And he's the color of blood, really. Well, Terence saw Le Sangre on a
hilltop against the sky. And he literally went mad. Actually, he struck
out on foot with his rifle and lived in the country and never stopped
walking until he wore down Le Sangre somehow and brought him back
hobbled--just skin and bones, and Terence not much more. Now Le Sangre is
himself again, and he and Terence have a fight--like that--every day. I
dream about it; the most horrible nightmares!"

"And you don't stop it?"

"My dear Vance, how little you know Terence! You couldn't tear that horse
out of his life without breaking his heart. I _know!_"

"So you suffer, day by day?"

"I've done very little else all my life," said Elizabeth gravely. "And
I've learned to bear pain."

He swallowed. Also, he was beginning to grow irritated. He had never
before had a talk with Elizabeth that contained so many reefs that
threatened shipwreck. He returned to the gist of their conversation
rather too bluntly.

"But to continue, Elizabeth, any banker would lend me money on my
prospects."

"You mean the property which will come to you when I die?"

He used all his power, but he could not meet her glance. "You know that's
a nasty way to put it, Elizabeth."