And I could scarcely run away with a girl who believed stories about me." "What sort of stories ?" asked Mallow, remembering certain rumors.
"The sort that one always does tell of an unmarried man," retorted Caranby.

"Scandalous stories, which Isabella picked up and retailed to Selina.

But I never pretended to be a saint, and had Selina really loved me she would have overlooked certain faults.

I did love her, Cuthbert.

I did all in my power to prove my love.