In a word, Dorothy had now all at once become to him interesting.
As soon as she found a safe opportunity, Amanda told him of Dorothy's being found in the turret chamber, a fact she pretended to have heard in confidence from mistress Watson, concealing her own part in it.

But as Amanda spoke, Dorothy became to Rowland twice as interesting as ever Amanda had been.

There was a real romance about the girl, he thought.
And then she LOOKED so quiet! He never thought of defending her or playing the true part of a cousin.

Amanda might think of her as she pleased: Rowland was content.

Had he cared ever so much more for her judgment than he did, it would have been all the same.