"
"My good Jake. I don't go in for aims and motives," protested Saltash.
"Call it a marriage of convenience if you feel that way! It's all the
same to me."
Jake's brows contracted. "I'd give a good deal not to call it that," he
said.
Saltash laughed. "Call it what you like--a whim--a fancy--the craze of
the moment! You needn't waste any sentiment over it. I'm sorry about
Bunny, but, if he hadn't been an ass, it wouldn't have happened. You
can't blame me for that anyhow. You did the same thing yourself."
"I!" The red-brown eyes suddenly shone. "I don't follow you," said Jake
deliberately.
"You married your wife to deliver her from--a fate you deemed
unsuitable." Saltash's teeth showed for a moment in answer to the gleam
in Jake's eyes. "You did it in an almighty hurry too."
"But--damn it--she needed protection!" Jake said. "And--at least--I loved
her!"
Saltash bowed. "Hence your motive was an entirely selfish one. My
wife--_au contraire_--is quite unhampered by a husband's devotion. I have
never made love to her--yet. I have only--protected her."
He paused, and suddenly the old monkey-like look of mischief flashed back
into his face.
"I lay claim to the higher virtue, Jake," he said.
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