I suffered--in the old days.... You see I'm frank with you. Help me.
We're neither of us growing younger. I'm mad for that girl, and I must
have her.'

Hugo put his hands into his pockets, and consulted his toes. This
semi-step-brother of his somehow aroused his compassion.

'No, Louis,' he said; 'I can't.'

'You hate me?'

'Not a bit.'

'Do you think I'm too old to marry, or what is it?'

'It's just like this, Louis, my friend: I have every intention of
marrying Miss Payne myself.'

'You!... Ah!... Indeed!'

'I have so decided. And when I decide, the thing is as good as done.'

'And that's why you were watching last night! Good! Oh, good! Only I
may as well inform you, Owen, that if Camilla Payne marries anyone but
me, there will be murder. And no ordinary murder, either!'

Hugo took a turn in the gallery. He felt genuinely sorry for the gray
and desperate man, driven by the intensity of emotion to utterances
which were merely absurd.