"Oh, my dear boy, I have been looking for you everywhere," cried she, offering him a little bunch of red roses, just as though she loved him dearly. "Now, won't you take these for luck? I'm sure you'll want luck to-day, Ferdy. Do you know, I dreamed about you last night?" He said "Yes," and laid the flowers on the seat beside him. I could see him licking his lips as though his mouth were dry, and presently he asked her a question. "What did you dream, Maisa?" She shook her head and began the play-actress style. "Oh, I guess I wouldn't tell you, anyway." "But I want to know, Maisa?" "It was only a dream, of course--aren't they real sometimes, Ferdy? Why, I saw you drive your car over the side of the mountain, just as plainly as ever I saw anything in my life." He laughed quietly, looking at me with a look I shall never forget. "You're quite a wonder at dreaming, Maisa. Suppose I disappoint you this time?" "Don't be foolish, Ferdy--you shouldn't have asked me to tell you. Why, you're too clever to be such a silly, and you know it. Good-bye and good luck. I shall see you in Vienna." He just nodded his head and let in his clutch with such a bang that he nearly threw me over the dash. I could see that his nerve had gone to the winds with the woman's words, and if wishes could have repaid her, she'd have got something for her pains, I do assure you. As it was, I could do nothing but pretend to laugh at it, and that I did to the best of my ability. "Dreams go by contraries," said I; "any child knows that." "She didn't dream it at all," was his answer; "she said it out of spite." "Why should she be spiteful----?" "You ask the man and his master. She's out for another car to win, and will spoil my chances if she can." "More fool you, then, to listen to her. Make up your mind to forget it. You can do it if you try." "Ah," he said, and upon my word I was sorry for him, "that girl's going to be my ruin, Lal, as sure as we're on this car." "You speak like a coward, Ferdy--didn't you say I brought you luck----" "And you shall--I'll try to believe, Lal--I've thought it from the start. If it wasn't for her----" "Oh, be d----d to her," said I; and that I really meant.