"Every word of it is untrue," said Phineas.
"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."
"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?"
"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!"
"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."
"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."
"Then it goes in to-morrow," said Mr. Quintus Slide, stretching out his hand and taking back the slip.
"Morals! Morals! We shall be able to say that we've done our best to promote domestic virtue and secure forgiveness for an erring wife. You've no notion, Finn, in your mind of what will soon be the hextent of the duties, privileges, and hinfluences of the daily press;--the daily morning press, that is; for I look on those little evening scraps as just so much paper and ink wasted. You won't interfere, then?"
"Yes, I will;--if you'll give me time. Where is Mr. Kennedy?"
"What has that to do with it? Do you write over to Lady Laura and the old lord and tell them that if she'll undertake to be at Loughlinter within a month this shall be suppressed. Will you do that?"