During the Clifton scheme discussion (2nd try), particularly, he bothers me when he openly sides against Catherine. She is only wanting to be honest and polite! They were raised by the same parents, so he likely shares the same principles and sense of propriety as Catherine, yet he lets himself be led astray by the Thorpes so easily! It is to Catherine's credit that she remains faithful to both her morals and manners, while James, who is both older and more experienced than she is, cannot do the same.