"You do not appear to care whether I back your horse or not," said Eve sharply.
"I don't suppose it will make any difference to his winning chance," said Alan.
"The Baron says I bring him good luck when I back his horses," she replied.
"Very nice of him, I am sure. I suppose he puts Merry Monarch's Derby win down to that cause."
"Perhaps he does; anyhow he's more complimentary than you," snapped Eve.
Alan was amused. What was she cross about?
Eve saw he was amused and it irritated her. She began to think he cared very little about her; this feeling hurt and caused her pain mingled with anger. Why was he so blind when others acknowledged her charms, sometimes made love to her; she had spurned them all for his sake and he neglected her. She felt reckless; a plunge might relieve the tension, cause excitement, make her forget these things. She turned to the Baron and said:
"Will you execute a commission for me?"
"With pleasure. Are you going to back my horse?"
"Yes; put me five hundred on," she said.