A person speaking there might say what he liked, but his actions must be discreet.
On the lawn Stephen tripped ahead; Leonard followed inwardly raging.

By her clever use of the opening she had put him in a difficulty from which there was no immediate means of extrication.

He could not quarrel overtly with Stephen; if he did so, how could he enter on the pressing matter of his debts?
He dared not openly proclaim his object in wishing to marry her, for had he done so her aunt might have interfered, with what success he could not be sure.

In any case it would cause delay, and delay was what he could not afford.

He felt that in mentioning his debts at just such a movement he had given Stephen the chance she had so aptly taken.