There is no occasion for us to quarrel, my dear, and to prevent the possibility of such a thing I will be off at once." After he had left Isobel sat down to think over what had been said.

He had not directly answered her questions, but he had not denied that the rumor that Bathurst had retired from the army because he was wanting in courage was well founded.

Everything he had said, in fact, was an excuse rather than a denial.

The Doctor was as stanch a friend as he was bitter an opponent.

Could he have denied it he would have done so strongly and indignantly.
It was clear that, much as he liked Bathurst, he believed him wanting in physical courage.