“Yes, yes, uncle, that is just what I am,” he answered, and laughed.
“Is there no shame in you, boy? What have you to maintain a wife with?”
“Nothing, uncle. Had I anything, I would never get married.”
“Do you say that, do you say that, Sir Sunshine? But that fine jacket,—you have had money enough to get you that?”
“On credit, uncle.”
“And the horse you are riding, that is worth a lot of money, I can tell you. Where did you get that?”
“The horse is not mine, uncle.”
This was more than Melchior could withstand.
“God be with you, boy,” he said. “You do indeed need a wife who has something. If you can win Marianne, take her.”
So everything had been made clear between them before Baron Adrian had even dismounted. But Melchior Sinclair knew very well what he was about, for Baron Adrian was a fine fellow.