the Press were felt to be
damaging to the administration.

'The real danger of ridicule,' said he, 'is not the pungency of the satire,
it is the facility with which it is remembered and circulated. The man who
reads the strong leader in the _Times_ may have some general impression
of being convinced, but he cannot repeat its arguments or quote its
expressions. The pasquinade or the squib gets a hold on the mind, and in
its very drollery will ensure its being retained there.'

Atlee was not a little gratified to hear that this opinion was delivered
apropos to a short paper of his own, whose witty sarcasms on the Cabinet
were exciting great amusement in town, and much curiosity as to the writer.

'He has not seen "The Whitebait Dinner" yet,' said Lady Maude; 'the
cleverest _jeu d'esprit_ of the day.'

'Ay, or of any day,' broke in Lord Danesbury. 'Even the _Anti-Jacobin_
has nothing better. The notion is this. The Devil happens to be taking a
holiday, and he is in town just at the time of the Ministerial dinner,
and hearing that he is at Claridge's, the Cabinet, ashamed at the little
attention bestowed on a crowned head, ask him down to Greenwich. He
accepts, and to kill an hour--

"He strolled down, of course,
To the Parliament House,
And heard how England stood,
As she has since the Flood,
Without ally or friend to assist her.
But, while every persuasion
Was full of invasion
From Russian or Prussian,
Yet the only discussion
Was, how should a Gentleman marry his sister."'

'Can you remember any more of it, my lord?' asked Atlee, on whose table at
that moment were lying the proof-sheets of the production.

'Maude has it all somewhere. You must find it for him, and let him guess
the writer--if he can.'

'What do the clubs say?' asked Atlee.

'I think they are divided between Orlop and Bouverie. I'm told that the
Garrick people say it's Sankey, a young fellow in F. O.'

'You should see Aunt Jerningham about it, Mr. Atlee--her eagerness is
driving her half mad.'

'Take him out to "Lebanon" on Sunday,' said my lord; and Lady Maude agreed
with a charming grace and courtesy, adding as she left the room, 'So
remember you are engaged for Sunday.'

Atlee bowed as he held the door open for her to pass out, and threw into
his glance what he desired might mean homage and eternal devotion.

'Now then for a little quiet confab,' said my lord. 'Let me hear what you
mean b