But, as she said it, she was smiling, radiant, full of easy calm and racing interest, as became her ladyship who had had "bets at even" before now on Goodwood fillies, and could lead the first flight over the Belvoir and the Quorn countries.

It was possible that her ladyship was too thoroughbred not to see a man killed over the oak-rails without deviating into unseemly emotion, or being capable of such bad style as to be agitated.
Bertie, however, in answer, threw the tenderest eloquence into his eyes; very learned in such eloquence.
"If I could not have been victorious while you looked on, I would at least not have lived to meet you here!" She laughed a little, so did he; they were used to exchange these passages in an admirably artistic masquerade, but it was always a little droll to each of them to see the other wear the domino of sentiment, and neither had much credence in the other.
"What a preux chevalier!" cried his Queen of Beauty.

"You would have died in a ditch out of homage to me.

Who shall say that chivalry is past! Tell me, Bertie; is it very delightful, that desperate effort to break your neck?
It looks pleasant, to judge by its effects.

It is the only thing in the world that amuses you!" "Well--there is a great deal to be said for it," replied Bertie musingly.