"Oh, Jake," she said, colouring a little, "I don't believe Charlie would do him any harm." "Not intentionally perhaps," said Jake. "I've no ill feeling for him, heaven knows, but I can't say I think his society likely to have a very improving effect upon anyone." "I don't think you quite understand him," Maud said thoughtfully. Whereat Jake laughed so suddenly that she looked at him with raised brows. He got to his feet, still laughing. "Very likely not. We've had a good many misunderstandings, he and I, from the day I cowhided him for a scoundrel to the day I nearly shot him for a blackguard." "Oh, but that was all so long ago," Maud said quickly. "He wasn't much more than a boy in those days. He has grown a lot since then." Jake grunted. "Which way, think you? Well, I must dress. He may be here before we're ready for him." He turned to go back to his own room, but Maud stayed him for a moment. "Jake," she said almost wistfully, "you know--with all his faults--he always had--possibilities." "I know," Jake said, looking down at her. "He's made the most of 'em too." Her face quivered. "Don't," she said. "It--isn't it rather ungenerous to condemn a man unheard?" Jake made a faint sound of contempt or scepticism, but no reply in words. She drew herself up out of her chair by his arm. "Jake, I want you to do something for me." "Well?" said Jake uncompromisingly. She met his look unswervingly. "Let me be a friend to him tonight! Let me be alone with him and find out--if he will tell me--whether there is any truth in this rumour that there was a woman on board the yacht." "And when you've found out?" said Jake. She made a little gesture of appeal. "Will you leave that to me? I have sometimes felt that I might be--a help to him if ever there came an opportunity. Jake, you don't mind my trying to help him? I have a feeling that I understand him better than most people do." "I think it's a wasted sentiment," Jake said. "But--do what seems good to you, my girl! I shan't interfere." "And you won't be vexed?" she pleaded. He smiled his sudden, illumining smile. "No, I reckon you'll never vex me any that way again," he said. She went close to him. "Indeed--no, Jake! But--don't you understand? I hate to go against your wishes--your prejudices--in anything." He put out a hand to her. "You needn't be afraid of that either," he said. "If you do it--it's right." She clasped the strong hand tightly in both her own. "That's the best thing you've ever said to me," she said. "Are you quite sure you mean it?" "Sure," said Jake, and pulled her to him to kiss her once again. CHAPTER III BUNNY