He remembered that his brother-in-law had done exactly the same thing at the very apex of a long-departed crisis; indeed, just before he offered spontaneously to take over the mortgages on the Abbey estate.
"You were talking, Colonel," he began, "when Mary came in," and he paused.
"I daresay," replied the Colonel indifferently, fixing a contemptuous glance upon some stone mullions of atrocious design.
"About Morris marrying ?" "Oh, yes, so I was! Well ?" "Well--she seems to like him.

I know she does indeed.

She never talks of any other young man." "She?
Who ?" "My daughter, Mary; and--so--why shouldn't they--you know ?" "Really, John, I must ask you to be a little more explicit.

It's no good your addressing me in your business ciphers." "Well--I mean--why shouldn't he marry her?
Morris marry Mary?
Is that plain enough ?" he asked in desperation.
For a moment a mist gathered before the Colonel's eyes.

Here was salvation indeed, if only it could be brought about.