The woman might have been very useful and more easily got at than a man.

The avarice of the French bourgeoise would have proved a promising factor.

But this, of course, would now be out of the question.

At the same time it was not because Heron raved and stormed and uttered cries like a hyena that he, de Batz, meant to give up an enterprise which, if successful, would place millions into his own pocket.
As for that meddling Englishman, the Scarlet Pimpernel, and his crack-brained followers, they must be effectually swept out of the way first of all.

De Batz felt that they were the real, the most likely hindrance to his schemes.