It was a question of temperament and not of principle.

For, even half a century ago, high principles were beginning to go out of fashion in the upper strata of a society which in these days tolerates anything except cheating at games.
Barebone himself was of a different temperament.

He liked to blind himself to the inevitable end, to temporise with the truth, whereas Miriam, with a sort of dogged courage essentially English, perceived the hard truth at once and clung to it, though it hurt.

And all the while Barebone knew at the back of his heart that his life was not his own to shape.

At the end, says an Italian motto, stands Destiny.