I wish to prove to you that I am the Madge of old times as far
as I can be."
"Rest assured I'm the same fellow, and ever shall be."
He had dismounted, and they were walking slowly toward the stable.
"Bless me!" cried Madge, "where am I going with no better protection
than a sunshade? I'm always a little off when a horse like that is at
hand. I say, Graydon," she added, in a wheedling tone, "mount and
put him through his paces. I can't resist the fun, no matter what the
dowagers say."
He vaulted lightly into the saddle, and the horse reared and dashed
toward the stable, but was soon pulled up. Then Graydon made him
prance, curvet, and trot, Madge looking on with parted lips, and eyes
glowing with delicious anticipation. If a close observer had been
present he might have seen that the rider, with his fine easy grace
and mastery, was, after all, the chief attraction.
She walked back to the house, thinking, "I'll have some bright hours
before the skies grow gray. Oh, kindly fate! prosper Mr. Arnault here
and in Wall Street, too, for all I care."
"Oh, Mr. Muir, teach me to ride," said Miss Wildmere, when he joined
her in the deserted parlor. "You have such a superb horse! and you sat
on him as if you were a part of him.
Pages:
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255