Adrien Leroy

The marchioness was a lady with a passion for bridge, and an intense

admiration for Adrien Leroy.

"You are quite sure your horse, that pretty creature with the long neck,

is going to win?" she inquired, as he stood by her chair.

Her sister, Lady Merivale, looked up mockingly.

"Of course he's going to win, Alicia. Did not Lady Constance Tremaine

say so? Surely she ought to know!"

Leroy did not appear to notice the jealous sarcasm of this speech.

"I hope he will win," he said gravely. "Nothing is certain in this

world, and race-horses are said to be as fickle as your sex, dear lady."

This was a mild thrust at Lady Merivale; but she only smiled sweetly in

response. "Still, I think you may safely bet on the 'King'; he's in fine

form." Then he turned to his cousin. "Here is your beau cavalier,

Constance," he said, almost jealously, as Jasper Vermont came leisurely

up the steps of the grand stand; then, with a swift glance at the girl

which was not lost upon Lady Merivale, he went down once more to his

father.

"The bell is about to ring now," he said. "Are you sure you can see?"

"Quite sure," replied Lord Barminster curtly. "How is the horse?"

"In splendid form, sir," Adrien answered cheerfully. "I should think it

is a safe thing. If you are quite all right, I'll get back to the others

now, before the crush begins."

His father nodded, and the young man made his way back to the stand.

Here he found the Castle guests already seated. Harsh cries from the

betting-ring still ascended at intervals, though the majority of the

vast crowd had settled down to watch the race. With a thrill of

pleasure, Adrien saw that Lady Constance had kept a seat vacant for him

beside herself; and with a light word to Lady Merivale as he passed, he

took his place, and unstrapping the heavy field-glasses, arranged them

to Lady Constance's liking.

"Can you see all right?" he asked.

"Beautifully," she replied, as she tried them. "What excitement they are

all in," she added, as she surveyed the seething crowd.

Adrien smiled, pleased because she was pleased; for himself, except that

he wished his horse to win in order that it should gain fresh laurels,

he had no interest in the affair. Certainly he never gave a thought to

the fearful amount of money involved.

Then, amid a murmur of excitement, the starting-gate went up, and the

horses were off. For a while "Miracour" led; "Bluebell" running close

beside him; the "King" striding along in cool, quiet canter that covered

the miles at greater speed than the little mare could hope to maintain.