.
He sent the money, and the sending of the money was corrupt. Who
shall I get to ask the question? I suppose young Fletcher wouldn't do
it?"

"They're birds of a feather," said Lopez.

"Birds of a feather do fall out sometimes. Or Sir Orlando Drought?
I wonder whether Sir Orlando would do it. If any man ever 'ated
another, Sir Orlando Drought must 'ate the Duke of Omnium."

"I don't think he'd let himself down to that kind of thing."

"Let 'imself down! I don't see any letting down in it. But those men
who have been in cabinets do stick to one another even when they are
enemies. They think themselves so mighty that they oughtn't to be
'andled like other men. But I'll let 'em know that I'll 'andle 'em. A
Cabinet Minister or a cowboy is the same to Quintus Slide when he has
got his pen in 'is 'and."

On the next morning there came out another article in the "People's
Banner," in which the writer declared that he had in his own
possession the damnatory correspondence between the Prime Minister
and the late candidate at Silverbridge. "The Prime Minister may
deny the fact," said the article. "We do not think it probable, but
it is possible. We wish to be fair and above-board in everything.
And therefore we at once inform the noble Duke that the entire
correspondence is in our hands." In saying this Mr. Quintus Slide
thought that he had quite kept the promise which he made when he said
that he would only refer to the letters.

CHAPTER LII

"I Can Sleep Here To-night, I Suppose?"

That scheme of going to Guatemala had been in the first instance
propounded by Lopez with the object of frightening Mr. Wharton
into terms. There had, indeed, been some previous thoughts on the
subject,--some plan projected before his marriage; but it had been
resuscitated mainly with the hope that it might be efficacious to
extract money. When by degrees the son-in-law began to feel that even
this would not be operative on his father-in-law's purse,--when under
this threat neither Wharton nor Emily gave way,--and when, with the
view of strengthening his threat, he renewed his inquiries as to
Guatemala and found that there might still be an opening for him in
that direction,--the threat took the shape of a true purpose, and he
began to think that he would in real earnest try his fortunes in a
new world. From day to day things did not go well with him, and from
day to day Sexty Parker became more unendurable. It was impossible
for