Punch Fairfax sat up, open-mouthed. “What an’ keep me?” “I’ll settle two thousand a year on you. That’s twice what you earn.” There was an electric silence. Then Punch rose with a laugh. “‘Clean, honest and sober,’” he said quietly. “I see that I should have added ‘respectable’: but, to tell you the truth, I——” “Sit down, Punch, me lad,” said Athalia Choate. “Dismount and sit down. You’ve given the answer I wanted. Not that I really doubted, but—one likes to make sure.” Fairfax regarded her thoughtfully. Then— “Talk about edgywedged tools,” he said, resuming his seat. “Supposing I’d said ‘D-d-done!’—all quick like, with bulging eyes. . . .” Athalia laughed. “I should have found a way,” she murmured. “And now go on—ask me. There’s still five minutes to go.” “As you please,” said Punch. “Why does one like to make sure?” “Because, so far as I’m concerned, there are only two starters for the Athalia Stakes—and you’re one of them.” “Athalia!” “Wait. I’ll be perfectly straight with you. I’ve had one or two proposals—most women have. But as yet I haven’t had one from . . . the man I love.” Her companion started. “That’s often the way, you know. Perhaps I shall never have it. Many women don’t. . . . But oh”—she laced her slight fingers, set them against her cheek and raised her eyes ecstatically—“oh, I hope I shall, Punch. If you knew what it meant to me! I’ld be so awfully happy. . . .” “Well, I—I hope you will, too,” said Fairfax dismally. “I—I do really. . . . But what are you telling me this for?” “Because you can help me. You see, he is such a dear, but, though we’re quite good friends, the idea of falling in love with me doesn’t seem to have entered his head. And, if he saw us together, I think it might make him think.” Fairfax laughed hysterically. “Excuse my emotion,” he said. “The—the humour of it’s sort of dawning on me—that’s all.” “‘Humour’?” cried Athalia. “Humour—‘h’ mute. Let me explain. Only two runners for the Stakes, of which I’m one and the other won’t start. So I’m to show off my paces—play about on the course and generally show the other what fun running is, and then when it finally dawns on him that if he follows the rails they’ll bring him to the post, I’m to—— Well, where _do_ I come in? I suppose I get a lump of sugar and a dazzling smile.” “Perhaps,” said Athalia dreamily, “the other’ll never start.” Punch set his teeth. “Does it occur——” “Perhaps,” continued Athalia, “when he does, you’ll leave him standing.” The man stared. “That’s my trouble. I love him desperately now—possibly because he doesn’t love me. But, once he’s started, you may go right away.” Fairfax fingered his chin. “D’you really think that likely?” “It’s quite on the cards. At the moment I like you and I love him. So I obviously can’t marry you. If once he gets going, I shall see him in quite a new light. And then—why, I mayn’t love him at all.”