"Had she ever any children?"
Verisschenzko crossed himself.
"Heaven forbid! Think of watching Harietta's instincts coming out in a child! Poor Stanislass is at least saved that!"
"What a terrible thought that would be to one! But no man thinks of such things in selecting a wife!"
"You will not marry yet—no?"
"Certainly not, there is no necessity that I should. Marriage is only an obligation for the heads of families, not for the younger branches."
"But if Sir John Ardayre has no son, you are—in blood—the next direct heir."
"And Ferdinand is the next direct heir-in-law—that makes one sick—"
Verisschenzko poured his friend out a whisky and soda and said smiling:
"Then let us drink once more to the Ardayre son!"