‘Ah! it may be well, positively,’ repeated Maretzo, ‘and, positively, I wish it to be well.’
‘And what is your plan of reformation?’ inquired Kay.
‘Why, matrimony.’
‘Matrimony?’
‘Ay, sober wedlock,’ answered Maretzo, ‘it would be advisable for us to do the steady and the amiable for some time, until we can meet with a favorable match; a handsome sum in the shape of a wedding dowry, and a handsome wife, and then we may settle down into two worthy gentlemen, very patterns of domesticated virtue.’
‘Not a bad plan,’ said Kay, smiling, ‘but it is almost too soon to think about that, yet.’
‘Not at all.’
‘That is only your opinion.’
‘And I have no doubt, as we have hitherto generally agreed, that it will be your opinion also.’
‘I cannot make up my mind to be shackled just yet, my dear fellow,’ replied Kay.