We spare the reader the just reproaches which the unhappy father, at this moment, uttered against the son’s duplicity. It was his fate, he said, to be ruined by those for whom he had been labouring and planning, night and day, for so many years. “And now,” concluded Mr. Falconer, “here am I, reduced to sell almost the last acre of my paternal estate--I shall literally have nothing left but Falconer-court, and my annuity!--Nothing!--But it must be done, ill as he has used me, and impossible as it is, ever, even at this crisis, to get the truth from him--I must pay the money: he is in jail, and cannot be liberated without this sum. I have here, you see, under the hand of the chief magistrate, sufficient proof--I will not, however, trouble you, my dear sir, with showing more of these letters--only it is a comfort to me to speak to one who will listen with some sympathy--Ah! sir, when out of place!--out of favour!--selling one’s estate!--how people change!--But I am taking up your time. Since these lands are to be sold, the sooner the better. Your father, you know, is trustee to my marriage-settlements, and, I believe, his consent, his signature, will be necessary--will it not?--I am no lawyer--I really am not clear what _is_ necessary--and my solicitor, Mr. Sharpe, I have dismissed: perhaps you will allow me to put the business into your hands?” Alfred undertook it, and kindly told the commissioner that if he would send him his papers, he would, without putting him to any expense, look them over carefully--have all the necessary releases drawn--and make his title clear to any purchaser who should apply. The commissioner was full of gratitude for this friendly offer, and immediately begged that he might leave his title-deeds. Accordingly the servant was desired to bring in the box which he had left in the carriage. The commissioner then rose to take leave, but Alfred begged he would stay till he had written a list of the deeds, as he made it a rule never to take charge of any papers, without giving a receipt for them. The commissioner thought this “a superfluous delicacy between friends and relatives;” but Alfred observed that relations would, perhaps, oftener continue friends, if in matters of business, they took care always to be as exact as if they were strangers. The commissioner looked at his watch--said he was in haste--he was going to wait upon Lord Somebody, from whom, in spite of all his experience, he expected something. “You will find a list of the deeds, I have a notion,” said he, “in the box, Mr. Alfred Percy, and you need only sign it--that will be quite sufficient.” “When I have compared the papers with the list, I will sign it,” said Alfred: “my clerk and I will do it as quickly as possible. Believe me, you cannot be in greater haste than I am.”