After a prolonged investigation he had come forth from that affair without disgrace.

He would have done so, at least, if he had not been heretofore disgraced.

But we all know how the man well spoken of may steal a horse, while he who is of evil repute may not look over a hedge.

It was asserted widely by many who were supposed to know all about everything that Lord Chiltern was in a fit of delirium tremens when he killed the ruffian at Newmarket.
The worst of that latter affair was that it produced the total estrangement which now existed between Lord Brentford and his son.
Lord Brentford would not believe that his son was in that matter more sinned against than sinning.

"Such things do not happen to other men's sons," he said, when Lady Laura pleaded for her brother.
Lady Laura could not induce her father to see his son, but so far prevailed that no sentence of banishment was pronounced against Lord Chiltern.