"Well, when your pointer or your setter have made a sure stand, they have done their duty, have they not? The rest depends upon the accuracy of your aim and the quickness of your fire."
"If you mean by that, monsieur, that, when you have once told me there is a rich heiress in the market, your one and a half per cent. is earned, I—"
"Pardon me, M. le duc, I am too good a business man to come to you with any such proposition as that. In short, I stand ready to place you in a position which is not only admirable in every respect, but entirely inaccessible to any other person. Your own personal attractions and your illustrious name will easily do the rest."
"And this position?"
"You must know, M. le duc, that I am not green enough to tell you my secret before you have given me your word as a gentleman that—"
"M. de Ravil," said Gerald, interrupting the scoundrel whom he was strongly tempted to kick out of the house, "this jesting has lasted quite long enough."
"What jesting, M. le duc?"
"You must understand that I cannot consider such a proposition seriously. Wed under your auspices,—that would be a little too ridiculous."
"You refuse, then!"
"I have that honour."