But I can tell you this much ”it was not in Miss Howard's favour." I accepted his assurance, though I did not really see how he could be so positive about the matter. 
The narrarator doesn't think this is ap ositive matter.
The it WAS in fact in Miss Howard's favour.
There aren't any houses in Merrion Square North.
Nobody has a microphone.
The umpire calls the strike.
The Temple Mount is closed to non-Muslims during Ramadan.
Herman Diesenhaus had nothing to say on the matter.
The stage is empty.