But he showed how fully he made allowances for the poor blundering offender, and how he, at least, saw more to pity than to upbraid in it all.
He knew nothing of young Forrester's fate.

He had seen in the papers the notice of Captain Forrester's death, from whom, months before, he had had a letter of inquiry as to his son's whereabouts, and to whom he had written telling all he knew, which was but little.
Then Jeffreys unfolded his present uncomfortable dilemma, and his intention of speaking to Mr Rimbolt, and they talked it over very seriously and anxiously.

At last Mr Frampton said,-- "Let me speak to Mr Rimbolt." "Most thankfully I will." So Mr Frampton spoke to Mr Rimbolt, and told him frankly all there was to tell, and Mr Rimbolt, like a gentleman who knew something of Christian charity, joined his informant in pitying the offender.
"Jeffreys," said he, the day after Mr Frampton's departure, "your friend has told me a story about you which I heard with great sorrow.
You are now doing all that an honest man can do, with God's help, to make up for what is past.

What I have been told does not shake my present confidence in you in any way, and I need not tell you that not a single person in this house beyond yourself and me shall know anything about this unhappy affair.".