He remained at all events consistent to his principles.
There was his pamphlet to be sure, _The Prison Walls must Cast no Shadow_ that gave him an uncomfortable twinge.

But he reassured himself.
"There I argue that, once the offence has been expiated, all the privileges should be restored.

But if Pettifer is right there has been no expiation." That saving clause let him out.

He did not thus phrase the position even to himself.

He clothed it in other and high-sounding words.