Here, presently, they were joined by Joseph Sidney, and soon Barbara found herself walking on ahead with him, while the two others followed them at a little distance.
She had not seen him since the night at Covent Garden, and she noticed with concern that he looked worn and worried.
“I saw that Averstone did no good,” she said, as soon as they were out of earshot.
“No,” said Sidney shortly.
“Did you back him?” she asked, and knew the answer before he spoke.
“Oh yes,” he said, “I backed him all right. He’d have won, I daresay, if I hadn’t spoilt his chance with my rotten luck.”
Barbara walked on in silence for a minute.
“I’m sorry,” she said at length. “It was my fault. I gave you the tip.”
“Nonsense,” he answered almost roughly. “Your money’s gone too.”