always afraid of the reaction."

"Oh, well, Dick's a man," said Darrow bluntly. "Besides, he's going to
succeed."

"I wish he didn't feel so sure of it. You mustn't think I'm afraid for him.
He's a man, and I want him to take his chances with other men; but I wish
he didn't care so much about what people think."

"People?"

"Miss Verney, then: I suppose you know."

Darrow paused in front of her. "Yes: he's talked a good deal about her. You
think she wants him to succeed?"

"At any price!"

He drew his brows together. "What do you call any price?"

"Well--herself, in this case, I believe."

Darrow bent a puzzled stare on her. "You mean she attached that amount of
importance to this competition?"

"She seems to regard it as symbolical: that's what I gather. And I'm afraid
she's given him the same impression."

Darrow's sunken face was suffused by his rare smile. "Oh, well, he'll pull
it off then!" he said.