Vane turned towards him with a smile and almost a wink. “Oho!” he said.
“Be respectful to your elders, you young dog,” said the Marquis.
“You make us forget your claims in that respect. You must be more venerable,” answered Vane.
After a moment’s silent smoking, “Why don’t you marry?” asked the Marquis. It is a question which often means that the questioner’s own thoughts are trending in that direction.
“I’m waiting for that heiress.” Then he added, perhaps out of good nature, “If it comes to that, why don’t you?”
“I’m not anxious to have people pointing at me for an old fool.”
“Oh, hang people! Besides, you’re not old.”
“Fifty-six.”
“That’s nothing nowadays.”
“You’re laughing!” said the Marquis, suspiciously.