"What?"

"I'm going to have a shot. She can but say 'No.'"

Archie's extreme repose of manner vanished for a second. His jaw dropped a little.

"But, good Lord! I hadn't the faintest—"

"I know you hadn't. But I've had it for a long time.... What d'you think, Archie?"

"My good chap—"

"Yes, I know; leave all that out. We'll take that as read. What comes next?"

Archie looked at him a moment.

"How d'you mean? Do you mean, do I approve?"

"Well, I didn't mean that," admitted Dick. "I meant, how'd I better set about it?"