"I have sometimes feared, sir, that I have thought of her too much."
"Indeed." The word, as it came from between his lips, was a gently murmured sneer.
"I should not have imagined that you were that kind of man. Townsend, would you like to marry?"
"It has been my constant dream."
"Has it? And about Lily Langdale and others?"
What did he know about Lily, and the rest of them? I would have given something to have learned just how much the old sleuth-hound did know about everything or anything. I felt all the time that he had me at a strong advantage. When I am in his presence I always do feel like that.
"You yourself, sir, have been a bachelor."
"True--I have. I take it, Townsend, that when you marry you will cease to be a bachelor."
"Undoubtedly."
"What would you say to ten thousand pounds a-year?"