"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."