To lie and slander like that was a crime, an insult against human and divine justice.

It would be nothing for the criminal to say he was sorry; he had to be punished.

A man who did that was not fit to live; he was a man no longer, he was a biting, poisonous reptile, who for the sake of the community must be expunged.
Yet human justice which hanged people for violent crimes committed under great provocation, dealt more lightly with this far more devilish thing, a crime committed coldly and calculatingly, that had planned not the mere death of his body, but the disgrace and death of his character.

Godfrey Mills--he checked the word and added to himself "if it was he"-- had morally tried to kill him.
Morris, after his interview that morning with Mr.Taynton, had lunched alone in Sussex Square, his mother having gone that day up to London for two nights.

His plan had been to go up with her, but he had excused himself on the plea of business with his trustees, and she had gone alone.