The whole was explained by Lord Oldborough succinctly. The astonishment and horror in the poor commissioner’s countenance and gestures, and still more, the eagerness with which he begged to be permitted to try to discover the authors of this forgery, were sufficient proofs that he had not the slightest suspicion that the guilt could be traced to any of his own family. Lord Oldborough’s look, fixed on the commissioner, expressed what it had once before expressed--“Sir, from my soul, I pity you!” The commissioner saw this look, and wondered why Lord Oldborough should pity _him_ at a time when all his lordship’s feelings should naturally be for himself. “My lord, I would engage we shall discover--we shall trace it.” “I believe that I have discovered--that I have traced it,” said Lord Oldborough; and he sighed. Now that sigh was more incomprehensible to the commissioner than all the rest, and he stood with his lips open for a moment before he could utter, “Why then resign, my lord?” “That is my affair,” said Lord Oldborough. “Let us, if you please, sir, think of yours; for, probably, this is the only time I shall ever more have it in my power to be of the least service to you.” “Oh! my lord--my lord, don’t say so!” said the commissioner quite forgetting all his artificial manner, and speaking naturally: “the last time you shall have it in your power!--Oh! my dear lord, don’t say so!” “My dear sir, I must--it gives me pain--you see it does.” “At such a time as this to think of me instead of yourself! My lord, I never knew you till this moment--so well.” “Nor I you, sir,” said Lord Oldborough. “It is the more unfortunate for us both, that our connexion and intercourse must now for ever cease.” “Never, never, my lord, if you were to go out of power to-morrow--which Heaven, in its mercy and justice, forbid! I could never forget the goodness--I would never desert--in spite of all interest--I should continue--I hope your lordship would permit me to pay my duty--all intercourse could never cease.” Lord Oldborough saw, and almost smiled at the struggle between the courtier and the man--the confusion in the commissioner’s mind between his feelings and his interest. Partly his lordship relieved, and partly he pained Mr. Falconer, by saying, in his firm tone, “I thank you, Mr. Falconer; but all intercourse must cease. After this hour, we meet no more. I beg you, sir, to collect your spirits, and to listen to me calmly. Before this day is at an end, you will understand why all farther intercourse between us would be useless to your interest, and incompatible with my honour. Before many hours are past, a blow will be struck which will go to your heart--for I see you have one--and deprive you of the power of thought. It is my wish to make that blow fall as lightly upon you as possible.”