f Loughlinter. 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. 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."

"Say that you'll try."

"I certainly will not do so."

"Then it goes in to-morrow," said Mr. Quintus Slide, stretching out
his hand and taking back the slip.

"What on earth is your object?"

"Morals! Morals! We shall be able to say that we've done our best to
promot