... ready to take him as he was. What was it that had suddenly so cleared up? It was just everybody's character; that is everybody's but—in a measure—his own. Strether felt HIS character receive for the instant a smutch from all the wrong things he had suspected or believed. The person to whom Chad owed it that he could positively turn out such a comfort to other persons—such a person was sufficiently raised above any "breath" by the nature of ... — The Ambassadors • Henry James
... "You can't smutch the character of Daviess," said Wood. "His name is above suspicion. He performs his duty as United States District Attorney without ... — A Dream of Empire - Or, The House of Blennerhassett • William Henry Venable
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