"Not exactly the same thing," said Claudius; "you knew you were going to have it."
"No," put in Barker. "Having money and being likely to have it are about the same as far as spending it goes. Particularly in England."
"I believe the whole thing is a fraud," said the Duke in a tone of profound reflection. "Never had a cent before I came of age. Seems to me I never had any since."
"Spent it all in water-melon and fire-crackers, celebrating your twenty-first birthday, I suppose," suggested Barker.
"Spent it some way, at all events," replied the Duke. "Now, here," he continued, addressing Barker, "is a man who actually has it, who never expected to have it, who has got it in hard cash, and in the only way in which it is worth having—by somebody else's work. Query—what will Claudius do with his millions?" Exhausted by this effort of speech, the Duke puffed his tobacco in silence, waiting for an answer. Claudius laughed, but said nothing.
"I know of one thing he will do with his money. He will get married," said Barker.
"For God's sake, Claudius," said the Duke, looking serious, "don't do that."
"I don't think I will," said Claudius.
"I know better," retorted Barker, "I am quite sure I shall do it myself some day, and so will you. Do you think if I am caught, you are going to escape?"
The Duke thought that if Barker knew the Duchess, he might yet save himself.