When blamed for this at Madame Roland's, he made but slight excuse.

This wilfulness was attributed to his youth, and the impatience of his _amour-propre_.

Madame Roland, persuaded that this young man was passionately attached to liberty, took his reserve for timidity, and these petty treasons for independence.

The common cause was a cover for all.

Partiality transforms the most sinister tokens into favour or indulgence.