I endeavoured to change the subject by drawing his attention to a bank of clouds we were about to pierce in our upward career, but it was in vain.
"You admire her very much?"
"No one can help admiring her," I answered.
"I never could understand why you did not marry her."
"The truth, is that it never occurred to me to ask her. Our friendship was that of brother and sister. Although no more beautiful object could be found, old fellow, it seems a little out of place to discuss your wife."
"What did I bring you here for?"
"Then your purpose in getting me to ascend with you was to talk about Mrs. Green? It strikes me that a more convenient and comfortable place could have been found somewhere on the earth. You are a funny fellow," I said.
"What I have to say is better without witnesses. Here I can be judge and executioner."
This extraordinary answer put me on my guard, and I watched his movements as well as I could in the uncertain light which was beginning to appear in the heavens. Contrary winds had carried us rapidly in different directions, and until we had a little more light it was impossible to tell where we were. It was not a very pleasant position to be cooped up in such close quarters with a jealous husband, whose mind was evidently unhinged, and I thought that the sooner our voyage was finished the better. So far as strength went I was the stronger of the two, but a struggle in a balloon floating a few miles above the earth was to be avoided. I tried what silence would do.