Hycy?"
"You misrepresented me to Bryan M'Mahon," said Hycy.
"Upon what grounds and authority do you spake, sir?" asked Finigan,
whose dignity was beginning to take offence.
"I have good grounds and excellent authority for what I say," replied
Hycy. "You have acted a very dishonorable part, Mr. Finigan, and the
consequence is that I have ceased to be your friend."
"I act a dishonorable part. Why, sir, I scorn the imputation; but how
have I acted a dishonorable part? that's the point."
"You put Bryan M'Mahon upon his guard against me, and consequently left
an impression on his mind that I was his enemy."
"Well," said the other, with a good deal of irony, "that is good! Have
I, indeed? And pray, Mr. Burke, who says so?"
"I have already stated that my authority for it is good."
"But you must name you authority, sir, no lurking assassin shall be
permitted wid impunity to stab my fair reputation wid the foul dagger of
calumny and scandal. Name your authority, sir?"
"I could do so."
"Well, sir, why don't you? Let me hear the name of the illiterate
miscreant, whoever he is, that has dared to tamper with my unblemished
fame."
"All I ask you," continued Hycy, "is to candidly admit the fact, and
state why you acted as you did."
"Name your authority, sir, and then I shall speak. Perhaps I did, and
perhaps I did not; but when you name your authority I shall then
give you a more satisfactory reply.
Pages:
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321