But however that may be, a minute had not elapsed before Mr.Barker was informed by another servant that his carriage was at the door.

He turned pale as he descended the steps.
You have carried it too far, Mr.Barker.That is not the kind of story that a lady of Countess Margaret's temper will listen to; for when you did the thing you have told her--if indeed you ever did it, which is doubtful--you did a very base and unmanly thing.

It may not be very nice to act as that young lady did to your friend; but then, just think how very much worse it would have been if she had married him from a sense of duty, and made him feel it afterwards.

Worse?
Ay, worse than a hundred deaths.

You are an ass, Barker, with your complicated calculations, as the Duke has often told you; and now it is a thousand to one that you have ruined yourself with the Countess.