He had never hitherto consulted any one about anything in his family, having always found his own information and intellect sufficient for his own affairs.

But now he felt grievously in want of some pillar,--some female pillar,--on which he could lean.

He did not know all Mrs.
Roby's iniquities; but still he felt that she was not the pillar of which he was in need.

There was no such pillar for his use, and he was driven to acknowledge to himself that in this distressing position he must be guided by his own strength, and his own lights.
He thought it all out as well as he could in his own chamber, allowing his book or his brief to lie idle beside him for many a half-hour.

But he was much puzzled both as to the extent of his own authority and the manner in which it should be used.