Then, at the happy moment, stepped in the rival Secretary Cope, and put into his lordship’s hands the epigram and the anecdote.
All this the reader is to take as a note explanatory upon Lord Oldborough’s last speech to Alfred, and now to go on with the conversation—at the word elucidate.
“I suspect,” continued his lordship, “that Mr. Alfred Percy knows more of this pamphlet altogether than the reputed author ever did.”
Alfred felt himself change colour, and the genius in the garret rushed upon his mind; at the same instant he recollected that he was not at liberty to name Mr. Temple, and that he must not betray Cunningham. Alfred answered that it was not surprising he should know the pamphlet well, as he probably admired it more, and had read it oftener, than the author himself had ever done.
“Very well parried, young gentleman. You will not allow, then, that you had any hand in writing it?”
“No, my lord,” said Alfred, “I had none whatever; I never saw it till it was published.”
“I have not a right, in politeness, to press the question. Permit me, however, to say, that it is a performance of which any man might be proud.”
“I should, my lord, be proud—very proud, if I had written it; but I am incapable of assuming a merit that is not mine, and I trust the manner in which I now disclaim it does not appear like the affected modesty of an author who wishes to have that believed which he denies. I hope I convince your lordship of the truth.”
“I cannot have any doubt of what you assert in this serious manner, sir. May I ask if you can tell me the name of the real author?”
“Excuse me, my lord—I cannot. I have answered your lordship with perfect openness, as far as I am concerned.”