But, in admitting the plea which common sense puts forward on their behalf, we may fairly ask them to be masculine in their baseness.

Or, in other words, since they must be selfish, let them be so without the poltroonery of selfishness.

Edward's wish was to be perfectly just, as far as he could be now--just to himself as well; for how was he to prove of worth and aid to any one depending on him, if he stood crippled?
Just, also, to his family; to his possible posterity; and just to Dahlia.

His task was to reconcile the variety of justness due upon all sides.

The struggle, we will assume, was severe, for he thought so; he thought of going to Dahlia and speaking the word of separation; of going to her family and stating his offence, without personal exculpation; thus masculine in baseness, he was in idea; but poltroonery triumphed, the picture of himself facing his sin and its victims dismayed him, and his struggle ended in his considering as to the fit employment of one thousand pounds in his possession, the remainder of a small legacy, hitherto much cherished.
A day later, Mrs.Lovell said to him: "Have you heard of that unfortunate young man?
I am told that he lies in great danger from a blow on the back of his head.