"If you do not think ill of her, you have no right to ask such a question as this which you have asked."
"It's not impossible that I should be a trifle interested, you know."
"I cannot understand, sir, how you can have the calmness——"
"Why not? She is my wife, you see. What I want to know is whether you are genuinely, sincerely in love with her. You know what I mean. As between man and man now: is this a for-ever-and-ever affair with you?"
The Austrian's bewilderment found vent in a long sigh.
"It is," said he.
"Good," said Stainton. He thrust his hands into his trousers' pockets and bent forward. "If I let her get a divorce from me, will you marry her?" he asked.
"Do you make a joke?"
"I don't consider this a joking matter, Captain. I ask you a frank question and I want a frank answer."
Von Klausen doubted his ears, but he replied: