something might be construed into matter of offence

[shootingstar]

But when we reached Mamie's boarding-house, it was almost with tears that he presented me. "Here is loudon, Mamie," were his words. "I want you to love him; he has a grand nature."
"You are certainly no stranger to me, Mr. Dodd," was her gracious expression. "James is never weary of descanting on your goodness."
"My dear lady," said I, "when you know our friend a little better, you will make a large allowance for his warm heart. My goodness has consisted in allowing him to feed and clothe and toil for me when he could ill afford it. . . .
. . .
I admit it was a tactless performance. "When you know our friend a little better," was not happily said; and even "keep him in order, for he needs it," might be construed into matter of offence.
(The Wrecker by R. L. Stevenson and L. Osbourne, chapter vii, published 1892)

Please, what do you take might be construed into matter of offence to mean there?

 

[emsr2d2]

It's very old-fashioned. I take it to mean that saying "Keep him in order, for he needs it" might be something someone would take offence at.