The old man nodded.
"I love her."
Colman Killigrew betrayed no emotion whatever, but the sons made a movement expressive of scorn and derision.
Polperro saw this, and the colour began to mount to his cheeks. I could see, too, that he had difficulty in refraining from angry words; but he mastered himself.
"I have reason to believe that my sentiments are not unrequited."
Still Colman Killigrew was silent.
"You know that a messenger was sent to you. He bore a letter containing an offer of marriage. This you received and read."
The old man nodded.
"This you received and read," repeated John Polperro, "but I cannot think you fairly understood the purport of the letter, otherwise you would have sent back a different answer."