Old Lady Dacier's blunt speech, and his father's fixed opinion, hissed in his head.
They were ignorant of his autumnal visit to the Italian Lakes, after the winter's Nile-boat expedition; and also of the degree of his recent intimacy with Mrs.Warwick; or else, as he knew, he would have heard more hissing things.

Her patronage of Miss Paynham exposed her to attacks where she was deemed vulnerable; Lady Dacier muttered old saws as to the flocking of birds; he did not accurately understand it, thought it indiscreet, at best.

But in regard to his experience, he could tell himself that a woman more guileless of luring never drew breath.

On the contrary, candour said it had always been he who had schemed and pressed for the meeting.

He was at liberty to do it, not being bound in honour elsewhere.