Max thrust his hands deep into his pockets. "As to keeping it up," he said, "you've no choice; neither have I. It may be a matter for regret from some points of view, but a matter of the most urgent expediency it undoubtedly is. I tell you plainly, Nick, this is not a thing to be played with. There are some risks that no one has any right to take. This is one."
He looked at Nick, square-jawed and determined; but Nick vigorously shook his head.
"I am not with you. I don't agree. I never shall agree."
Max's cynical smile became more pronounced. "Then you will have to act against your judgment for once. There is no alternative. And I shall go Home by the first boat I can catch."
"And leave her to fret her heart out," said Nick.
Max removed his pipe, and attentively regarded the bowl. After nearly a minute he put it back again and stared impenetrably at Nick. "She won't do that," he said.
"I'll tell you what she will do," said Nick. "She will go and marry that wild Irish brother of yours."
Max continued to look at him. His mouth was no longer cynical, but cocked at a humorous angle. "I say, what a clever little chap you are!" he said. "Whatever made you think of that?"
Nick grinned in spite of himself. Disagree as he might with Max Wyndham, yet was he always in some subtle fashion in sympathy with him.
"I suppose she might do worse," he admitted after a moment. "He's a well-behaved youngster as a general rule."