It was
expedient that he should avoid a prosecution for libel, and essential
that he should not offend the majesty of the Vice-Chancellor's
injunction. Was he sure that he was safe in each direction? As to
the libel, he could not tell himself that he was certainly safe. He
was saying very hard things both of Lady Laura and of Phineas Finn,
and sailing very near the wind. But neither of those persons would
probably be willing to prosecute; and, should he be prosecuted, he
would then, at any rate, be able to give in Mr. Kennedy's letter as
evidence in his own defence. He really did believe that what he was
doing was all done in the cause of morality. It was the business of
such a paper as that which he conducted to run some risk in defending
morals, and exposing distinguished culprits on behalf of the
public. And then, without some such risk, how could Phineas Finn be
adequately punished for the atrocious treachery of which he had been
guilty? As to the Chancellor's order, Mr. Slide thought that he had
managed that matter very completely.
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