Lord Oldborough’s countenance cleared. The commissioner recovered his presence of mind, for he thought he saw his way before him. “I thought it my duty to let your lordship know the first hint I had of such a nature; for how soon it might be surmised, or what steps might be taken, I must leave it to your lordship to judge--I can only assure you, that as yet, to the best of my belief, John has not any suspicion: fortunately, he is very slow--and not very bright.” Lord Oldborough stood with compressed lips, seeming to listen, but deep in thought. “Mr. Commissioner Falconer, let us understand one another well now--as we have done hitherto. If your son, Cornet Falconer, were to marry Maria Hauton, she would no longer be my niece, he would have a portionless, friendless, and, in my opinion, a very silly wife. He is, I think you say, not very bright himself--he would probably remain a cornet the rest of his days--all idea of assistance being of course out of the question in that case, from me or mine, to him or his.” The awful pause which Lord Oldborough made, and his determined look, gave the commissioner opportunity to reflect much in a few seconds. “On the contrary,” resumed his lordship, “if your son John, my dear sir, show the same desire to comply with my wishes, and to serve my interests, which I have found in the rest of his family, he shall find me willing and able to advance him as well as his brother Cunningham.” “Your lordship’s wishes will, I can answer for it, be laws to him, as well as to the rest of his family.” “In one word then--let Cornet Falconer be married elsewhere, within a fortnight, and I prophesy that within a year he shall be a field-officer--within two years, a lieutenant-colonel.” Commissioner Falconer bowed twice--low to the field-officer--lower to the lieutenant-colonel. “I have long had a match in my eye for John,” said the father; “but a fortnight, my gracious lord--that is so very short a time! Your lordship will consider there are delicacies in these cases--no young lady--it is impossible--your lordship must be sensible that it is really impossible, with a young lady of any family.” “I am aware that it is difficult, but not impossible,” replied Lord Oldborough, rising deliberately. The commissioner took his leave, stammering somewhat of “nothing being impossible for a friend,” courtier, he should have said.