After a moment he spoke to her.
"I wonder how you knew," he said.
Nina leant her head against him like an exhausted child.
"I saw it coming," she said. "It was in his eyes--mad hatred. I knew he
was going to--to kill you if he could."
She did not want to meet his eyes, but he gently compelled her.
"And so you saved my life," he said in a quiet tone.
"I had to," she said faintly.
Archie here reappeared with a glass of water.
"The fellow is in a fit," he reported. "They are taking him away. Jove,
Wingarde! You ought to be a dead man. If Nina hadn't spoilt that shot--"
Nina was shuddering, and he broke off.
"You'd better give up cornering gold fields," he said lightly. "It seems
he was nearly ruined over your last _coup_. You may do that sort of
thing once too often, don't you know. I shouldn't chance another throw."
Nina stood up shakily and looked at her husband.
"If you only would give it up!" she said, with trembling vehemence.
"I--I hate money!"
Wingarde made no response; but Archie instantly took her up.
"You only hate money for what it can't buy," he said. "You probably
expect too much from it. Don't blame money for that.
Pages:
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187