Can you trust
yourself? she's very spirited."
"I could trust myself," said Ellen; "but, thank you, I think I
had better not."
"Afraid?"
"No, not at all; but my aunt and father would not like it."
"Nonsense! how should they dislike it? There's no sort of
danger, you know. Come! — I thought you sat wonderfully for a
beginner. I am surprised De Courcy hadn't better eyes. I guess
you have learned German before, Ellen? Come, will you?"
But Ellen declined, preferring her plodding walk round the
ring to any putting of herself forward. Presently Mr. Lindsay
came in. It was the first time he had been there. His eye soon
singled out Ellen.
"My daughter sits well," he remarked to the riding-master.
"A merveille! — Mademoiselle Lindesay does ride
remarquablement pour une beginner — qui ne fait que commencer.
Would it be possible that she has had no lessons before?"
"Why, yes, she has had lessons — of what sort I don't know,"
said Mr. Lindsay, going up to Ellen. "How do you like it,
Ellen?"
"I don't like it at all, Sir."
"I thought you were so fond of riding."
"I don't call this riding, Sir."
"Ha! what _do_ you call riding? Here, M. De Courcy, won't you
have the goodness to put this young lady on another horse, and
see if she knows anything about handling him?"
"With great pleasure!" M. De Courcy would do anything that was
requested of him.
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