I got it all out of the "Biographie Universelle." I'll write to Mr Alf myself,--a letter to be published, you know.' 'Pray don't do anything of the kind, Lady Carbury.' 'I can prove that I'm right.' 'And they can prove that you're wrong.' 'I've got all the facts--and the figures.' Mr Leadham did not care a straw for facts or figures,--had no opinion of his own whether the lady or the reviewer were right; but he knew very well that the 'Evening Pulpit' would surely get the better of any mere author in such a contention.

'Never fight the newspapers, Lady Carbury.

Who ever yet got any satisfaction by that kind of thing?
It's their business, and you are not used to it.' 'And Mr Alf my particular friend! It does seem so hard,' said Lady Carbury, wiping hot tears from her cheeks.
'It won't do us the least harm, Lady Carbury.' 'It'll stop the sale ?' 'Not much.

A book of that sort couldn't hope to go on very long, you know.

The "Breakfast Table" gave it an excellent lift, and came just at the right time.