Maud's head was bent; she did not attempt to answer him.
He got up abruptly and came to her. "Good-bye, Maud of the roses!"
She started slightly. "You are going?"
"Yes, I am going. I have received my discharge. My faithful service is at end--unless--or may I say until?--that message comes to call me back." He bent towards her. "Even I cannot wait for ever." he said. "Do you know I stood by the orchard-gate in the rain for two hours on the day of the races? You had a visitor, and so I would not intrude upon you. But you, chère reine,--you knew I was going to be there. And yet you never came."
She raised her head sharply, moved by something in his tone. "But how could I? How could I?" she said. "Besides,--Jake knew."
He laughed. "Yes, Jake knew. He saw me that night of moonshine. He nearly challenged me. And then he changed his mind and passed on. I conclude it didn't suit him to quarrel with me. But what of that? He was bound to know some day."
She clasped her hands tightly together. "If he knew all--he would shoot you," she said, with a sudden hard shudder.
But Saltash only laughed again, and touched a wisp of her hair. "Oh, I don't think so, queen of the roses. I think he would have pity on my innocence--if he knew all. But that isn't the point, you know. The point is that you choose bondage with him rather than freedom with me. And that being so, I can only bow to your ruling. Once more--good-bye!"
She parted her hands with an effort, and gave him one of them. "What about--my mother, Charlie?" she said.
He pressed her fingers lightly. "I commend her to the kind care of her worthy son-in-law."