"It is Figaro's race," said Mr. Paca.
"If he wins the next heat," observed Sir Edward.
"The others are out of it," said Paca. "I am sorry, Sir Edward, but they are, and Figaro will get better; we have seen it happen before, in other races."
And Mr. Paca was right. Figaro won the next heat even easier than the last, and Dr. Hammond led him off, while the men cheered, and the ladies waved their handkerchiefs.
"Will you ride back with us?" Miss Stirling asked, as Maynadier made his adieu.
"And have myself put down as rival to these young men," he said, with a smile.
"What do you care, since you are not."
"True enough, but the public would not believe it."
"The public believes what suits it."
"Just so, but it does not suit me that the public should have any cause to believe me smitten."