She nerved herself for the plunge,--her uncle's plunge.

"Your part in the building of this other railroad is purely a business
affair, is it not?"

"My personal interest? Quite so; a mere matter of dollars and cents,
you may say."

"If you should have another offer, from some other company--"

"That is not your argument; it is Mr. Darrah's. You know well enough
what is involved: honor, integrity, good faith, everything a man
values, or should value. I can't believe you would ask such a
sacrifice of me--of any man.

"Indeed, I do not ask it, Mr. Winton. But it is only fair that you
should have your warning. My uncle will leave no stone unturned to
defeat you."

He was still looking into her eyes, and so had courage to say what
came uppermost.

"I don't care: I shall fight him as hard as I can, but I shall always
be his debtor for this evening. Do you understand?"

In a flash her mood changed and she laughed lightly.

"Who would think it of you, Mr. Winton. Of all men I should have said
you were the last to care so much for the social diversions. Shall we
go in?"