“No,” said the old sailor abruptly; “she shall come down, and it shall be yes or no right off.”
He rang the bell sharply, and then crossed back to Stratton, and shook his hand again.
“You’ve behaved very well indeed, my lad,” he said; “and I like you for it. I never knew your father, but he must have been a gentleman. Your mother, Becky’s friend, was as sweet a lady as I ever met.”
The butler entered.
“Mr Barron gone?”
“No, Sir Mark.”
“Don’t matter. Go and ask Miss Perrin to step down here.”
The butler bowed, and left the room.
Stratton started from his seat with his face ghastly.
“Hullo, my lad! what’s the matter? Time for action, and afraid to meet that saucy little thing. I say, you scientific fellows make poor lovers. Hold up, man, or she’ll laugh at you.”