Were the letter to be published he
could answer it, he thought, in such a manner as to defend himself
and her without damage to either. But on her behalf he was bound to
prevent this publicity if it could be prevented;--and he was bound
also, for her sake, to allow himself to be called Finn by this most
obnoxious editor. "In the ordinary course of things, Finn, it will
come out to-morrow morning," said the obnoxious editor.
"Every word of it is untrue," said Phineas.
"You say that, of course."
"And I should at once declare myself willing to make such a statement
on oath. It is a libel of the grossest kind, and of course there
would be a prosecution. Both Lord Brentford and I would be driven to
that."
"We should be quite indifferent. Mr. Kennedy would hold us harmless.
We're straightforward. My showing it to you would prove that."
"What is it you want, Mr. Slide?"
"Want! You don't suppose we want anything. If you think that the
columns of the _People's Banner_ are to be bought, you must have
opinions respecting the press of the day which make me pity you as
one grovelling in the very dust.
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