His visit to Sir Anthony was actuated by sheer malignity.
Without doubt, he counted on his story being believed.

But he knew enough of the hated and envied aristocracy to feel assured that Sir Anthony would not subject his beloved dead to such ghastly disinterment as a public denunciation of Boyce would necessitate.

He desired to throw an asphyxiating bomb into the midst of our private circle.

He reckoned on the Mayor taking some action that would stop the reception and thereby put a public affront on Boyce.

Sir Anthony's violent indignation and perhaps my appearance of cold incredulity upset his calculations.