"That is for you and Cain to decide," said Miss Strode indifferently, "but you can quite understand why I don't discuss these things."
Saltars kicked the fender sulkily. "I wish you would be more friendly, Eva," he said. "I need a friend, and so, by Jove, do you."
"How can I befriend you?"
"Well, I'm in love with Miss Lorry, and there will be a shine if I marry her. She's perfectly straight and----"
"I don't want to hear about her," said Eva angrily, "and if you were a gentlemen you wouldn't talk to me of that sort of person."
"She's a perfectly decent sort," said Saltars, angry in his turn, "I intend to make her my wife."
"That has nothing to do with me. And I wish you'd drop this conversation, Lord Saltars. It doesn't interest me. I am quite willing to be friends. Your manner is absurd, but you mean well. Come," and she held out her hand.
Saltars took it with a long breath. "Just like the dowager," said he, "just as nippy. I'd like to see you have a turn up with old Lady Ipsen."
"Well, then," said Eva, "now we are friends and you promise not to talk nonsense to me, tell me what you mean by my father making a fortune for me."
"For both of us, by Jove," said his lordship; "you were to be Lady Saltars, and then we were to have forty thousand pounds."