 observed confidentially, »If you
had to destroy a hydra-headed monster, would you measure swords with the demon
as if he were a gentleman? Would you not rather seize the first weapon that came
to hand? And so do I. My great object in life, sir, is to reform the law of
England, sir. Once get a majority of Liberal members into the House, and the
thing is done. And I consider myself justified, for so high - for, I may say, so
holy - an end, in using men's weaknesses to work out my purpose. Of course, if
men were angels, or even immaculate - men invulnerable to bribes, we would not
bribe.«
    »Could you?« asked Jemima, for the conversation took place at Mr. Bradshaw's
dinner-table, where a few friends were gathered together to meet Mr. Hickson;
and among them was Mr. Benson.
    »We neither would nor could,« said the ardent barrister, disregarding in his
vehemence the point of the question, and floating on over the bar of argument
into the wide ocean of his own eloquence: »As it is - as the world stands, they
who would succeed even in good deeds must come down to the level of expediency;
and therefore, I say once more, if Mr. Donne is the man for your purpose, and
your purpose is a good one, a lofty one, a holy one« (for Mr. Hickson remembered
the Dissenting character of his little audience, and privately considered the
introduction of the word holy a most happy hit), »then, I say, we must put all
the squeamish scruples which might befit Utopia, or some such place, on one side
and treat men as they are. If they are avaricious, it is not we who have made
them so; but as we have to do with them, we must consider their failings in
dealing with them; if they have been careless or extravagant, or have had their
little peccadilloes, we must administer the screw. The glorious reform of the
law will justify, in my idea, all means to obtain the end - that law, from the
profession of which I have withdrawn myself from perhaps a too scrupulous
conscience!« he concluded softly to himself.
    »We are not to do evil that good my come,« said Mr. Benson. He was startled
at the deep sound of his own voice as he uttered these words; but he had not
been speaking for some time, and his voice came forth strong and
