The daily press of London is pure
and immaculate. That is, the morning papers are. Want, indeed! What
do you think I want?"
"I have not the remotest idea."
"Purity of morals, Finn;--punishment for the guilty;--defence for the
innocent;--support for the weak;--safety for the oppressed;--and a
rod of iron for the oppressors!"
"But that is a libel."
"It's very heavy on the old Earl, and upon you, and upon Lady
Laura;--isn't it?"
"It's a libel,--as you know. You tell me that purity of morals can be
supported by such a publication as this! Had you meant to go on with
it, you would hardly have shown it to me."
"You're in the wrong box there, Finn. Now I'll tell you what
we'll do,--on behalf of what I call real purity. We'll delay the
publication if you'll undertake that the lady shall go back to her
husband."
"The lady is not in my hands."
"She's under your influence. You were with her over at Dresden not
much more than a month ago. She'd go sharp enough if you told her."
"You never made a greater mistake in your life.
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