Good or bad, compassionate or cruel, the Major was a man.

A woman's influence was the safest influence to trust with him, where the end to be gained was such an end as I had in view.
It was not easy to say this to Benjamin without the danger of mortifying him.

I made an appointment with the old man to call on me the next morning at the hotel, and talk the matter over again.

Is it very disgraceful to me to add that I privately determined (if the thing could be accomplished) to see Major Fitz-David in the interval?
"Do nothing rash, my dear.

In your own interests, do nothing rash!" Those were Benjamin's last words when we parted for the day.
I found Eustace waiting for me in our sitting-room at the hotel.