the first to say so. But
who is she to take care of a young girl? She's ignorant of the world to
that degree she believes in Beau Austin! Now you and I, Bab, who are not
so high and dry, see through and through him; we know that a man like
that is no fit company for any inexperienced girl.

BARBARA. O Mr. Anthony, don't say that. (_Weeping._)

ANTHONY. Hullo! what's wrong?

BARBARA. Nothing that I know of. O Mr. Anthony, I don't think there can
be anything.

ANTHONY. Think? Don't think? What's this?

BARBARA. O sir! I don't know, and yet I don't like it. Here's my
beautiful necklace all broke to bits: she took it off my very neck, and
gave me her birthday pearls instead; and I found it afterwards on the
table, all smashed to pieces; and all she wanted it for was to take and
break it. Why that? It frightens me, Mr. Anthony, it frightens me.

ANTHONY (_with necklace_). This? What has this trumpery to do with us?

BARBARA. He gave it me: that's why she broke it.

ANTHONY. He? Who?

BARBARA. Mr. Austin did; and I do believe I should not have taken it,
Mr. Anthony, but I thought no harm, upon my word of honour. He was
always here; that was six months ago; and indeed, indeed, I thought they
were to marry. How would I think else with a born lady like Miss
Dorothy?

ANTHONY. Why, Barbara, God help us all, what's this? You don't mean to
say that there was----

BARBARA. Here it is, as true as true: they were going for a jaunt; and
Miss Foster had her gout; and I was to go with them; and he told me to
make-believe I was ill; and I did; and I stayed at home; and he gave me
that necklace; and they went away together; and, O dear! I wish I'd
never been born.

ANTHONY. Together? he and Dolly? Good Lord! my sister! And since then?

BARBARA. We haven't seen him from that day to this, the wicked villain;
and, Mr. Anthony, he hasn't so much as written the poor dear a word.

ANTHONY. Bab, Bab, Bab, this is a devil of a bad business; this is a
cruel, bad business, Baby; cruel upon me, cruel upon all of us; a
family like mine. I'm a young man, Barbara, to have this delicate affair
to manage; but, thank God, I'm Musgrave to the bone. He bribed a
servant-maid, did he? I keep his bribe; it's mine now: dear bought, by
George! He shall have it in his teeth. Shot Colonel Villiers, did he?
we'll see how he faces Anthony Musgrave. You're a good girl, Barbara; so
far you've served the family. You leave this to me. And, hark ye, dry