"
"With nothing else, I suppose! Ah, well, we must submit to be
stupid. How do you do today?"
"I am very tired, Miss Gordon."
"Tired! Oh, you're not used to it."
"No, it isn't that," said Ellen; "I _am_ used to it — that is
the reason I am tired. I am accustomed to ride up and down the
country at any pace I like; and it is very tiresome to walk
stupidly round and round for an hour."
"But do you know how to manage a horse? I thought you were
only just beginning to learn."
"Oh, no, I have been learning this great while; only they
don't think I know how, and they have never seen me. Are you
just come, Miss Gordon?"
"Yes, and they are bringing out Sophronisbe for me — do you
know Sophronisbe? Look, that light gray; isn't she beautiful?
she's the loveliest creature in the whole stud."
"O, I know!" said Ellen; "I saw you on her the other day; she
went charmingly. How long shall I be kept walking here, Miss
Gordon?"
"Why, I don't know; I should think they would find out. What
does De Courcy say to you?"
"O, he comes and looks at me, and says, 'Tr?s bien — tr?s
bien,' and 'Allez comme ?a,' and then he walks off."
"Well, I declare that is too bad," said Miss Gordon, laughing.
"Look here — I've got a good thought in my head: suppose you
mount Sophronisbe in my place, without saying anything to
anybody, and let them see what you are up to.
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