Perhaps more fanatical, because he secretly suffered for the irregularity of his own position in the world.
"At any rate, supported at first by the old Earl, he began a series of persecutions designed to make me renounce my suffragist principles, or at least to make me cease playing a conspicuous public part in the militant propaganda.

As my husband was dead and there were no children, I could not see that I was accountable to the Claiborne family for my actions.

But the Claibornes took a different view of it.
In their philosophy, once a Claiborne, always a Claiborne.

I was bringing disgrace and humiliation upon the family, in their opinion.
Knowing the old Earl as I do, I am aware that his suffering was genuine and intense.

But what was I to do?
One cannot desert one's principles merely because they cause suffering; otherwise there could be no such thing as revolution.
"Reginald Maltravers had another reason for his persecution.