“Willingly,” said Baron, obeying his host, and pushing back the jug, “for I want to talk to you, sir, very seriously, and one seems to get on over a glass of wine.”
“To talk to me?” said Sir Mark sharply, for his nerves were still ajar. “Nothing the matter?”
“Yes—and no.”
“Look here, Barron,” cried Sir Mark excitedly, “no beating about the bush. If you want to draw back from your engagement say so like a man.”
“If I want to draw back from my engagement, my dear sir? What in the world are you thinking about?”
“I—er—well, your manner was so strange.”
“Not strange, Sir Mark: serious. There are serious moments in my life. By the way, I have seen my solicitor again respecting the settlements, and the papers will be ready at any time.”
“No hurry, sir, no hurry,” said Sir Mark, frowning. “Well?”
Barron drew a long breath.
“Well, what is it, man—what is wrong?”