"Don't unman me, sir, afore 'em here; leave me to myself." With a pressure of his hand on the shoulder ere he quitted it, Lionel turned to Frederick Massingbird, asking of him particulars in an undertone.
"I don't know them myself," replied Frederick, his accent a haughty one.
"There seems to be nothing but uncertainty and mystery.

Mr.Verner ought not to have inquired into it in this semi-public way.

Very disagreeable things have been said, I assure you.

There was not the least necessity for allowing such absurdities to go forth, as suspicions, to the public.
You have not been running from the Willow Pond at a strapping pace, I suppose, to-night ?".
"That I certainly have not," replied Lionel.
"Neither has John, I am sure," returned Frederick resentfully.

"It is not likely.