He had felt that he was defiling himself with dirt when he first went to Mr.Bozzle.He knew that he was having recourse to means that were base and low,--which could not be other than base or low, let the circumstances be what they might.

But Mr.
Bozzle's conversation had not been quite so bad as Mr.Bozzle's letters; as it may have been that Mr.Bozzle's successful activity was more insupportable than his futile attempts.

But, nevertheless, something must be done.

It could not be that Colonel Osborne should have gone down to the close neighbourhood of Nuncombe Putney without the intention of seeing the lady whom his obtrusive pertinacity had driven to that seclusion.

It was terrible to Trevelyan that Colonel Osborne should be there, and not the less terrible because such a one as Mr.Bozzle was watching the Colonel on his behalf.