But on the other hand, I have no taste for persecution; and I ask you to believe that I am not the man to make bad worse, or heap trouble on the unfortunate." "Yes; I think I understand," said he.

"Suppose I pass you my word that, whatever may have occurred, there were excuses--great excuses--I may say, very great ?" "It would have weight with me, doctor," I replied.
"I may go further," he pursued.

"Suppose I had been there, or you had been there: after a certain event had taken place, it's a grave question what we might have done--it's even a question what we could have done--ourselves.

Or take me.

I will be plain with you, and own that I am in possession of the facts.