"Well, calumnious as the world is, I should never have thought that such expressions would be applied to one who, though I knew him but little,--knew him chiefly by the service he once rendered to me,--first taught me to love and revere the English name!" "He may be changed since--" the parson paused.
"Since when ?" asked Riccabocca, with evident curiosity.

Mr.Dale seemed embarrassed.

"Excuse me," said he, "it is many years ago; and in short the opinion I then formed of the nobleman you named was based upon circumstances which I cannot communicate." The punctilious Italian bowed in silence, but he still looked as if he should have liked to prosecute inquiry.
After a pause he said, "Whatever your impression respecting Lord L'Estrange, there is nothing, I suppose, which would lead you to doubt his honour, or reject his testimonial in my favour ?" "According to fashionable morality," said Mr.Dale, rather precisely, "I know of nothing that could induce me to suppose that Lord L'Estrange would not, in this instance, speak the truth.

And he has unquestionably a high reputation as a soldier, and a considerable position in the world." Therewith the parson took his leave.

A few days afterwards, Dr.
Riccabocca inclosed to the squire, in a blank envelope, a letter he had received from Harley L'Estrange.