"I would make any earthly sacrifice for her."
"Well, sir, you know how I feel. I don't set myself up as a good man; I've done foolish things, and I dare say shall do more foolish things, but not half nor quarter as many with a clever woman by my side to keep me straight. What some of us want, sir, is ballast; I never had it till now, and even now perhaps it's of no use to me. Until a week ago I had to think for one; now I have to think for two. But thinking won't help me through, I'm afraid."
Never before had the Honourable Percy Storndale expressed himself in so manly a fashion; it was as though contact with Aaron were bringing out his best qualities.
"Was it your intention, Mr. Storndale, to come to me so soon after your marriage?"
"I had no settled intention when to come, sir, but I have been forced to it sooner than I expected."
"What has forced you to it?"
"Writs. I give you my word they are flying about, and I am afraid I shall have to fly too. When needs must, you know, sir."
"Are you heavily in debt?"
"To the tune of three thousand, sir."
"When a question of this kind is asked, the answer is generally below the mark."