In these encounters,
Phineas Finn had already exhibited his prowess, and, in spite of his
declarations at Tankerville, had become prominent as an opponent to
Mr. Daubeny's bill. He had, of course, himself been taunted, and held
up in the House to the execration of his own constituents; but he had
enjoyed his fight, and had remembered how his friend Mr. Monk had
once told him that the pleasure lay all on the side of opposition.
But on this evening he declined to speak. "I suppose you have hardly
recovered from Kennedy's pistol," said Mr. Ratler, who had, of
course, heard the whole story. "That, and the whole affair together
have upset me," said Phineas. "Fitzgibbon will do it for you; he's in
the House." And so it happened that on that occasion the Honourable
Laurence Fitzgibbon made a very effective speech against the
Government.
On the next morning from the columns of the _People's Banner_ was
hurled the first of those thunderbolts with which it was the purpose
of Mr. Slide absolutely to destroy the political and social life of
Phineas Finn.
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