He liked it, however, as one aspect of life, whether he chose to share in it or not.
It was favorable to his own future.

He had a prison record to live down; a wife and two children to get rid of--in the legal sense, at least (he had no desire to rid himself of financial obligation toward them).

It would take some such loose, enthusiastic Western attitude to forgive in him the strength and freedom with which he ignored and refused to accept for himself current convention.

"I satisfy myself" was his private law, but so to do he must assuage and control the prejudices of other men.

He felt that this banker, while not putty in his hands, was inclined to a strong and useful friendship.
"My impressions of the city are entirely favorable, Mr.Addison," he said, after a time, though he inwardly admitted to himself that this was not entirely true; he was not sure whether he could bring himself ultimately to live in so excavated and scaffolded a world as this or not.