Still, it is possible, and he ought to have the benefit of the doubt.

Witnesses to character would be valuable in such a case, and his--not to mention the lady's--is curiously immaculate." "Of course you are entitled to your own opinion, but I have mine." Suddenly the Colonel changed his bantering, satirical tone, and became stern and withering.
"Miss Layard," he said, "does it occur to you that on evidence which would not suffice to convict a bicyclist of riding on a footpath, you are circulating a scandal of which the issue might be very grave to both the parties concerned ?" "I am not circulating anything.

I was telling you privately;" replied Eliza, still trying to be bold.
"I am glad to hear it.

I understand that neither you nor your brother have spoken of this extraordinary tale, and I am quite certain that you will not speak of it in the future." "I cannot answer for my brother," she said sulkily.
"No, but in his own interest and in yours I trust that you will make him understand that if I hear a word of this I shall hold him to account.
Also, that his propagation of such a slander will react upon you, who were with him." "How ?" asked Eliza, now thoroughly frightened, for when he chose the Colonel could be very crushing.
"Thus: Your brother's evidence is that of an interested person which no one will accept; and of yours, Miss Layard, it might be inferred that it was actuated by jealousy of a charming and quite innocent girl; or, perhaps, by other motives even worse, which I would rather you did not ask me to suggest." Eliza did not ask him.

She was too wise.