A man might fall, yet not be irredeemably base.

Oh, that she had never known of that poor girl in London! Base, doubly and trebly base, had been his behaviour there, for one ill deed had drawn others after it.

But his repentance, his humiliation, must have been deep, and of the kind which strengthens against ill-doing in the future.
It had to be done, and had better be done quickly.

Adela went to her boudoir and rang the bell.

The servant who came told her that Mutimer was in the house.