"Excuse me, Claudius, I did not mean to offend you."
"You did not offend me at all, Barker. But please—do not ask me any more questions about it." Claudius was perfectly calm again.
"No indeed, my dear fellow, I would not think of it;—and I don't seem to think that I should advise anybody else to," he added mentally. He made up his mind that it must be something very serious, or Claudius, who was so rarely excited, would hardly have behaved as he had done. He made a few remarks about the weather, which had certainly not improved since morning; and then, resolving that he would find out what was the matter before he was much older, he glided down the ladder and went aft. Lady Victoria had disappeared, and her brother was trying to light a short black pipe.
"Duke," Barker began, "what the deuce is the matter with Claudius this morning?"
"Don't know, I'm sure. My sister thinks it is very odd."
"Well, if you don't know, I don't either, but I can make a pretty good guess."
The Duke's vesuvian was sputtering in the spray and wind, and he got a good light before he answered.
"I'll take six to four he marries her, at all events."
"I don't go in for playing it as low down as that on my friends," said Barker virtuously, "or I would take you in hundreds. You must be crazy. Can't you see he has shown up and is sold? Bah! it's all over, as sure as you're born."
"Think that's it?" said the other, much interested. "You may be right. Glad you would not bet, anyhow."