"Do you know," he said, in a different tone, "if it hadn't been for that fiendish trial, I'd have been in the same race with Field, and I believe I'd have made better running, too ?" "Ah!" she said.
It was almost a gasp of pain.

He stopped deliberately and looked into her face.
"Violet!" he said.
She trembled at his tone and thrust out a protesting hand.

"Ah, what is the use ?" she cried.

"Do you--do you want to break my heart ?" Her voice failed.

For the first time her eyes met his fully.
There followed an interval of overwhelming stillness in which neither of them drew a breath.