To this commonplace _cant_, by which all sorts of corruption and all public
delinquents might be screened, and by which selfishness and fraud hope to
pass for loyalty and love of the peace of the country, Mr. Percy did not
attempt, or rather did not deign, any reply.

Mr. Sharpe then insinuated that Lord Oldborough, who had put Bates into
his present situation, would be displeased by a complaint against him. Mr.
Sharpe observed, that Lord Oldborough was remarkable for standing steadily
by all the persons whom he appointed, and that, if Mr. Percy persisted
in this attack, he would probably not find himself thanked by his own
relations, the Falconers.

This hint produced no effect: so at last Mr. Sharpe concluded, by saying,
with an air of prodigious legal assurance, that for his own part he was
quite at ease about the result of the affair, for he was confident that,
when the matter came to be properly inquired into, and the witnesses to be
cross-examined, no malpractices could be brought home to his relation.

Then Mr. Percy observed, that a memorial, praying to have the circumstances
inquired into, could be no disadvantage to Mr. Bates, but the contrary, as
it would tend to prove his innocence publicly, and to remove the prejudice
which now subsisted against him.--Mr. Percy, who had the memorial at this
time in his hand, deliberately folded it up, and directed it.

"Then, sir," cried Mr. Sharpe, put off his guard by anger, "since you are
determined to throw away the scabbard, you cannot be surprised if I do the
same."

Mr. Percy, smiling, said that he feared no sword but the sword of justice,
which could not fall on his head, while he was doing what was just. As he