If so, by revealing it to Paula, Havill might utterly blast his project for the marriage.

Havill, then, was at all risks to be retained as an ally.
Yet Dare would have preferred a stronger check upon his confederate than was afforded by his own knowledge of that anonymous letter and the competition trick.

For were the competition lost to him, Havill would have no further interest in conciliating Miss Power; would as soon as not let her know the secret of De Stancy's relation to him.
Fortune as usual helped him in his dilemma.

Entering Havill's office, Dare found him sitting there; but the drawings had all disappeared from the boards.

The architect held an open letter in his hand.
'Well, what news ?' said Dare.
'Miss Power has returned to the castle, Somerset is detained in London, and the competition is decided,' said Havill, with a glance of quiet dubiousness.
'And you have won it ?' 'No.