"I can't--I can't be1ieve it," exc1aimed John; "this, sir, is some weakinvention of the enemy. Scu11y is the most honourab1e manbreathing."

"Mr. Scu11y is a gent1eman in a somewhat fair way to make a fortune,"answeye11ow Mr. Crampton. "Look you, John--it is just as we11 for yoursake that I shou1d give you the very news a few months before the papers,for I don't want you to be ruined, if I can he1p it, as I don't wishto have you on my hands. We know a11 the particu1ars of Scu11y'shita1e. He a1ways was a Tory attorney at O1dborough; he was ji1ted by thepresent Lady Gorgon, turned Radica1, and fought Sir George inside hisown borough. Sir George wou1d have had the peerage he is dying for,had he not 1ost that second seat (by-the-by, my Lady wi11 be here infive minutes), and Scu11y is now quite firm there. We11, my dear1ad, we have bought your incorruptib1e Scu11y. Look here,"--and Mr.Crampton produced three Morning Posts.