"Send it somewhere else?" She saw that his lips were twitching, that his face seemed bloodless. "But—I don't understand. Not a word of explanation is enclosed. I don't know what it means. Perhaps there's some mistake. Let's—let's see who's won."
The other enclosure which had come for him was obviously a copy of the paper. He tore it open-still with hands which trembled. He searched its columns for the announcement.
"My God!"
"Geoffrey! what's the matter? Who has won? Oh, Geoffrey, have you won?"
"Me! me!" He rose to his feet, as it were, inch by inch. "It's Philip Ayre!"
"Philip Ayre!"
Falling on her knees beside the table, Mrs. Ford covered her face with her hands.
"It's Philip Ayre! Didn't I tell you he was destined to be my evil star? Curse——"
Mrs. Ford rose up in front of him.
"Geoffrey, be careful what you say! I am Philip Ayre."