"Pride is all very well," said Carrier. "I am proud of being the greatest aviator of the moment, but if I fall and smash myself to pulp, what becomes of my pride? It's impossible for you to lead the life you are leading now without debasing yourself, and then where will your pride be? Listen to me. You have been at the cabaret very little over a month, and already it is telling upon you. It is very good that you are able even for so long to keep men at a distance, but are you keeping them at a distance? For me it is the same thing logically if you drink with men or--" He shrugged his shoulders. "You sell your freedom in either case. _N'est pas que j'ai raison, ma petite Sylvie?_ For me it would be a greater pride to return to England and walk with my head in the air and laugh at the world. Besides, you have a _je ne sais quoi_ that will prevent the world from laughing, but if you continue you will have nothing. When I fall and smash myself to pulp, I sha'n't care about the world's laughter. Nor will you." Indeed he was right, Sylvia thought. That first impulse of defiance seemed already like a piece of petulance, the gesture of a spoiled child. "And you will let me, as a good _copain_, lend you the money for your fare back?" "No," Sylvia said. "I think I can just manage to earn it by going once more to-night to the cabaret. I've arranged to meet some count with an unpronounceable name, who will probably open at least twenty-four bottles. I get my week's salary to-night also. I shall have, with what I have saved, enough to travel back as I came, third class. It has been a thoroughly third-class adventure, _mon vieux_. A thousand thanks for your kindness, but I must pay my pride the little solace of earning enough to get me home again." Carrier shrugged his shoulders. "It must be as you feel. That I understand. But it gives me much pleasure that you are going to be wise. I wish you _de la veine_ to-night." He pressed upon her a mascot to charm fortune into attendance; it was a little red devil with his tongue sticking out.