Mrs.Walter Clifford doesn't want to distress you; she only felt it her duty to save you.

Don't give way.

There is no great harm done, unless you were to be deluded into marrying him." "And what then ?" inquired Mary, trembling.
Monckton appeared to be agitated at this question.
"Oh, don't speak of it," said he.

"You would be ruined for life, and he would get seven years' penal servitude; and that is a sentence few gentlemen survive in the present day when prisons are slaughter-houses.
There, I have discharged the most disagreeable office I ever undertook in my life; but at all events you are warned in time." Then he bowed most respectfully to her, and retired, exhaling his pent-up venom in a diabolical grin.
She, poor victim, stood there stupefied, pierced with a poisoned arrow, and almost in a state of collapse; then she lifted her hands and eyes for help, and saw Hope's study in front of her.

Everything swam confusedly before her; she did not know for certain whether he was there or not; she cried to that true friend for help.
"Mr.Hope--I am lost--I am in the deep waters of despair--save me _once more_, save me!" Thus speaking she tottered into the office, and sank all limp and powerless into a chair, unable to move or speak, but still not insensible, and soon her brow sank upon the table, and her hands spread themselves feebly out before her.
It was all villainous spite on Monckton's part.