Some poor fellow dirked and spoiled." Mr.Lovel was outraged and forgot his fears.

He forgot, indeed, most things which he should have remembered.

He longed only to establish his gentility in the eyes of those three proud gentlemen.

The liquor was ebbing in him and with it had flown all his complacence.

He felt small and mean and despised, and the talents he had been pluming himself on an hour before had now shrunk to windlestraws.
"I do assure you, sirs," he faltered, "the ring is mine own.