She couldn't
help it. Women can't."
"I see," said Toby. "And doesn't--Jake--mind?"
"Jake? No, not a bit. He's sure of her now. She thinks there's no one
like him in the world. And she's quite right. There's not." Bunny spoke
with warm enthusiasm.
Toby's brows were drawn a little. "Then--she isn't in love with Lord
Saltash?" she said.
"No, not now. She just takes a motherly interest in him, tries to
persuade him to settle down and be good--that sort of thing. I believe
she feels rather responsible for him. He certainly bolted very thoroughly
after she gave him up. It's all years ago of course. But he's never
settled--never will."
"I see," said Toby.
A slight shiver went through her, and she looked up at Bunny with a
small, pinched smile. "Fancy--Maud--giving him up!" she said.
"Well, she always had her share of pride, and he certainly didn't treat
her with great consideration. He might have known she'd never stand it,"
said Bunny. "He only had himself to thank."
Toby's look was puzzled, oddly pathetic. "But he's such a king," she
said. "I don't suppose he'd ever think of that."
Again Bunny's arm tightened about the narrow shoulders. There was
something about her that appealed to him very deeply, something he sensed
rather than saw.
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