Page:Paul Clifford Vol 2.djvu/49

Rh "Because he sent me in the handsomest manner possible, a pipe of that wonderful Madeira, which you know I consider the chief grace of my cellars, and he gave up a canal navigation bill which would have enriched his whole county, when he knew that it would injure my property. No, Brandon, curse public cant, we know what that is. But we are gentlemen, and our private friends must not be thrown to the devil, unless, at least, we do it in the civilest manner we can."

"Fear not," said the lawyer; "you have only to say the word, and the cabinet can cook up an embassy to Owhyee, and send Raffden there with a stipend of five-thousand a-year."

"Ah! that's well thought of; or we might give him a grant of a hundred thousand acres in one of the colonies, or let him buy crown-land at a discount of eighty per cent. So that's settled."

"And now, my dear friend," said Brandon, "I will tell you frankly why I come so early; I am required to give a hasty answer to the proposal I have received, namely of the Judgeship. Your opinion?"

"A Judgeship! you a Judge? What! forsake