But I owe it to Mr.Neville, and to Mr.Neville's sister (and in a much lower degree to myself), to say to you that I _know_ I was in the full possession and understanding of Mr.Neville's mind and heart at the time of this occurrence; and that, without in the least colouring or concealing what was to be deplored in him and required to be corrected, I feel certain that his tale is true.
Feeling that certainty, I befriend him.

As long as that certainty shall last, I will befriend him.

And if any consideration could shake me in this resolve, I should be so ashamed of myself for my meanness, that no man's good opinion--no, nor no woman's--so gained, could compensate me for the loss of my own.' Good fellow! manly fellow! And he was so modest, too.

There was no more self-assertion in the Minor Canon than in the schoolboy who had stood in the breezy playing-fields keeping a wicket.

He was simply and staunchly true to his duty alike in the large case and in the small.