He attempted a chivalrous exculpation.

They made habit and bad example almost a sufficient exculpation from crime.

There, when the blow came at last, Flora's melodious grievings were soon over, and her sweet reasonableness, her tender exculpation not alone of this dear friend but even of the silly fellows who had done the deed, and her queenly, patriotic self-obliteration, were more admirable than can be described.