“Fosco! that’s rather a downright question.”

“I am a downright man, and I repeat it.”

“Why the devil do you look at me in that way?”

“You won’t answer me? Well, then, let us say your wife dies before the summer is out⁠—”

“Drop it, Fosco!”

“Let us say your wife dies⁠—”

“Drop it, I tell you!”