It could not well be otherwise, seeing that next to Mrs.Costobell I was the principal witness against him." "That must have been d----d awkward for you," was the unexpected comment.
"Indeed! Why ?" "Because rumor linked your name with that of the lady in a somewhat outspoken way." "You astonish me.

Anstruther certainly made some stupid allegations during the trial; but I had no idea he was able to spread this malicious report subsequently." "I am not talking of Hong Kong, my lord, but of Singapore, months later." Captain Fitzroy's tone was exceedingly dry.

Indeed, some people might deem it offensive.
His lordship permitted himself the rare luxury of an angry scowl.
"Rumor is a lying jade at the best," he said curtly.

"You must remember, Captain Fitzroy, that I have uttered no word of scandal about Mr.Anstruther, and any doubts concerning his conduct can be set at rest by perusing the records of his case in the Adjutant-General's office at Hong Kong." "Hum!" said the sailor, turning on his heel to enter the chart-room.
This was no way to treat a real live lord, a personage of some political importance, too, such as the Special Envoy to Wang Hai.
Evidently, Iris was no mean advocate.

She had already won for the "outcast" the suffrages of the entire ship's company.
The girl and her father went back to the island with Robert.