inished consequence
he retraced his steps through the outer lobbies and down into
Westminster Hall. He had been browbeaten by Phineas Finn, simply
because Phineas had been able to retreat within those happy doors. He
knew that to the eyes of all the policemen and strangers assembled
Phineas Finn had been a hero, a Parliamentary hero, and he had been
some poor outsider,--to be ejected at once should he make himself
disagreeable to the Members. Nevertheless, had he not all the columns
of the _People's Banner_ in his pocket? Was he not great in the
Fourth Estate,--much greater than Phineas Finn in his estate? Could
he not thunder every night so that an audience to be counted by
hundreds of thousands should hear his thunder;--whereas this
poor Member of Parliament must struggle night after night for an
opportunity of speaking; and could then only speak to benches half
deserted; or to a few Members half asleep,--unless the Press should
choose to convert his words into thunderbolts. Who could doubt for
a moment with which lay the greater power? And yet this wretched
Irishman, who had wriggled himself into Parliament on a petition,
getting the better of a good, downright English John Bull by a
quibble, had treated him with scorn,--the wretched Irishman being for
the moment like a cock on his own dunghill. Quintus Slide was not
slow to tell himself that he also had an elevation of his own, from
which he could make himself audible. In former days he had forgiven
Phineas Finn more than once. If he ever forgave Phineas Finn again
might his right hand forget its cunning, and never again draw blood
or tear a scalp.

CHAPTER XXVIII

The First Thunderbolt

It was not till after Mr. Slide had left him that Phineas wrote the
following letter to Lady Laura:--

House of Commons, 1st March, 18--

MY DEAR FRIEND,

I have a long story to tell, which I fear I shall find
difficult in the telling; but it is so necessary that you
should know the facts that I must go through with it as
best I may. It will give you very great pain; but the
result as regards your own position will not I think be
injurious to you.

Yesterday, Sunday, a man came to me who edits a newspaper,
and whom I once knew. You will remember when I used to
tell you in Portman Square of the amenities and angers of
Mr. Slide,--the man who wanted to sit for Loughton. He is
the editor. He brought me a long letter from Mr.