He had made his attempt, delivered his charge, and it had failed, now his heart beat quietly again. He was speaking in a companionable, detached voice about merino sheep, the peculiarities of a Spanish rent-roll, the inconvenience of war, a sailor’s chances of prize-money, and he was reaching for his neckcloth when she interrupted him and said, “Stephen, what you said turned my head about so much I hardly know what I answered. I must think. Let us talk about it again in Calcutta. I must have months and months to think. Lord, how pale you have gone again. Come, put on a light gown and we will sit in the court for the fresh air; these lamps are intolerable indoors.