Not that he had wilfully and overtly deceived any one; not that he had ever spoken a false word about Chaldicotes.

But he had never boasted at home that he and Sowerby were near allies.

Neither had he told them there how often Mr.Sowerby and Lord Lufton were together in London.

Why trouble women with such matters?
Why annoy so excellent a woman as Lady Lufton?
And then Mr.Sowerby was one whose intimacy few young men would wish to reject.

He was fifty, and had lived, perhaps, not the most salutary life; but he dressed young, and usually looked well.