He was accustomed to torture men with words well enough, before he used other means, and he himself had not believed what he had said.

It had been only an experiment tried on a mere chance, and it had failed.

At the root of his anger there was only jealousy and personal hatred of the brother who had every grace and charm which he himself had not.
"More kind than just, perhaps," he said, with a slight change of tone towards condescension.

"I am willing to admit that I have no proofs against you, but the evidence of circumstances is not in your favour.
Take care, for you are observed.

You are too much before the world, too imposing a figure to escape observation." "My actions will bear it.