There was nothing ornamental about Jake Bolton. Short, thick-set,
powerful as a bull and with something of a bull's unswerving contempt for
all obstacles in his path, with red-brown eyes that were absolutely level
in their regard and mercilessly keen, such was the man who had married
Maud Brian eight years before, practically in the teeth of Saltash who
had wooed her in her girlhood. There was no feud between them. Their
enmity was long since dead and buried. Saltash could be intolerably
malicious and even vindictive when the mood took him, but his moods never
lasted. And as for Bolton, since he had won and still possessed his
heart's desire, he could afford to be generous.

His greeting was generous now, but it was not wholly without reserve. He
gave Saltash a square hand-grip before he uttered a word.

Then: "Glad you're safe and sound, my lord," he said, in a voice that was
curiously soft and deliberate.

"That's uncommon kind of you, Jake," laughed Saltash, with his royal air
of graciousness. "I share the sentiment. I know you would all have been
heart-broken if I hadn't turned up again. How is Maud?"

"Very well--if she doesn't work too hard. I have to keep her in order in
that respect," said Jake Bolton with a sudden smile that swept all the
somewhat dominant lines from his face.

Saltash grinned in sympathy. "You always were a bully, but I'll bet she
gets her own way all the same. So you've got a boy at last! Hope it's a
good one!"