little ashamed to say I was very much excited over it, Mr.
Bathurst. You have not lost, I hope? You are looking" and she stopped.

"Shaky?" he said. "Yes; I feel shaky. I had not a penny on the race,
for though the Doctor made me put into a sweep last night at the club,
I drew a blank; but the shouting and excitement at the finish seemed to
take my breath away, and I felt quite faint."

"That is just how I felt; I did not know men felt like that. They don't
generally seem to know what nerves are."

"I wish I didn't; it is a great nuisance. The Doctor tries to persuade
me that it is the effect of overwork, but I have always been so from a
child, and I can't get over it."

"You don't look nervous, Mr. Bathurst."

"No; when a man is a fair size, and looks bronzed and healthy, no one
will give him credit for being nervous. I would give a very great deal
if I could get over it."

"I don't see that it matters much one way or the other, Mr. Bathurst."

"I can assure you that it does. I regard it as being a most serious
misfortune."

Isobel was a little surprised at the earnestness with which he spoke.

"I should not have thought that," she said quietly; "but I can
understand that it is disagreeable for a man to feel nervous, simply,
I suppose, because it is regarded as a feminine quality; but I think a
good many men are nervous. We had several entertainments on board the
ship coming out, and it was funny to see how many great strong men broke
down, especially those who had to make speeches."

"I am not nervous in that way," Bathurst said, with a laugh. "My pet
horror is noise; thunder prostrates me completely, and in fact all
noises, especially any sharp, sudden sound, affect me. I really find
it a great nuisance. I fancy a woman with nerves considers herself as
a martyr, and deserving of all pity and sympathy. It is almost a
fashionable complaint, and she is a little proud of it; but a man ought
to have his nerves in good order, and as much as that is expected of him
unless he is a feeble little body. There is the bell for the next race."

"Are you going to bet on this race again, Miss Hannay?" Wilson said,
coming up.

"No, Mr. Wilson. I have done my first and last bit of gambling. I
don't think it is nice, ladies betting, after all, and if there were a
hospital here I should order you to send the money the gloves will cost
you to it as conscience money, and then perhaps you might follow my
example with your win