But he said to himself that it was really more logical to be inconsistent than the reverse; for they had formerly discussed these mysteries very candidly.
Was it not perfectly reasonable that he should wish to know the sequel of the situation which Roderick had then delineated?
Roderick had made him promises, and it was to be expected that he should ascertain how the promises had been kept.

Rowland could not say to himself that if the promises had been extorted for Mary Garland's sake, his present attention to them was equally disinterested; and so he had to admit that he was indeed faint-hearted.

He may perhaps be deemed too narrow a casuist, but we have repeated more than once that he was solidly burdened with a conscience.
"I imagine," he said to Roderick, "that you are not sorry, at present, to have allowed yourself to be dissuaded from making a final rupture with Miss Garland." Roderick eyed him with the vague and absent look which had lately become habitual to his face, and repeated "Dissuaded ?" "Don't you remember that, in Rome, you wished to break your engagement, and that I urged you to respect it, though it seemed to hang by so slender a thread?
I wished you to see what would come of it?
If I am not mistaken, you are reconciled to it." "Oh yes," said Roderick, "I remember what you said; you made it a kind of personal favor to yourself that I should remain faithful.

I consented, but afterwards, when I thought of it, your attitude greatly amused me.

Had it ever been seen before ?--a man asking another man to gratify him by not suspending his attentions to a pretty girl!" "It was as selfish as anything else," said Rowland.