Lord Oldborough gave his grace no assistance.
“My private regard,” he repeated.
A smile of contempt on Lord Oldborough’s countenance.
“Your lordship’s hitherto invulnerable public integrity—”
A glance of indignation from Lord Oldborough.
“Hitherto invulnerable!—your grace will explain.”
“Let these—these fatal notes—letters—unfortunately got into the hands of a leading, impracticable member of opposition, and by him laid—Would that I had been apprised, or could have conceived it possible, time enough to prevent that step; but it was done before I had the slightest intimation—laid before his majesty—”
Lord Oldborough calmly received the letters from his grace.
“My own handwriting, and private seal, I perceive.”
The duke sighed—and whilst Lord Oldborough drew out, opened, and read the first letter in the parcel, his grace went on—“This affair has thrown us all into the greatest consternation. It is to be brought before parliament immediately—unless a resignation should take place—which we should all deplore. The impudence, the inveteracy of that fellow, is astonishing—no silencing him. We might hush up the affair if his majesty had not been apprised; but where the interest of the service is concerned, his majesty is warm.”