But the letter had been suppressed in a second batch of 190 copies, which the messenger was just in time to seize.

Pope had of course foreseen and prepared this result.
The whole proceeding in the Lords was thus rendered abortive.

The books were restored to Curll, and the sale continued.

But the device meanwhile had recoiled upon its author; the very danger against which he should have guarded himself had now occurred.

How were the letters procured?
Not till Curll was coming up for examination does it seem to have occurred to Pope that the Lords would inevitably ask the awkward question.