Charges against the private morality of a public man are usually
made in such a blare of headlines and cloud of mud-throwing that the
voice he lifts up in his defence can not make itself heard. In this
case I want the public to hear what I have to say before the yelping
begins. My letter will take the wind out of the 'Spy's' sails, and
if the verdict goes against me, the case will have been decided on
its own merits, and not at the dictation of the writers of scare
heads. Even if I don't gain my end, it will be a good thing, for
once, for the public to consider dispassionately how far a private
calamity should be allowed to affect a career of public usefulness,
and the next man who goes through what I am undergoing may have
cause to thank me if no one else does."
Shackwell sat silent for a moment, with the ring of the last words
in his ears.
Suddenly he rose and held out his hand. "Give me the letter," he
said.
The Governor caught him up with a kindling eye. "It's all right,
then? You see, and you'll take it?"
Shackwell met his glance with one of melancholy interrogation.
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