[That way of thinking sets Nathaniel's teeth on edge--this idea that someone else will behave better if you are simply better yourself. Maybe it's not how Alistair means it, but it's what Nathaniel hears. It's how Nathaniel knows the world.]

No. It's not. She knew what she was doing and she thought she could get away with it. That you happen to like her can't matter. We can't make exceptions to the rules because we like someone, or dislike them. And if she didn't want to step down, I could not have forced her to. It's done, Alistair.