“Then I will direct you instantly to the proper channels for information.” Whilst Lord Oldborough wrote directions, Alfred assured him he would fulfil his commission with all the discretion and celerity in his power. “The next step,” continued Lord Oldborough--“for, on such a subject, I wish to say all that is necessary at once, that it may be banished from my mind--your next step, supposing the facts to be ascertained, is to go with this letter--my answer to the Duke of Greenwich. See him--and see the marquis. In matters of consequence have nothing to do with secondary people--deal with the principals. Show in the first place, as a lawyer, that their divorce is unattainable--next, show the marquis that he destroys his son and heir by attempting it. The duke, I believe, would be glad of a pretext for dissolving the political connexion between me and the Greenwich family. He fears me, and he fears the world: he dares not abandon me without a pretence for the dissolution of friendship. He is a weak man, and never dares to act without a pretext; but show him that a divorce is not necessary for his purpose--a separation will do as well--Or without it, I am ready to break with him at council, in the House of Lords, on a hundred political points; and let him shield himself as he may from the reproach of desertion, by leaving the blame of quarrel on my impracticability, or on what he will, I care not--so that my family be saved from the ignominy of divorce.” As he sealed his letter, Lord Oldborough went on in abrupt sentences. “I never counted on a weak man’s friendship--I can do without his grace--Woman! Woman! The same--ever since the beginning of the world!” Then turning to Alfred to deliver the letter into his hand, “Your brother, Major Percy, sir--I think I recollect--He was better in the West Indies.” “I was just thinking so, my lord,” said Alfred. “Yes--better encounter the plague than a fool.” Lord Oldborough had never before distinctly adverted to his knowledge of his niece’s partiality for Godfrey, but his lordship now added, “Major Percy’s honourable conduct is not unknown: I trust honourable conduct never was, and never will be, lost upon me.--This to the Duke of Greenwich--and this to the marquis.--Since it was to be, I rejoice that this Captain Bellamy is the gallant.--Had it been your brother, sir--could there have been any love in the case--not, observe, that I believe in love, much less am I subject to the weakness of remorse--but a twinge might have seized my mind--I might possibly have been told that the marchioness was married against her inclination.--But I am at ease on that point--my judgment of her was right.--You will let me know, in one word, the result of your negotiation without entering into particulars--divorce, or no divorce, is all I wish to hear.”