Under such circumstances I could not of course speak to him.

Indeed, I may say that my feelings towards him just at present are of such a nature as to preclude me from doing so with any appearance of cordiality.
Dear Emily, Believe me now, as always, your affectionate friend, FREDERIC OSBORNE.
When he read that letter over to himself a second time he felt quite sure that he had not committed himself.

Even if his friend were to send the letter to her husband, it could not do him any harm.

He was aware that he might have dilated more on the old friendship between himself and Sir Marmaduke, but he experienced a certain distaste to the mention of things appertaining to years long past.

It did not quite suit him in his present frame of mind to speak of his regard in those quasi-paternal terms which he would have used had it satisfied him to represent himself simply as her father's friend.