'About our marriage.'

'Well, what did you say?'

'What did I say? I really don't remember; the row has put it all out of my
head. Let me think. I was saying--I mean she was asking me when we should
be married.'

'And what did you say to that? Did you fix a day?'

'Fix a day!' said Dick, looking in astonishment at his friend. 'How could I
fix a day?'

'I think if I loved a woman and she loved me I could manage somehow to fix
a day.'

These words were spoken with an earnestness that attracted Dick's
attention, and he looked inquiringly at the young man.

'So you think I ought to marry her?'

'Think you ought to marry her?' exclaimed Montgomery indignantly; 'really,
Dick, I didn't think you were--Just remember what she's given up for you.
You owe it to her. Good heavens!'

'Well, you needn't get into a passion; I've had enough of passions for one
day.'

The impetuousness of the youth had struck through the fat nonchalance of
the man, and he said after a pause: