Since the impeachment of my lord and the coming of the messengers to arrest him, the danger of ruin and beggary were become more imminent--indeed, they impended, and measures must be concerted to avert these evils.

By comparison with that, the earl's succumbing or surviving was a trivial matter; and the concern they had manifested in Sir James' news--when the important, well-nourished physician who had bled his lordship came to inform them that there was hope--was outward only, and assumed for pure decorum's sake.
"Whether he lives or dies," said the viscount pertinently, after the doctor had departed to return to his patient, "the measures to be taken are the same." And he repeated the substance of their earlier discussions upon this same topic.

"If we can but secure the evidence of his treason with Caryll," he wound up, "I shall be able to make terms with Lord Carteret to arrest the proceedings the government may intend, and thus avert the restitution it would otherwise enforce." "But if he were to die," said her ladyship, as coldly, horribly calculating as though he were none of hers, "there would be an end to this danger.

They could not demand restitution of the dead, nor impose fines upon him." Rotherby shook his head.

"Believe not that, madam," said he.