“I forgive your astonishment. It is really strange, but I do refuse you.”
“But why? Are you piqued with me for anything that occurred this morning? Have I offended you by anything that dropped from me in that conversation? Tell me frankly, that I may, if in my power, rectify it.”
“No; I rather felt flattered at the notion of being consulted. I thought it a great tribute to my clear-headedness and my tact.”
“Then tell me what it was.”
“You really wish it?”
“I do.”
“Insist upon it?”
“I insist upon it.”
“Well, it was this. Seeing that you were intrusting your future fortune to chance, I thought that I would do the same, and so I tossed up whether, opportunity serving, I should accept you or a certain other, and the other won!”
“May I ask for the name of my fortunate rival?”