"Miss Isabel seems to have a good friend in you," he said.

He was (perhaps unconsciously) a little offended by the independent tone in which the steward spoke, after he had himself engaged to take the vindication of the girl's innocence into his own hands.
"Miss Isabel has a devoted servant and slave in me!" Moody answered, with passionate enthusiasm.
"Very creditable; I haven't a word to say against it," Mr.Troy rejoined.

"But don't forget that the young lady has other devoted friends besides you.

I am her devoted friend, for instance--I have promised to serve her, and I mean to keep my word.

You will excuse me for adding that my experience and discretion are quite as likely to be useful to her as your enthusiasm.