"Hum. Well, you see, neither my wife nor I belong to your country, and you are not in your country now. However, there is no need for you to get excited, Captain. I am sorry if I seem to have intruded on your confidence with a lady; but, to tell you the truth, as my wife has admitted that she is in love with you, I was not unnaturally somewhat curious to discover whether you reciprocated her affection." Von Klausen's eyes protruded. This husband was, obviously, mad. He might have been driven mad by his discovery. The discovery seemed a thing accomplished. With a great in-taking of breath, the Austrian made answer: "You have loved your wife. Why should _I_ be ashamed to say that I love her?" If von Klausen expected an explosion, he was disappointed. "Well," said Stainton, calmly, "that is one way of looking at it." "Please?" "Never mind. You say you love her?" "Yes." Stainton looked at him narrowly, from under heavy brows. He regularly tapped his knuckles with the envelope. "For a day?" he asked. "Sir?" "I mean: is this a world-without-end business so far as you are concerned, or is it one of your little amusements by the way?" The Austrian clenched his teeth. "Do you mean to insult me, sir?" "I assure you that I mean nothing of the sort." "Then you insult your wife!" "Not at all. I am sorry that you should suppose I could think ill of her." "If you do not think ill of her, you have no right to ask such a question as this which you have asked." "It's not impossible that I should be a trifle interested, you know." "I cannot understand, sir, how you can have the calmness----" "Why not? She is my wife, you see. What I want to know is whether you are genuinely, sincerely in love with her. You know what I mean. As between man and man now: is this a for-ever-and-ever affair with you?" The Austrian's bewilderment found vent in a long sigh. "It is," said he. "Good," said Stainton. He thrust his hands into his trousers' pockets and bent forward. "If I let her get a divorce from me, will you marry her?" he asked. "Do you make a joke?" "I don't consider this a joking matter, Captain. I ask you a frank question and I want a frank answer." Von Klausen doubted his ears, but he replied: "I would desire nothing better, but my faith forbids." "You're sincere in that?" "Absolutely." "I mean about your faith, you know." "Whatever else may be charged against me, sir, heresy or infidelity may not be charged." "Have a cigar," said Stainton. He produced his cigar-case, gave the Austrian a cigar, held a steady match while his guest secured a light, and then, with a cigar between his teeth, began to walk rapidly up and down the room, puffing quietly, his hands clasped behind his back.