What was he going to say to her? What had he overheard? What must he think of the agitation she had displayed upon discovering him?
Her breath quivered through her parted lips. The dread of the night before was upon her, but ten times magnified by her present weakness and the thought of that which he might have overheard.
But Jake sat in unbroken silence, his hand holding hers in a steady, purposeful grasp; and gradually, very gradually, her fear began to subside. He could have heard nothing! Surely he could have heard nothing! Surely, if he had, he would have spoken, have questioned--or accused!
A great shiver went through her.
"Cold?" said Jake.
She opened her eyes. "No."
His hand closed more firmly about her own. "Don't be so anxious!" he said. "It'll be all right."
His voice was kind, she tried to smile.
"Was he--was he very nervous?" she asked, finding relief in speech.
"Game all through," said Jake. "Went off like a baby. Say, Maud, he'll be a fine man some day."