‘I have determined, my lord,’ said he, with somewhat of decision in his tone that savoured of a challenge, ‘to go over to Ireland by the morning mail.’
Too much engrossed by his own thoughts to notice the other’s manner, Lord Danesbury merely turned from the papers before him to say, ‘Ah, indeed! it would be very well done. We were talking about that, were we not, yesterday? What was it?’
‘The Greek—Kostalergi’s daughter, my lord?’
‘To be sure. You are incredulous about her, ain’t you?’
‘On the contrary, my lord, I opine that the fellow has told us the truth. I believe he has a daughter, and destines this money to be her dowry.’
‘With all my heart; I do not see how it should concern me. If I am to pay the money, it matters very little to me whether he invests it in a Greek husband or the Double Zero—speculations, I take it, pretty much alike. Have you sent a telegram?’
‘I have, my lord. I have engaged your lordship’s word that you are willing to treat.’
‘Just so; it is exactly what I am! Willing to treat, willing to hear argument, and reply with my own, why I should give more for anything than it is worth.’
‘We need not discuss further what we can only regard from one point of view, and that our own.’
Lord Danesbury started. The altered tone and manner struck him now for the first time, and he threw his spectacles on the table and stared at the speaker with astonishment.