"I presume it will," returned the wife, speaking indifferently.
"Shall I see him?" asked Dunbar.
"If you please." Still in a tone of indifference.
"What is the amount of your property; do you know?"
In spite of his effort to ask this question without evincing any particular interest in the answer, he could not help betraying, to some extent, what he really did feel; but whether his wife perceived it or not, was hard to tell.
"I never knew exactly," she replied, "but I think it was originally twenty-five thousand dollars. I suppose it has increased a little, as I have never drawn as much as the interest."
"Twenty-five thousand dollars!" exclaimed Dunbar, thrown off his guard. "Only twenty-five thousand dollars!"
"And pray, how much did you suppose it was?" asked the startled wife, through whose whole frame the words of her husband thrilled. She was instantly aware that he had been attracted by the hope of securing a large fortune, and as instantly she felt a strong sense of indignation. Her pride was aroused, and that with her was an overmastering passion.
Dunbar saw that he had betrayed himself, and he also saw, by the expression of his wife's face, that he had committed an offence not likely to be soon forgiven.
"I was informed that it was more," he said, speaking with forced calmness.