So, go on; I am listening." And Roland closed his eyes as if to concentrate all his attention on what Sir John was about to say.

But the matter was evidently, from Sir John's point of view, so extremely difficult to make known, that at the end of a dozen seconds, finding that Sir John was still silent, Roland opened his eyes.
The Englishman was pale again; but this time he was paler than before.
Roland held out his hand to him.
"Why," he said, "I see you want to make some compliment about the way you were treated at the Chateau des Noires-Fontaines." "Precisely, my friend; for the happiness or misery of my life will date from my sojourn at the chateau." Roland looked fixedly at Sir John.

"The deuce!" he exclaimed, "can I be so fortunate--" Then he stopped, remembering that what he was about to say was most unconventional from the social point of view.
"Oh!" exclaimed Sir John, "my dear Roland, finish what you were saying." "You wish it ?" "I implore you." "But if I am mistaken; if I should say something nonsensical." "My friend, my friend, go on." "Well, as I was saying, my lord, can I be so fortunate as to find your lordship in love with my sister ?" Sir John gave a cry of joy, and with a rapid movement, of which so phlegmatic a man might have been thought incapable, he threw himself in Roland's arms.
"Your sister is an angel, my dear Roland," he exclaimed, "and I love her with all my heart." "Are you entirely free to do so, my lord ?" "Entirely.

For the last twelve years, as I told you, I have had my fortune under my own control; it amounts to twenty-five thousand pounds sterling a year." "Too much, my dear fellow, for a woman who can only bring you fifty thousand francs." "Oh!" said the Englishman, with that national accent that returned to him occasionally in moments of strong excitement, "if I must get rid of a part of it, I can do so." "No," replied Roland, laughing, "that's not necessary.

You're rich; it's unfortunate, but what's to be done ?--No, that's not the question.