As they likewise kept silence, I began to be urged, right and left, to speak.

I was one of those whom this election had displeased; but with culpable timidity I had yielded to the authority of my superiors in dignity.

With the bashfulness of youth I could only with great difficulty and much blushing prevail upon myself to open my mouth.
The discussion was carried on, not in our mother tongue, but in the language of scholars.

I therefore, though with great confusion of mind and face, betook myself to speaking in a manner to tickle the palate of him who was questioning us, wrapping up in artfully arranged form of speech expressions which were softened down, but were not entirely removed from the truth.

I said that we did not know, it was true, to the extent of having been familiar by sight and intercourse with him, the man of whom we had made choice, but that we had received favorable reports of his integrity.