Such men studied his humors and imposed upon him, if not by flattery, yet by the pretence of personal devotion.

He had been himself bitterly and most unjustly assailed by partisan and sectional hostility.

When any person to whom he had once given his confidence was detected in any low or corrupt action Grant was very unwilling to believe or even to listen to the charge.

He seemed to set his teeth and to say to himself: "They attack this man as they attack me.

They attack him because he is my friend.