Margaret, in her gratitude for such an escape, and in unfeigned admiration of Barker's daring and coolness, was certainly inclined to think better of him than she had done for a long time.

Or perhaps it would be truer to say that he was more in her thoughts than he had been; for, in the reign of Claudius, Barker had dwindled to a nearly insignificant speck in the landscape, dwarfed away to nothing by the larger mould and stronger character of the Swede.
Margaret saw the Duke in the evening.

He gave her a document, unsealed, in a huge envelope, bidding her keep it in a safe place, for the use of their mutual friend, in case he should need it.

She said she would give it to Claudius when he came back; and then she told the Duke about her drive with Barker and the accident.

The Duke looked grave.
"Of course," he said, "I introduced Barker to you, and it would seem very odd if I were to warn you against him now.