“Lymond considered this with every appearance of seriousness. “I see. Thus the baseness of my morals is redeemed by the stature of my manners? You admire consistency?”

“Yes, I do.”

“But prefer consistency in evil to consistency in good?”

“The choice is hypothetical.”

“Lord; is it? What an exciting past you must have.”

“I despise mediocrity,” stated the young man firmly.

“And you would also despise me if I practised evil but professed purity?”

“Yes. I should.”

“I see. What you are really saying, of course, is that you dislike hypocrisy, and people who can’t stand by their principles.”