With his eye he
measured the distance that separated him from the first hurdle; he
noticed a shining stone on the course; he observed that Rutolo was
watching him, and a tremor ran through him from head to foot.
The bell gave the signal, but Brummel was off too soon and the start was
no good. The second time too they made a false start, and again through
Brummel's fault. Sperelli and the duke exchanged a furtive smile.
The third start was successful. Brummel instantly detached himself from
the group and swept along by the palings. The other three horses
followed abreast for a moment or so, and cleared the first hurdle and
then the second very well. Each of the three riders played a different
game. The Duke di Beffi tried to keep with the group, so that Satirist
might be induced to follow the example of the other horses at the
obstacles; Caligaro moderated Carbonilla's pace in order to save up her
strength for the last five hundred yards. Sperelli increased his speed
gradually with the intention of catching up with his adversary in the
neighbourhood of the most difficult obstacle. In effect, Mallecho soon
distanced his two companions and began to press Brummel very closely.
Rutolo heard the rapidly approaching hoof-thuds behind him and was
seized with such nervousness that his sight seemed to fail him.
Everything swam before his eyes as if he were on the point of swooning.
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