Venial sins sat lightly on the conscience of John Massingbird.
But this was no venial sin, no case of passing scandal; and Mr.Verner declared to that gentleman that if he found him guilty, he would discard him from Verner's Pride without a shilling of help.

John Massingbird protested, in the strongest terms, that he was innocent as Mr.Verner himself.
A trifling addition was destined to be brought to the suspicion already directed by Mr.Verner towards Verner's Pride.

On the night of the inquest Mr.Verner had his dinner served in his study--the wing of a fowl, of which he ate about a fourth part.

Mrs.Tynn attended on him: he liked her to do so when he was worse than usual.

He was used to her, and he would talk to her when he would not to others.