It is necessary--all my hopes and aspirations demand it." He was on the point of making a sharp retort, but checked himself suddenly and regarded her with less aversion.

Perhaps she was telling the truth! If so, the situation in which he found himself was not without its touch of grim humor.

But what motive prompted her to extend the mantle of protection about him, and simultaneously to betray George Collins?
He pondered the question a full minute.

Then the simple solution, the only tenable one, occurred to him.

She was ready to betray Collins for the same reason that had made her accept his protection.
"Madam," he said, with an eagerness he did not mean to betray, "knowing who you are, now I can guess at the nature of your hopes and aspirations.