"It's been decided for a long time," said Robert doggedly, himself showing some signs of enforced restraint. "It was the pater's wish, as you know. I'm sorry now I didn't fix matters before he died; but 'better late than never.' I asked Sylvia today, and we've arranged to get married quite soon."
"Are you by any chance telling the truth?"
"What the blazes do you mean?" and Robert's fist pounded the table heavily.
"Exactly what I say. You say that you and Sylvia have arranged to get married quite soon. Those were your words. Is that true?"
"Confound you, of course it is."
"Sylvia has actually agreed to that?"
"I asked her. What more do you want?"
"I am merely inquiring civilly what she said."
"Dash it, you know what girls are like. You ought to. Isn't Eileen Garth a bit coy at times?"
"One might remark that Mrs. Lisle also was coy."