Cosden was oblivious to his raillery. "What do you think of marriage?" he demanded abruptly.
The question, and the serious manner in which it was asked, succeeded in rousing Huntington to a point of interest.
"What do I think of— So that's the idea, is it, Connie? That's why you picked me up on what I said about bachelors? Good heavens, man! you haven't made up your mind to marry me off like this without my consent?"
"Of course not," Cosden answered, with some impatience; "but what do you think of the idea in general?"
Huntington looked at his companion with some curiosity. "Well," he said deliberately, "if you really ask the question seriously, I consider marriage an immorality, as it offers the greatest possible encouragement to deceit."
Cosden sighed. "You are a hard man to talk to when you don't start the conversation. I really want your advice."
"Would it be asking too much to suggest that you throw out a few hints here and there as to the real bearing of your inquiry, so that I may come fairly close on the third guess?"
"I've decided to get married," Cosden announced.
"By Jove!" The words brought Huntington bolt upright in his seat. "You don't really mean it?"
"That's just what I mean. It occurred to me on the way home from the office last night. What you said about a bachelor's life being an inconsistency reminded me of it. I believe you're right."