bar sinister

"A king's son, though with the bar sinister on his shield, is at least a match for this marmoset of a marquis."

He was not influenced by sordid considerations. . . . Had she been merely of illegitimate birth, he would have overlooked the bar sinister.

Europe is troubled with sensational rumors as well as our own country. Among the most recent was one prevailing at Paris that Maximilian I, Emperor elect of Mexico, had recognized the independence of the Confederate States. But this rumor was pronounced improbable from the fact that Maximilian had not yet been formally offered the crown by the deputation from Mexico charged with the duty of tendering it. This does seem a bar sinister to the report that has doubtless ere this given much joy in Dixie.