Again Guion winced inwardly, but kept his self-control. He was not yet accustomed to doing without the formulas of respect from those whom he considered his inferiors.
"Possibly," he said, not caring to conceal a certain irritation; "but even so I should like to know in case I were in your power what you'd expect of me."
"I can answer that question right away. I shouldn't expect anything at all."
"Then you leave me more in the dark than ever."
Davenant still eyed him pensively. "Do I understand you to be suspicious of my motives?"
"Suspicious might not be the right word. Suppose we said curious."
Davenant reflected. Perhaps it was his mastery of the situation that gave him unconsciously a rock-like air of nonchalance. When he spoke it was with a little smile, which Guion took to be one of condescension. Condescension in the circumstances was synonymous with insolence.
"Well, sir, suppose I allowed you to remain curious? What then?"
They were the wrong words. It was the wrong manner. Guion looked up with a start. His next words were uttered in the blind instinct of the haughty-headed gentleman who thinks highly of himself to save the moment's dignity.
"In that case I think we must call the bargain off."