marriage
,
the
moment
it
was
contemplated
some
months
previously
to
its
solemnization
.
This
sentiment
of
approval
will
account
for
the
entrance
of
General
Grachia
,
who
was
notorious
for
his
adhesion
to
the
popular
cause
espoused
by
the
Prince
,
into
the
Ministry
.
Probably
the
best
friends
of
their
country
,
aware
that
it
was
neither
natural
nor
legal
to
attempt
to
control
the
inclinations
and
affections
of
his
Serene
Highness
Angelo
III
.
,
looked
upon
this
marriage
as
the
best
means
of
securing
peace
and
internal
tranquillity
to
Castelcicala
,
inasmuch
as
it
gives
a
prospect
of
an
heir
to
the
ducal
throne
—
an
heir
whose
right
and
title
none
could
dispute
.
This
is
the
view
we
ourselves
take
of
the
case
:
and
we
therefore
hail
the
event
as
one
of
a
most
auspicious
nature
in
our
annals
.
"
Scarcely
had
the
Enchantress
terminated
this
narrative
of
the
ceremony
which
elevated
her
friend
to
a
ducal
throne
,
—
a
narrative
which
she
had
perused
with
the
liveliest
feelings
of
satisfaction
,
and
the
most
unadulterated
pleasure
,
—
when
the
Earl
of
Warrington
was
announced
.
Diana
hastened
to
communicate
to
him
the
tidings
which
she
had
received
;
and
the
nobleman
himself
read
Eliza
's
letter
,
and
the
extract
from
the
Montoni
Gazette
,
with
an
interest
which
showed
how
gratified
he
felt
in
the
high
and
exalted
fortunes
of
the
daughter
of
her
whom
he
had
once
loved
so
tenderly
.
"
Yes
,
indeed
,
"
said
the
earl
,
when
he
had
terminated
the
perusal
of
the
two
documents
,
"
Eliza
Sydney
now
ranks
amongst
the
queens
and
reigning
princesses
of
the
world
:
from
a
humble
cottage
she
has
risen
to
a
throne
.
"
"
And
this
exalted
station
she
owes
to
your
lordship
's
goodness
,
"
remarked
Diana
.
"
Say
to
my
justice
,
"
observed
the
earl
;
"
for
I
may
flatter
myself
that
I
have
behaved
with
justice
to
the
child
of
my
departed
uncle
's
daughter
.
And
this
remarkable
exaltation
of
Eliza
Sydney
shows
us
,
Diana
,
that
we
should
never
judge
of
a
person
's
character
by
one
fault
.
Eliza
has
always
been
imbued
with
sentiments
of
virtue
and
integrity
,
although
she
was
led
into
one
error
by
that
villain
Stephens
;
and
she
has
now
met
with
a
reward
of
a
price
high
almost
beyond
precedent
.
But
,
ah
!
"
exclaimed
the
earl
,
who
was
carelessly
turning
the
letter
of
the
Grand
Duchess
over
and
over
in
his
hands
as
he
spoke
,
"
this
is
very
singular
—
very
remarkable
;
"
—
and
he
inspected
the
seal
and
post-marks
of
the
letter
with
minute
attention
.
"
What
is
the
matter
?
"
inquired
Diana
.
"
Some
treachery
has
been
perpetrated
here
,
"
answered
the
earl
,
still
continuing
his
scrutiny
:
"
this
letter
had
been
opened
before
it
was
delivered
to
you
.
"
"
Opened
!
"
cried
Diana
.
"
Yes
,
"
said
the
Earl
of
Warrington
;
"
here
is
every
proof
that
the
letter
has
been
violated
.
See
—
there
is
the
English
post-mark
of
yesterday
morning
:
and
over
it
has
been
stamped
another
mark
,
of
this
morning
's
date
.
Then
contemplate
the
seal
.
There
are
two
kinds
of
wax
,
the
one
melted
over
the
other
:
do
you
not
notice
a
shade
different
in
their
colours
?
"
"
Certainly
,
"
said
Diana
:
"
it
is
apparent
.
But
who
could
have
done
this
?
Perhaps
the
Grand
Duchess
herself
;
for
the
ducal
arms
are
imprinted
upon
the
upper
layer
of
wax
.
"
"
The
persons
who
opened
this
letter
,
Diana
,
"
said
the
earl
,
in
a
serious
—
almost
a
solemn
tone
,
"
are
those
who
know
full
well
how
to
take
the
imprint
of
a
seal
.
But
have
you
not
other
letters
from
Castelcicala
?
"
"
Several
,
"
replied
Diana
;
and
she
hastily
unlocked
her
writing-desk
,
where
she
produced
all
the
correspondence
she
had
received
from
Eliza
Sydney
.
The
earl
carefully
inspected
the
envelopes
of
those
letters
;
and
his
countenance
grew
more
serious
as
he
proceeded
with
his
scrutiny
.
"
Yes
,
"
he
exclaimed
,
after
a
long
pause
;
"
the
fact
is
glaring
!
Every
one
of
these
letters
was
opened
somewhere
ere
they
were
delivered
to
you
.
The
utmost
caution
has
been
evidently
used
in
re-sealing
and
re-stamping
them
;
—
nevertheless
,
there
are
proofs
—
undoubted
proofs
—
that
the
whole
of
this
correspondence
has
been
violated
in
its
transit
from
the
writer
to
the
receiver
.
"
"
But
what
object
—
what
motive
—
—
"
"
I
have
long
entertained
suspicions
,
"
said
the
Earl
of
Warrington
,
interrupting
his
fair
mistress
,
"
that
there
is
one
public
institution
in
England
which
is
made
the
scene
of
proceedings
so
vile
—
so
detestable
—
so
base
as
to
cast
a
stain
upon
the
entire
nation
.
Those
suspicions
are
now
confirmed
.
"
"
What
mean
you
?
"
inquired
Diana
:
"
to
which
institution
do
you
allude
?
"
"
To
the
General
Post-office
,
"
replied
the
Earl
of
Warrington
.
"
The
General
Post-office
!
"
cried
Mrs.
Arlington
,
her
countenance
expressing
the
most
profound
astonishment
.
"
The
General
Post-office
,
"
repeated
the
earl
.
"
But
this
is
a
matter
of
so
serious
a
nature
that
I
shall
not
allow
it
to
rest
here
.
You
will
lend
me
these
letters
for
a
few
hours
?
I
am
more
intimately
acquainted
with
the
Home
Secretary
than
with
any
other
of
her
Majesty
's
Ministers
;
and
to
him
will
I
now
proceed
.
"
The
earl
consigned
the
letters
to
his
pocket
,
and
,
with
an
air
of
deep
determination
,
took
a
temporary
leave
of
Mrs.
Arlington
.
Scarcely
had
the
earl
left
the
house
,
when
Mr.
Greenwood
's
valet
,
Filippo
,
was
introduced
.
"
I
have
called
,
madam
,
"
said
the
Italian
,
"
to
inform
you
that
I
last
night
counteracted
another
of
my
master
's
plots
,
and
saved
a
young
female
from
the
persecution
of
his
addresses
.
"
"
You
have
done
well
,
Filippo
,
"
exclaimed
Mrs.
Arlington
.
"
Does
your
master
suspect
you
?
"
"
Not
in
the
remotest
degree
,
madam
.
I
contrived
matters
so
well
,
that
he
believed
the
young
person
alluded
to
had
escaped
by
her
own
means
,
and
without
any
assistance
,
save
that
of
a
pair
of
sheets
which
enabled
her
to
descend
in
safety
from
the
window
of
the
room
in
which
she
was
confined
.
"
"
I
am
delighted
to
hear
that
your
mission
to
England
has
been
so
successful
,
in
thwarting
the
machinations
of
that
bad
man
,
"
observed
Mrs.
Arlington
.
"
Have
you
heard
any
news
from
Castelcicala
?
"
"
I
have
this
morning
received
a
Montoni
newspaper
,
announcing
the
nuptials
of
the
Grand
Duke
and
the
Marchioness
of
Ziani
,
"
replied
Filippo
.
"
And
I
also
have
heard
those
happy
tidings
,
"
said
Mrs.
Arlington
.
"
But
have
you
any
further
information
to
give
me
relative
to
the
schemes
of
your
master
?
I
am
always
pleased
to
learn
that
his
evil
designs
experience
defeat
through
your
agency
.
"
"
I
have
nothing
more
to
say
at
present
,
madam
,
"
answered
Filippo
;
"
except
,
indeed
,
"
he
added
,
suddenly
recollecting
himself
,
"
that
I
overheard
,
a
few
days
ago
,
a
warm
contention
between
my
master
and
a
certain
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
.
"
"
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
!
"
ejaculated
Diana
,
a
blush
suddenly
overspreading
her
cheeks
.
"
Yes
,
madam
.
From
what
I
could
learn
,
there
was
a
balance
of
about
a
thousand
pounds
due
from
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
to
Mr.
Greenwood
,
on
a
bill
that
purported
to
be
the
acceptance
of
Lord
Tremordyn
,
but
which
was
in
reality
a
forgery
committed
by
Sir
Rupert
himself
.
"
"
A
forgery
!
"
cried
Diana
.
"
A
forgery
,
madam
.
Sir
Rupert
bitterly
reproached
Mr.
Greenwood
with
having
suggested
to
him
that
mode
of
raising
money
,
whereas
Mr.
Greenwood
appeared
to
deny
with
indignation
any
share
in
the
part
of
the
transaction
imputed
to
him
.
The
matter
ended
by
Mr.
Greenwood
declaring
that
if
the
bill
were
not
paid
to-morrow
,
when
it
falls
due
(
having
,
it
appears
,
been
renewed
several
times
)
,
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
should
be
prosecuted
for
forgery
.
"
"
And
what
said
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
to
that
?
"
inquired
Diana
.
"
He
changed
his
tone
,
and
began
to
implore
the
mercy
of
Mr.
Greenwood
:
but
my
master
was
inexorable
;
and
Sir
Rupert
left
the
house
with
ruin
and
terror
depicted
upon
his
countenance
.
"
"
This
battle
you
must
allow
them
to
fight
out
between
themselves
,
"
said
Diana
,
after
a
moment
's
hesitation
.
"
I
know
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
—
know
him
full
well
;
but
I
do
not
think
that
he
is
so
thoroughly
black-hearted
as
your
master
.
He
was
once
kind
to
me
—
once
,
"
she
added
,
musing
to
herself
rather
than
addressing
the
Italian
valet
:
then
,
suddenly
recollecting
herself
,
she
said
,
"
However
,
Filippo
—
that
affair
does
not
regard
you
.
"
"
Very
good
,
madam
,
"
replied
the
valet
;
and
he
then
took
his
departure
.
The
moment
he
was
gone
,
Mrs.
Arlington
threw
herself
into
her
comfortable
arm-chair
,
and
became
wrapt
up
in
deep
thought
.
CHAPTER
XCIV
.
THE
HOME
OFFICE
.
IN
a
well
furnished
room
,
on
the
first-floor
of
the
Home
Office
,
sate
the
Secretary
of
State
for
that
Department
.
The
room
was
spacious
and
lofty
.
The
walls
were
hung
with
the
portraits
of
several
eminent
statesmen
who
had
,
at
different
times
,
presided
over
the
internal
policy
of
the
country
.
A
round
table
stood
in
the
middle
of
the
apartment
;
and
at
this
table
,
which
groaned
beneath
a
mass
of
papers
,
was
seated
the
Minister
.
At
the
feet
of
this
functionary
was
a
wicker
basket
,
into
which
he
threw
the
greater
portion
of
the
letters
addressed
to
him
,
and
over
each
of
which
he
cast
a
glance
of
such
rapidity
that
he
must
either
have
been
a
wonderfully
clever
man
to
acquire
a
notion
of
the
contents
of
those
documents
by
means
of
so
superficial
a
survey
,
or
else
a
very
neglectful
one
to
pay
so
little
attention
to
affairs
which
were
associated
with
important
individual
interests
or
which
related
to
matters
of
national
concern
.
The
time-piece
upon
the
mantel
struck
twelve
,
when
a
low
knock
at
the
door
of
the
apartment
elicited
from
the
Minister
an
invitation
to
enter
.
A
tall
,
thin
,
middle-aged
,
sallow-faced
person
,
dressed
in
black
,
glided
noiselessly
into
the
room
,
bowed
obsequiously
to
the
Minister
,
and
took
his
seat
at
the
round
table
.
This
was
the
Minister
's
private
secretary
.
The
secretary
immediately
mended
a
pen
,
arranged
his
blotting-paper
in
a
business-like
fashion
before
him
,
spread
out
his
foolscap
writing
paper
,
and
then
glanced
towards
his
master
,
at
much
as
to
say
,
"
I
am
ready
.
"
"
Take
that
pile
of
correspondence
,
if
you
please
,
"
said
the
Minister
,
"
and
run
your
eye
over
each
letter
.
"
"
Yes
,
my
lord
,
"
said
the
Secretary
;
and
he
glanced
cursorily
over
the
letters
alluded
to
,
one
after
the
other
,
briefly
mentioning
their
respective
objects
as
he
proceeded
.
"
This
letter
,
my
lord
,
is
from
the
chaplain
of
Newgate
.
It
sets
forth
that
there
is
a
man
of
the
name
of
William
Lees
at
present
under
sentence
of
death
in
that
prison
;
that
William
Lees
,
in
a
fit
of
unbridled
passion
,
which
bordered
upon
insanity
,
murdered
his
wife
;
that
the
conduct
of
the
deceased
was
sufficient
to
provoke
the
most
temperate
individual
to
a
similar
deed
;
that
he
had
no
interest
in
killing
her
;
and
that
he
committed
the
crime
in
a
moment
over
which
he
had
no
control
.
"
"
Do
you
remember
anything
of
the
case
?
"
demanded
the
Home
Secretary
.
"
For
my
part
,
I
have
no
time
to
read
trials
.
"
"
Yes
,
my
lord
,
"
replied
the
Secretary
.
"
This
William
Lees
is
a
barber
;
and
his
wife
was
of
vile
and
most
intemperate
habits
.
He
murdered
her
in
a
fit
of
exasperation
caused
by
the
discovery
that
she
had
pledged
every
thing
moveable
in
the
house
,
to
obtain
the
means
of
buying
drink
.
"
"
Oh
!
a
barber
—
eh
?
"
said
the
Home
Secretary
,
yawning
.
"
Yes
,
my
lord
.
Your
lordship
will
remember
that
young
Medhurst
,
who
assassinated
a
school-fellow
in
a
fit
of
passion
,
was
only
condemned
to
three
years
'
imprisonment
.
"
"
Ah
!
but
that
was
quite
a
different
thing
,
"
exclaimed
the
Minister
.
"
Medhurst
was
a
gentleman
;
but
this
man
is
only
a
barber
.
"
"
True
,
my
lord
—
very
true
,
"
said
the
Secretary
.
"
I
had
quite
forgotten
that
.
"
"
Make
a
memorandum
,
that
the
law
in
the
case
of
William
Lees
must
take
its
course
.
"
"
Yes
,
my
lord
;
"
—
and
the
Secretary
,
having
endorsed
the
note
upon
the
letter
,
referred
to
another
document
.
"
This
,
my
lord
,
is
a
petition
from
a
political
prisoner
confined
in
a
county
gaol
,
and
who
sets
forth
that
he
is
compelled
to
wear
the
prison
dress
,
associate
with
felons
of
the
blackest
character
,
and
eat
the
prison
allowance
.
He
humbly
submits
—
"
"
He
may
submit
till
he
is
tired
,
"
interrupted
the
Minister
.
"
Make
a
memorandum
to
answer
the
petition
to
the
effect
that
her
Majesty
's
Secretary
of
State
for
the
Home
Department
does
not
see
any
ground
for
interfering
in
the
matter
.
"
"
Very
good
,
my
lord
.
This
letter
it
from
a
pauper
in
the
—
—
Union
,
stating
that
he
has
been
cruelly
assaulted
,
beaten
,
and
ill-used
by
the
master
;
that
he
has
applied
in
vain
to
the
Poor
Law
Commissioners
for
redress
;
and
that
he
now
ventures
to
submit
his
case
to
your
lordship
.
"
"
Make
a
note
to
answer
that
the
fullest
inquiries
shall
be
immediately
instituted
,
"
said
the
Minister
.
"
Shall
I
give
the
necessary
instructions
for
the
inquiry
,
my
lord
?
"
asked
the
Secretary
.
"
Inquiry
!
"
repeated
the
Minister
:
"
are
you
mad
?
Do
you
really
imagine
that
I
shall
be
foolish
enough
to
permit
any
inquiry
at
all
?
Such
a
step
would
be
almost
certain
to
end
in
substantiating
the
pauper
's
charge
against
the
master
;
and
then
there
would
be
a
clamour
from
one
end
of
the
country
to
the
other
against
the
New
Poor
Laws
.
We
must
smother
all
such
affairs
whenever
we
can
;
but
by
writing
to
say
that
the
fullest
inquiries
shall
be
instituted
,
I
shall
be
armed
with
a
reply
to
any
member
who
might
happen
to
bring
the
case
before
Parliament
.
My
answer
to
the
charge
would
then
be
that
her
Majesty
's
Government
had
instituted
a
full
inquiry
into
the
matter
,
and
had
ascertained
that
the
pauper
was
a
quarrelsome
,
obstreperous
,
and
disorderly
person
,
who
was
not
to
be
believed
upon
his
oath
.
"
"
True
,
my
lord
,
"
said
the
Secretary
,
evidently
struck
by
this
display
of
ministerial
wisdom
.
"
The
next
letter
,
my
lord
,
is
from
a
clerk
in
the
Tax
Office
,
Somerset
House
.
He
complains
that
his
income
is
too
small
,
and
that
the
Commissioners
of
Taxes
refuse
to
augment
it
.
He
states
in
pretty
plain
terms
,
that
unless
he
receives
an
augmentation
,
he
shall
not
hesitate
to
publish
the
fact
,
that
the
Dividend
Books
of
the
Bank
of
England
are
removed
to
the
Tax-Office
every
six
months
,
in
order
that
an
account
of
every
fundholder
's
stock
in
the
government
securities
may
be
taken
for
the
information
of
the
Treasury
and
the
Tax
Commissioners
:
he
adds
that
such
an
announcement
would
convulse
the
whole
nation
with
alarm
at
the
awful
state
of
espionnage
under
which
the
people
exist
;
and
he
states
these
grounds
as
a
reason
for
purchasing
his
silence
by
means
of
an
increase
of
salary
.
"
"
This
is
serious
—
very
serious
,
"
said
the
Minister
:
"
but
the
letter
should
have
been
addressed
to
the
Chancellor
of
the
Exchequer
.
You
must
enclose
it
to
my
colleague
.
"
"
Yes
,
my
lord
,
"
replied
the
Secretary
.
At
this
moment
a
gentle
knock
was
heard
at
the
door
of
the
apartment
.
The
Secretary
hastened
to
respond
to
the
summons
,
and
admitted
two
persons
dressed
in
plain
but
decent
attire
.
One
was
a
short
,
stout
,
red-faced
,
consequential-looking
man
:
the
other
was
a
tall
,
raw-boned
,
ungainly
person
,
and
seemed
quite
confounded
at
the
presence
in
which
he
found
himself
.
The
former
of
these
individuals
was
an
inspector
of
police
:
the
latter
was
a
common
police-officer
.
Indeed
,
the
reader
has
been
already
introduced
to
them
,
in
the
fourteenth
chapter
of
this
narrative
.
Having
ushered
these
individuals
into
the
room
,
the
private
secretary
hastened
to
breathe
a
few
words
in
an
under
tone
to
the
ear
of
his
master
.
"
Oh
!
these
are
the
men
,
are
they
?
"
said
the
Minister
aloud
.
"
Yes
,
my
lord
,
"
replied
the
Secretary
;
then
,
addressing
the
police-officers
,
he
exclaimed
.
"
Step
forward
,
my
men
—
step
forward
.
There
—
that
's
right
:
now
sit
down
at
that
side
of
the
table
,
and
let
the
one
who
can
write
best
make
notes
of
the
instructions
that
will
be
immediately
given
to
you
.
"
Both
the
Minister
and
Secretary
were
cautious
enough
not
to
give
those
instructions
in
their
own
handwriting
.
The
men
sate
down
,
as
they
were
desired
;
and
the
inspector
whispered
to
his
companion
an
order
to
assume
the
duties
of
amanuensis
on
the
occasion
.
"
You
are
aware
,
my
good
fellows
,
"
said
the
Minister
,
"
that
there
is
to
be
a
great
political
meeting
to-morrow
evening
somewhere
in
Bethnal
Green
?
"
"
Yes
,
my
lord
,
"
replied
the
inspector
.
"
It
is
necessary
to
the
purposes
of
her
Majesty
's
Government
,
"
continued
the
Minister
,
"
that
discredit
should
be
thrown
upon
all
political
meetings
when
very
liberal
sentiments
are
enunciated
.
"
"
Yes
,
my
lord
,
"
said
the
inspector
.
"
Shall
Crisp
put
that
down
,
my
lord
?
"
"
There
is
no
necessity
to
make
a
note
of
my
observations
,
only
of
my
instructions
,
"
answered
the
Minister
,
with
a
smile
.
"
The
best
method
of
throwing
discredit
upon
those
meetings
is
to
create
a
disturbance
.
You
,
Mr.
Inspector
,
will
therefore
take
care
and
have
at
least
a
dozen
of
your
men
in
plain
clothes
at
the
assembly
to-morrow
evening
.
"
"
Yes
,
my
lord
.
Put
that
down
,
Crisp
.
"
"
You
will
direct
your
men
,
Mr.
Inspector
,
to
applaud
most
vehemently
all
the
inflammatory
parts
of
the
speeches
made
upon
the
occasion
.
"
"
Yes
,
my
lord
.
Put
that
down
,
Crisp
.
"
"
You
will
contrive
that
Mr.
Crisp
,
whom
my
secretary
states
to
be
a
proper
man
for
the
purpose
,
shall
himself
make
a
speech
to-morrow
evening
.
"
"
Yes
,
my
lord
.
Put
that
down
,
Crisp
.
"
"
This
speech
must
be
of
the
most
violent
and
inflammatory
kind
:
it
must
advocate
the
use
of
physical
force
,
denounce
the
aristocracy
,
the
government
,
and
the
parliament
in
the
most
blood-thirsty
terms
;
it
need
not
even
spare
her
most
gracious
Majesty
.
Let
the
cry
be
Blood
;
and
let
your
men
,
Mr.
Inspector
,
applaud
with
deafening
shouts
,
every
period
in
this
incendiary
harangue
.
"
"
Yes
,
my
lord
.
Put
that
down
,
Crisp
.
"
"
The
well-disposed
portion
of
the
audience
will
remonstrate
.
Your
men
in
plain
clothes
can
thus
readily
pick
a
quarrel
;
and
a
quarrel
may
be
easily
made
to
lead
to
blows
.
Then
let
a
posse
of
constables
in
uniform
rush
in
,
and
lay
about
them
with
their
bludgeons
most
unsparingly
.
The
more
broken
heads
and
limbs
,
the
better
.
Be
sure
to
have
some
of
the
audience
taken
into
custody
;
and
on
the
following
morning
,
appear
against
them
before
the
police-magistrate
.
"
"
Yes
,
my
lord
.
Put
that
down
,
Crisp
.
"
"
You
will
take
especial
care
to
denounce
the
individuals
so
captured
,
as
the
ringleaders
of
the
riot
,
and
the
ones
who
made
themselves
most
conspicuous
in
applauding
the
inflammatory
speeches
uttered
on
the
occasion
—
especially
those
which
advocated
rebellion
,
bloodshed
,
and
death
to
monarchy
and
aristocracy
.
"
"
Yes
,
my
lord
.
Put
that
down
,
Crisp
.
"
"
If
the
magistrate
asks
you
—
as
he
will
be
certain
to
do
,
"
continued
the
Minister
,
"
whether
you
are
acquainted
with
the
prisoners
at
the
bar
,
you
can
say
that
they
are
well
known
to
the
police
as
most
dangerous
and
disorderly
characters
.
"
"
Yes
,
my
lord
.
Put
that
down
,
Crisp
.
"
"
You
see
,
"
said
the
Minister
,
turning
towards
his
own
private
secretary
,
"
it
is
ten
to
one
that
the
individuals
so
arrested
will
be
respectable
tradesmen
;
and
as
they
will
thus
obtain
a
taste
of
the
treadmill
(
for
we
must
send
our
private
instructions
to
the
magistrates
at
Lambeth
Street
,
to
that
effect
)
the
warning
will
be
a
most
salutary
one
throughout
the
whole
district
—
especially
at
a
moment
when
the
Spitalfields
weavers
are
reduced
to
desperation
by
their
dreadfully
distressed
condition
.
"
"
Of
course
,
my
lord
,
"
replied
the
Secretary
.
"
Such
a
proceeding
will
sicken
men
of
political
meetings
.
Has
your
lordship
any
farther
instructions
for
these
officers
?
"
"
None
,
"
said
the
Minister
.
"
I
may
,
however
,
add
,
that
if
they
acquit
themselves
well
in
this
respect
,
the
inspector
shall
become
a
superintendent
,
and
the
constable
a
serjeant
.
"
"
Thank
your
lordship
,
"
exclaimed
the
inspector
.
"
You
may
put
that
down
,
too
,
Crisp
—
and
express
your
gratitude
to
his
lordship
for
his
kindness
.
"
Mr.
Crisp
acted
in
all
respects
as
he
was
desired
;
and
having
each
made
an
awkward
bow
,
the
two
officers
retired
.
"
Now
proceed
with
the
correspondence
,
"
said
the
Minister
.
"
Yes
,
my
lord
,
"
replied
the
Secretary
.
"
Here
is
a
letter
from
the
mayor
of
—
—
,
stating
that
the
experiment
of
making
the
prisoners
,
tried
and
untried
,
who
are
confined
in
the
gaol
of
that
town
,
wear
black
masks
whenever
they
are
compelled
to
mingle
together
,
works
well
.
The
mayor
moreover
states
,
that
out
of
two
hundred
prisoners
subjected
to
the
solitary
system
,
since
the
introduction
of
the
plan
into
the
gaol
,
only
nineteen
have
gone
mad
,
and
of
those
only
three
have
died
raving
.
He
therefore
recommends
the
solitary
system
.
He
adds
that
all
personal
identity
is
now
destroyed
in
the
prison
,
and
prisoners
are
known
by
numbers
instead
of
by
their
names
.
He
concludes
by
inquiring
whether
these
regulations
shall
continue
in
force
?
"
"
Most
assuredly
,
"
answered
the
Minister
.
"
Make
a
note
that
a
reply
is
to
be
sent
to
that
effect
.
I
am
glad
the
system
of
solitary
confinement
,
black
cloth
masks
,
and
numbers
instead
of
names
,
works
well
.
I
shall
gradually
apply
it
to
every
criminal
prison
in
England
.
At
the
same
time
,
I
must
endeavour
to
throw
the
odium
of
the
introduction
of
that
system
upon
the
justices
in
quarter
sessions
assembled
—
in
case
I
should
be
assailed
on
the
subject
in
the
House
.
"
"
Certainly
,
my
lord
.
This
letter
is
from
the
secret
agent
,
sent
down
to
Manchester
to
inquire
into
the
constitution
and
principles
of
the
Independent
Order
of
Rechabites
.
He
obtained
admission
into
a
lodge
,
and
was
regularly
initiated
a
member
of
the
Brotherhood
.
He
finds
that
the
Rechabites
are
about
eighty
thousand
in
number
,
having
lodges
in
all
the
great
cities
and
towns
of
England
,
with
the
head-quarters
at
Manchester
.
The
Order
is
not
political
;
but
is
formed
of
sections
of
the
Teetotal
Societies
.
The
government
need
not
entertain
any
fears
of
this
combination
.
The
agent
sends
up
a
detailed
account
of
the
secrets
and
signs
connected
with
the
Order
,
accompanied
by
a
copy
of
the
rules
and
regulations
.
"
"
These
Teetotalers
must
not
be
encouraged
.
They
are
seriously
injuring
the
Excise-revenues
.
Proceed
.
"
"
This
letter
,
my
lord
,
is
from
the
principal
agent
sent
down
into
the
mining
districts
,
to
encourage
a
spirit
of
discontent
amongst
the
pitmen
.
He
says
that
he
has
no
doubt
of
being
enabled
to
produce
a
disturbance
in
the
north
,
and
thus
afford
your
lordship
the
wished-for
opportunity
of
sending
more
troops
in
that
direction
.
When
once
over-awed
by
the
presence
of
a
formidable
number
of
bayonets
,
the
pitmen
will
be
compelled
to
submit
to
the
terms
dictated
by
the
coal-mine
proprietors
;
and
your
lordship
's
aims
will
be
thus
accomplished
.
"
"
I
am
glad
of
that
.
The
coal-mine
proprietors
are
rich
and
influential
men
,
whom
it
is
necessary
to
conciliate
,
"
said
the
Minister
.
"
What
next
?
"
"
Here
is
a
letter
,
my
lord
,
"
continued
the
Secretary
,
"
from
Sir
Joseph
Gosborne
,
stating
that
his
daughter
,
Miss
Gosborne
,
was
taken
into
custody
yesterday
morning
on
an
accusation
of
stealing
a
jar
of
anchovies
from
an
oilman
's
shop
.
The
magistrate
refused
to
take
bail
,
and
remanded
the
young
lady
until
next
Monday
.
Sir
Joseph
is
anxious
that
his
daughter
should
be
admitted
to
bail
,
because
,
in
that
case
,
should
he
fail
to
settle
with
the
prosecutor
,
he
can
keep
his
daughter
out
of
the
way
when
the
day
of
trial
arrives
,
and
pay
the
money
for
the
estreated
recognizances
.
He
is
moreover
desirous
that
the
case
should
be
sent
to
the
Sessions
,
because
,
if
by
any
accident
the
matter
should
go
to
trial
,
a
verdict
of
acquittal
is
certain
at
the
hands
of
a
Clerkenwell
jury
,
but
by
no
means
sure
with
an
Old
Bailey
one
.
"
"
Make
a
memorandum
to
write
to
the
magistrate
who
will
hear
the
case
next
Monday
,
to
take
bail
—
moderate
bail
,
mind
—
and
to
refer
the
matter
to
the
Sessions
.
We
must
not
refuse
to
oblige
Sir
Joseph
Gosborne
.
"
While
the
private
secretary
was
still
writing
,
a
servant
entered
and
informed
the
Minister
that
Mr.
Teynham
was
waiting
,
and
solicited
an
audience
.
"
Ah
!
the
new
magistrate
at
Marlborough
Street
,
"
exclaimed
the
Home
Secretary
.
"
Show
him
in
.
"
Mr.
Teynham
,
a
middle-aged
gentleman
attired
in
black
,
was
introduced
accordingly
.
He
bowed
very
low
to
the
Minister
,
and
,
when
desired
to
take
a
chair
,
obsequiously
seated
himself
upon
the
very
edge
.
"
I
have
recommended
you
to
Her
Majesty
,
Mr.
Teynham
,
"
said
the
Minister
,
"
as
a
fit
and
proper
person
to
fill
the
situation
of
police-magistrate
and
justice
of
the
peace
at
the
Marlborough
Street
Court
;
and
her
Majesty
has
been
most
graciously
pleased
to
confirm
the
appointment
.
"
Mr.
Teynham
bowed
very
low
,
and
became
entangled
in
a
labyrinth
of
acknowledgments
,
with
which
"
deep
gratitude
"
—
"
sense
of
duty
"
—
"
impartial
distribution
of
justice
,
"
and
such
like
phrases
were
blended
.
"
It
is
necessary
,
"
said
the
Minister
,
after
a
pause
,
"
that
I
should
give
you
a
few
instructions
with
respect
to
the
functions
upon
which
you
are
about
to
enter
.
You
are
aware
,
Mr.
Teynham
,
that
the
young
gentlemen
of
the
aristocracy
are
occasionally
addicted
to
wrenching
off
knockers
,
pulling
down
bells
,
and
other
innocent
little
pranks
of
a
similar
nature
.
These
are
delicate
cases
to
deal
with
,
Mr.
Teynham
;
but
I
need
scarcely
inform
you
that
the
treadmill
is
not
for
the
aristocracy
.
"
"
I
understand
,
my
lord
.
A
trifling
fine
,
with
a
reprimand
—
and
a
little
wholesome
advice
—
"
"
Precisely
,
Mr.
Teynham
—
precisely
!
"
cried
the
Minister
:
"
I
see
that
you
understand
your
business
well
.
The
nice
discrimination
which
you
possess
will
always
teach
you
whether
you
have
a
gentleman
to
deal
with
,
or
not
.
If
a
low
person
choose
to
divert
himself
with
aristocratic
amusements
,
punish
him
—
do
not
spare
him
—
send
him
to
the
treadmill
.
In
the
same
way
that
game
is
preserved
for
the
sport
of
the
upper
classes
,
so
must
the
knockers
and
the
bells
be
saved
from
spoliation
by
the
lower
orders
.
"
"
I
fully
comprehend
your
lordship
,
"
said
the
newly-made
magistrate
.
"
I
should
like
,
however
,
to
know
your
lordship
's
sentiments
in
one
respect
.
"
"
Speak
,
Mr.
Teynham
,
"
said
the
Minister
,
with
the
most
condescending
affability
,
or
the
most
affable
condescension
—
whichever
the
reader
likes
best
.
"
Suppose
,
my
lord
,
that
a
young
nobleman
or
well-born
gentleman
wrenches
off
a
knocker
,
and
throws
it
into
the
street
;
then
suppose
,
my
lord
,
that
a
poor
man
,
passing
by
,
picks
up
the
knocker
and
carries
it
off
to
a
marine-store
dealer
's
to
sell
it
for
old
iron
,
in
order
to
procure
his
family
a
meal
;
and
then
if
your
lordship
will
be
kind
enough
to
suppose
that
both
those
persons
are
brought
up
before
me
—
the
nobleman
for
wrenching
off
the
knocker
and
throwing
it
away
,
and
the
poor
man
for
picking
it
up
and
selling
it
,
—
how
am
I
to
act
in
such
a
case
?
"
"
Very
ingenious
—
very
ingenious
,
indeed
,
Mr.
Teynham
,
"
said
the
Minister
:
"
you
will
make
an
excellent
magistrate
!
Your
course
in
the
case
propounded
is
clear
;
the
nobleman
is
fined
five
shillings
for
being
drunk
and
disorderly
—
because
all
noblemen
and
gentlemen
who
wrench
off
knockers
are
drunk
and
disorderly
;
and
the
poor
man
must
be
committed
to
the
House
of
Correction
for
three
months
.
Nothing
is
plainer
,
Mr.
Teynham
.
"
"
Nothing
,
my
lord
.
Has
your
lordship
any
farther
instructions
?
"
"
Oh
!
decidedly
,
"
returned
the
Minister
.
"
When
any
individual
connected
with
a
noble
or
influential
family
gets
into
a
scrape
,
and
is
brought
before
you
,
hear
the
case
in
private
,
and
exclude
the
reporters
.
Again
,
never
commit
such
a
person
for
trial
,
unless
you
are
absolutely
compelled
.
Let
him
go
upon
bail
:
it
will
be
ten
to
one
if
you
are
ever
troubled
any
more
with
the
case
.
There
is
another
point
to
which
I
must
direct
your
attention
.
The
practice
of
shoplifting
among
ladies
has
increased
lately
to
a
fearful
degree
.
But
,
after
all
,
it
is
only
a
little
eccentricity
—
indeed
one
might
almost
call
it
an
amiable
weakness
.
The
fact
is
,
that
many
ladies
will
go
into
a
shop
,
purchase
a
hundred-guinea
shawl
,
and
secrete
an
eighteen-penny
pair
of
gloves
.
Prudent
husbands
and
fathers
avert
the
tradesman
,
with
whom
their
wives
and
daughters
deal
,
beforehand
;
and
these
trifling
abstractions
are
duly
entered
in
the
running
accounts
;
but
now
and
then
a
lady
does
get
taken
up
.
In
such
a
case
you
must
show
her
every
possible
distinction
.
Order
her
a
chair
in
the
dock
:
and
before
the
business
comes
on
,
permit
her
to
remain
with
her
friends
in
the
'
magistrates
'
private
room
.
'
Then
,
if
the
prosecutor
hesitates
in
giving
his
evidence
,
fly
into
a
passion
,
tell
him
that
he
is
prevaricating
and
not
worthy
to
be
believed
upon
his
oath
,
and
indignantly
dismiss
the
case
.
The
accused
lady
can
then
step
into
her
carriage
,
and
drive
off
comfortably
home
.
"
"
Your
lordship
's
instructions
shall
be
complied
with
to
the
very
letter
,
"
said
Mr.
Teynham
.
"
In
a
word
,
"
continued
the
Minister
,
"
you
must
always
shield
the
upper
classes
as
much
as
possible
;
and
in
order
to
veil
their
little
peccadilloes
,
bring
out
the
misdeeds
of
the
lower
orders
in
the
boldest
relief
.
This
is
the
only
way
to
support
the
doctrine
that
the
poor
must
be
governed
by
the
rich
.
Whenever
young
boys
or
girls
appear
as
witnesses
,
ask
them
if
they
know
the
value
of
an
oath
;
and
if
they
reply
in
the
negative
,
expatiate
upon
the
frightful
immorality
prevalent
among
the
poorer
classes
,
so
that
the
reporters
may
record
your
observations
.
This
does
good
—
and
enables
the
Bishops
to
make
long
speeches
in
the
House
of
Lords
on
the
necessity
of
religious
instruction
,
and
the
want
of
more
churches
.
If
you
attend
to
these
remarks
of
mine
,
Mr.
Teynham
,
you
will
make
an
excellent
magistrate
.
"
"
Your
lordship
may
rely
upon
me
,
"
was
the
submissive
answer
.
"
There
is
one
more
point
—
I
had
almost
forgotten
it
,
"
said
the
Home
Secretary
.
"
You
must
invariably
take
the
part
of
the
police
.
Remember
that
the
oath
of
one
police-officer
is
worth
the
oaths
of
a
dozen
defendants
.
This
only
applies
to
the
collision
of
the
police
with
the
lower
orders
,
mind
.
As
a
general
rule
,
remember
that
the
police
are
always
in
the
right
when
the
poor
are
concerned
,
and
always
in
the
wrong
when
the
rich
are
brought
before
you
.
And
now
,
Mr.
Teynham
,
I
have
nothing
more
to
say
.
"
The
newly-made
magistrate
rose
,
bowed
several
times
,
and
withdrew
,
walking
obsequiously
upon
the
points
of
his
toes
for
fear
his
boots
should
creak
in
the
awful
presence
of
the
Home
Secretary
.
But
if
"
his
worship
"
were
thus
meek
and
lowly
before
his
patron
,
he
afterwards
avenged
himself
for
that
constraint
,
when
seated
in
the
magisterial
chair
,
upon
the
poor
devils
that
appeared
before
him
!
The
private
secretary
was
about
to
proceed
with
the
correspondence
addressed
from
different
quarters
to
the
Minister
,
when
a
servant
entered
the
room
,
and
placed
a
card
upon
the
table
before
this
great
officer
of
state
.
"
The
Earl
of
Warrington
?
"
said
the
Minister
.
"
I
will
receive
him
.
"
The
servant
withdrew
,
and
the
private
secretary
retired
to
an
inner
apartment
.
In
a
few
moments
the
Earl
of
Warrington
was
announced
.
When
the
usual
civilities
had
been
exchanged
between
the
two
noblemen
,
the
Earl
of
Warrington
said
,
"
I
have
called
,
my
lord
,
upon
a
matter
which
,
I
hope
from
the
knowledge
I
have
of
your
lordship
's
character
,
will
be
considered
by
you
as
one
of
importance
to
the
whole
nation
.
"
"
The
estimate
your
lordship
forms
of
any
business
can
be
no
mean
guide
to
my
own
opinion
,
"
answered
the
Minister
.
"
I
am
not
quite
aware
whether
I
am
acting
in
accordance
with
official
etiquette
,
to
bring
the
matter
alluded
to
under
the
notice
of
your
lordship
,
or
whether
it
would
have
been
more
regular
in
me
to
have
addressed
myself
direct
to
the
Postmaster-General
or
the
Prime
Minister
;
but
as
I
have
the
honour
of
being
better
acquainted
with
your
lordship
than
with
any
of
your
colleagues
in
the
administration
,
I
made
up
my
mind
to
come
hither
.
"
"
I
shall
be
most
happy
to
serve
your
lordship
in
any
way
in
my
power
,
"
said
the
Minister
.
"
Then
I
shall
at
once
come
to
the
point
,
"
continued
the
Earl
of
Warrington
.
"
A
friend
of
mine
—
a
lady
who
resides
in
London
—
has
corresponded
for
some
months
past
with
a
lady
living
in
the
state
of
Castelcicala
;
and
there
is
every
reason
to
believe
that
the
letters
addressed
to
my
friend
in
London
,
have
been
opened
during
the
transit
.
"
"
Indeed
,
"
said
the
Minister
,
not
a
muscle
of
whose
countenance
moved
as
he
heard
this
communication
.
"
May
I
ask
what
is
the
nature
of
the
proofs
that
such
is
the
fact
?
"
"
I
believe
,
"
returned
the
Earl
of
Warrington
,
"
that
the
letters
have
been
opened
at
the
English
Post-office
.
"
"
The
English
Post-office
!
"
ejaculated
the
Minister
,
with
an
air
of
great
surprise
—
whether
real
or
affected
,
we
must
leave
our
readers
to
determine
.
"
Yes
,
my
lord
—
the
English
Post-office
,
"
said
the
Earl
of
Warrington
,
firmly
.
"
The
proofs
are
these
;
"
—
and
,
extracting
the
letters
from
his
pocket
,
he
pointed
out
to
the
Minister
the
same
appearances
which
he
had
ere
now
explained
to
Mrs.
Arlington
.
"
On
this
last
letter
,
"
said
the
Minister
,
"
I
perceive
the
ducal
arms
of
Castelcicala
.
"
"
The
present
Grand
Duchess
of
that
state
is
the
correspondent
of
Mrs.
Arlington
,
to
whom
,
your
lordship
may
perceive
,
these
letters
are
addressed
.
"
"
And
her
Serene
Highness
is
a
relative
of
your
lordship
,
I
believe
?
"
observed
the
Minister
inquiringly
.
"
Which
circumstance
,
united
with
my
friendship
for
Mrs.
Arlington
,
has
determined
me
to
inquire
into
this
matter
—
nay
,
to
sift
it
to
the
very
bottom
.
"
"
Your
lordship
can
scarcely
suppose
that
the
contents
of
letters
are
violated
by
the
sanction
of
the
Post-Master
General
?
"
said
the
Minister
,
darting
a
keen
glance
upon
the
earl
.
"
I
will
not
take
upon
myself
to
accuse
any
individual
directly
,
"
was
the
answer
.
"
Nor
is
it
worth
while
to
scrutinise
a
matter
which
will
probably
terminate
in
the
discovery
that
the
impertinent
curiosity
of
some
clerk
has
led
to
the
evil
complained
of
,
"
said
the
Minister
.
"
No
,
my
lord
—
this
violation
of
private
correspondence
has
been
conducted
too
systematically
to
be
the
work
of
a
clerk
surrounded
by
prying
eyes
and
hurried
with
the
fear
of
detection
every
moment
.
Here
are
two
distinct
coats
of
wax
on
several
of
the
letters
;
and
yet
the
impressions
of
the
original
seals
are
retained
.
Those
impressions
were
not
taken
by
artificial
process
in
an
instant
,
nor
without
previous
preparation
.
"
"
Then
whom
does
your
lordship
suspect
?
"
inquired
the
Minister
,
with
a
trifling
uneasiness
of
manner
.
"
I
come
to
ask
your
lordship
to
furnish
me
with
a
clue
to
this
mystery
,
and
not
to
supply
one
.
Were
I
acquainted
with
the
real
truth
,
I
should
know
what
course
to
pursue
.
"
"
And
what
course
would
that
be
?
"
"
In
the
next
session
of
Parliament
,
I
would
rise
in
my
place
in
the
House
of
Lords
,
and
proclaim
to
the
whole
nation
—
nay
,
to
the
entire
world
—
the
disgraceful
fact
,
that
England
,
the
land
of
vaunted
freedom
,
possesses
an
institution
where
the
most
sacred
ties
of
honour
are
basely
violated
and
trampled
under
foot
.
"
"
But
suppose
,
my
lord
—
I
only
say
suppose
,
"
cried
the
Minister
,
"
that
her
Majesty
's
government
should
consider
it
vitally
important
to
English
interests
to
be
acquainted
with
the
contents
of
certain
letters
,
—
suppose
,
I
say
,
my
lord
,
that
such
were
the
case
,
—
would
you
then
think
it
necessary
to
publish
your
discovery
,
—
presuming
that
your
lordship
has
made
such
discovery
,
—
of
that
necessary
proceeding
on
the
part
of
her
Majesty
's
government
?
"
"
I
am
afraid
that
your
lordship
has
now
afforded
me
a
clue
to
the
mystery
which
has
perplexed
me
,
"
said
the
Earl
of
Warrington
coldly
.
"
And
as
a
nobleman
devoted
to
your
country
,
your
lordship
must
recognise
the
imperious
necessity
of
adopting
such
a
course
,
at
times
,
as
the
one
now
made
known
to
you
.
"
"
As
a
nobleman
devoted
to
my
country
,
"
exclaimed
the
Earl
of
Warrington
proudly
,
"
I
abhor
and
detest
all
underhand
means
of
obtaining
information
which
serves
as
a
guide
for
diplomatic
intrigue
,
but
which
in
nowise
affects
the
sterling
interests
of
the
state
.
"
"
Your
lordship
speaks
warmly
,
"
said
the
Minister
.
"
And
were
I
in
my
place
in
Parliament
,
I
should
speak
more
warmly
—
far
more
warmly
still
.
I
am
,
however
,
here
in
your
lordship
's
apartment
,
and
the
laws
of
courtesy
do
not
permit
me
to
express
my
feelings
as
I
elsewhere
should
do
—
and
as
I
elsewhere
shall
do
.
"
"
Your
lordship
will
reflect
,
"
said
the
Minister
,
now
really
alarmed
,
—
"
your
lordship
will
reflect
—
maturely
—
seriously
—
—
"
"
It
requires
no
reflection
to
teach
me
my
duty
.
"
"
But
,
my
dear
earl
—
—
"
"
My
lord
?
"
"
The
peace
of
the
country
frequently
depends
upon
the
information
which
we
acquire
in
this
manner
.
"
"
Then
had
the
peace
of
the
country
better
be
occasionally
menaced
,
than
that
the
sacred
envelope
of
a
letter
should
be
violated
?
"
"
Your
lordship
is
too
severe
,
"
said
the
Minister
.
"
No
—
my
lord
:
I
am
not
,
under
the
circumstances
,
severe
enough
.
Behold
the
gross
injustice
of
the
system
.
The
law
forbids
us
to
transmit
sealed
letters
through
any
other
medium
than
the
Post-office
;
and
yet
that
very
Post-office
is
made
the
scene
of
the
violation
of
those
sacred
missives
.
My
lord
,
it
is
impossible
to
defend
so
atrocious
a
proceeding
.
Now
,
my
lord
,
I
have
spoken
as
warmly
as
I
feel
.
"
"
Really
,
my
dear
earl
,
you
must
not
permit
this
little
business
to
go
any
further
.
You
shall
have
for
your
friends
every
satisfaction
they
require
:
their
correspondence
shall
be
strictly
inviolate
in
future
.
And
now
,
my
lord
,
"
continued
the
Minister
,
with
a
smile
whose
deceptive
blandness
Mr.
Greenwood
would
have
envied
,
"
let
me
request
attention
to
another
point
.
The
Premier
has
placed
your
lordship
's
name
on
the
list
of
peers
who
are
to
be
raised
to
a
more
elevated
rank
ere
the
opening
of
the
next
session
;
and
your
lordship
may
exchange
your
coronet
of
an
earldom
against
that
of
a
marquisate
.
"
"
Her
Majesty
's
government
,
"
replied
the
earl
with
chilling
—
freezing
hauteur
,
"
would
do
well
to
reserve
that
honour
in
respect
to
me
,
until
it
may
choose
to
reward
me
when
I
shall
have
performed
a
duty
that
I
owe
my
country
,
and
exposed
a
system
to
express
my
full
sense
of
which
I
dare
not
now
trust
my
tongue
with
epithets
.
Good
morning
,
my
lord
.
"
And
the
Earl
of
Warrington
walked
proudly
from
the
room
.
On
the
following
day
a
cabinet
council
was
held
at
the
Home
Office
.
CHAPTER
XCV
.
THE
FORGER
AND
THE
ADULTERESS
.
IT
was
evening
;
and
Lady
Cecilia
Harborough
was
seated
alone
in
the
drawing-room
of
the
house
which
she
and
her
husband
occupied
in
Tavistock
Square
.
A
cheerful
fire
blazed
in
the
grate
:
the
lamp
upon
the
table
diffused
a
soft
and
mellow
lustre
through
the
apartment
.
Lady
Cecilia
's
manner
was
pensive
:
a
deep
shade
of
melancholy
overspread
her
countenance
;
and
at
times
her
lips
quivered
,
and
her
bosom
heaved
convulsively
.
She
was
evidently
attempting
to
struggle
with
feelings
of
a
very
painful
nature
.
"
Slighted
—
neglected
—
perhaps
despised
!
"
she
at
length
murmured
.
"
Oh
!
what
an
indignity
!
To
have
yielded
myself
up
entirely
to
that
man
—
and
now
to
be
cast
aside
in
this
manner
!
For
months
past
have
I
observed
that
his
conduct
grew
more
and
more
cool
towards
me
;
—
his
visits
became
less
frequent
;
—
he
made
appointments
with
me
and
did
not
keep
them
;
—
he
remonstrated
with
me
for
what
he
called
my
extravagance
,
when
I
asked
him
for
