Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.

With these words Titus began to move, as it were, out of a dream, and doubting whether he heard Gisippus speak, or else saw but a vision, lay still as a man abashed, But when he beheld the tears trickling down by the face of Gisippus, he then comforted him, and thanked him for his _________ kindness, refused the benefit that he offered, saying that it were better that a hundred such unkind wretches as he was should perish, than so noble a man as was Gisippus should sustain reproach or damage.