“Not if I can help it, Doctor; and this lie about the money, when clearly disproved, will be of capital service to her. Let them circulate it as much as they please, the rebound will be in proportion to the blow. The more they circulate that foolish rumour, the better it will be for our client when we come to trial.” “I suppose you are right, Timms; though I could prefer plainer dealings. A cause in which you are employed, however, must have more or less of management.” “Which is better, ’Squire, than your law and evidence. But what else has Dr. McBrain to tell us?” “I hear that Peter Goodwin’s nephew, who it seems had some expectations from the old people, is particularly savage, and leaves no stone unturned to get up a popular feeling against the accused.” “He had best beware,” said Dunscomb, his usually colourless but handsome face flushing as he spoke. “I shall not trifle in a matter of this sort—ha! Timms?” “Lord bless you, ’Squire, Duke’s county folks wouldn’t understand a denial of the privilege to say what they please in a case of this sort. They fancy this is liberty; and ‘touch my honour, take your poker,’ is not more sensitive than the feelin’ of liberty in these parts. I’m afraid that not only this Joe Davis, but the reporters, will say just what they please; and Mary Monson’s rights will whistle for it. You will remember that our judge is not only a bran-new one, but he drew the two years’ term into the bargain. No, I think it will be wisest to let the law, and old principles, and the right, and _true_ liberty, quite alone; and to bow the knee to things as they are. A good deal is said about our fathers, and their wisdom, and patriotism, and sacrifices; but nobody dreams of doing as they _did_, or of reasoning as they _reasoned_. Life is made up, in reality, of these little matters in a corner; while the great principles strut about in buckram, for men to admire them, and talk about them. I do take considerable delight, ’Squire Dunscomb, in hearing you enlarge on a principle, whether it be in law, morals, or politics; but I should no more think of prac_ty_sing on ’em, than I should think of refusing a thousand dollar fee.” “Is that your price?” demanded McBrain, with curiosity—“Do you work for as large a sum as that, in this case, Timms?” “I’m paid, Doctor; just as you was”—the attorney never stuck at grammar—“just as you was for that great operation on the Wall-Street Millenary’ian——” “Millionaire, you mean, Timms,” said Dunscomb, coolly—“it means one worth a million.” “I never attempt a foreign tongue but I stumble,” said the attorney, simply; for he knew that both his friends were familiar with his origin, education, and advancement in life, and that it was wisest to deny nothing to _them_; “but since I have been so much with Mary Monson and her woman, I do own a desire to speak the language they use.” Again Dunscomb regarded his associate intently; something comical gleaming in his eye.