"
She acquiesced silently, recognising that, although he had not
alluded to it in words, he had no intention of saying anything
further at present. Trent, who had been looking forward to the next
few minutes with all the eagerness of a man who, for the first time
in his life, runs the favourite in a great race, smiled as he
realised how very content he was to stay where nothing could be seen
until the final struggle was over. They took up their places side
by side and leaned over the railing.
"Have you much money on Iris?" she asked.
"A thousand both ways," he answered. "I don't plunge, but as I
backed her very early I got 10 to 1 and 7 to 2. Listen! They're
off!"
There was a roar from across the course, followed by a moment's
breathless silence. The clamour of voices from Tattersall's subsided,
and in its place rose the buzz of excitement from the stands, the
murmur of many voices gradually growing in volume. Far away down
the straight Ernestine and Trent, leaning over the rail, could see
the little coloured specks come dancing into sight. The roar of
voices once more beat upon the air.
"Nero the Second wins!"
"The favourite's done!"
"Nero the Second for a monkey!"
"Nero the Second romps in!"
"Iris! Iris! Iris wins!"
It was evident from the last shout and the gathering storm of
excitement that, after all, it was to be a race They were well in
sight now; Nero the Second and Iris, racing neck-and-neck, drawing
rapidly away from the others.
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