She looked round with the triumphant smile of a successful unraveller of mystery.
"How about Le Five O'Clock?" interposed Sir Lulworth.
"It would fit either of them equally well," said Odo; "can you remember any details about the jockey's colours? That might help us."
"I seem to remember a glimpse of lemon sleeves or cap, but I can't be sure," said Lola, after due reflection.
"There isn't a lemon jacket or cap in the race," said Bertie, referring to a list of starters and jockeys; "can't you remember anything about the appearance of the horse? If it were a thick-set animal, this bread and butter would typify Nursery Tea; and if it were thin, of course, it would mean Le Five O'Clock."
"That seems sound enough," said Mrs. de Claux; "do think, Lola dear, whether the horse in your dream was thin or stoutly built."
"I can't remember that it was one or the other," said Lola; "one wouldn't notice such a detail in the excitement of a finish."
"But this was a symbolic animal," said Sir Lulworth; "if it were to typify thick or thin bread and butter surely it ought to have been either as bulky and tubby as a shire cart-horse; or as thin as a heraldic leopard."
"I'm afraid you are rather a careless dreamer," said Bertie resentfully.
"Of course, at the moment of dreaming I thought I was witnessing a real race, not the portent of one," said Lola; "otherwise I should have particularly noticed all helpful details."
"The Derby isn't run till to-morrow," said Mrs. de Claux; "do you think you are likely to have the same dream again to-night? If so; you can fix your attention on the important detail of the animal's appearance."
"I'm afraid I shan't sleep at all to-night," said Lola pathetically; "every fifth night I suffer from insomnia, and it's due to-night."
"It's most provoking," said Bertie; "of course, we can back both horses, but it would be much more satisfactory to have all our money on the winner. Can't you take a sleeping-draught, or something?"
"Oakleaves, soaked in warm water and put under the bed, are recommended by some," said Mrs. de Claux.
"A glass of Benedictine, with a drop of eau-de-Cologne--" said Sir Lulworth.
"I have tried every known remedy," said Lola, with dignity; "I've been a martyr to insomnia for years."