He had won--what?
Nothing, as he knew very well, beyond the opportunity to fight further for her, and under a far harder handicap, a handicap which he had foolishly imposed on himself.

This woman, seen face to face, yes, she was beautiful, desirable, covetable.

But she was not the sort of woman he had supposed her.

It was Carlisle, after all, who had won in the game! For two moments he debated many things in his mind.

Did not women of old sometimes relent?
He asked himself over and over again the same questions, pleaded to himself the same arguments.