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

My goodness, James certainly is a prime example of manhood, isn't he?

The struggle with ways and means had recommenced, more difficult now a hundredfold than it had been before, because of their increasing needs. Their income disappeared as a little rivulet that is swallowed by the thirsty ground.

to carry out / commit / perpetrate an atrocity