“Yes,” said Sir James, unable to repress a retort, “it is rather a pity you formed that high opinion of him. We are indebted to that for his being lodged in this neighborhood. We are indebted to that for seeing a woman like Dorothea degrading herself by marrying him.” Sir James made little stoppages between his clauses, the words not coming easily. “A man so marked out by her husband’s will, that delicacy ought to have forbidden her from seeing him again⁠—who takes her out of her proper rank⁠—into poverty⁠—has the meanness to accept such a sacrifice⁠—has always had an objectionable position⁠—a bad origin⁠—and, I believe , is a man of little principle and light character. That is my opinion.” Sir James ended emphatically, turning aside and crossing his leg.