as simply unconcerned and seemed to be
taking his pleasure. To see such a rider is to be filled with
a great sense of harmony.

What a ride they had then, when the hill was descended and the
gates of Chickaree left behind! The road for some miles was
known to Wych Hazel; then they branched off into another where
all was new. The qualities of the brown mare had been coming
to her rider's knowledge by degrees; a beautiful mouth,
excellent paces, thorough training; knowing her business and
doing it. As they entered upon a long smooth stretch of road
without anybody in sight, Rollo proposed a run; and they had
it; and it was upon drawing bridle after this that he asked a
question.

'How do you like her?'

Now Miss Kennedy, in defiance of all-known laws, had never
been so smitten with the regulation beaver upon a man's head,
as to place it on her own. So instead of its stiff proportions
she wore a little round straw hat; utterly comfortable,
utterly graceful, and drooping down over her eyes a la Marie
Stuart, so as to keep those wayward things in deep seclusion
when she chose. Just now, however, she turned them full on her
companion, answering:

'O _very_ much!--I suspect she has only one fault.'

'What in the world is that? Have you discovered already what I
have sought for in vain?

'It is the reverse of my speciality,' said Wych Hazel--'so
perhaps that makes me sharpsighted. I am afraid she always
behaves well.'

'She knows her business,' said Rollo. 'I think what you want
her to do, she will do. Pardon me; do you wish her--it is
rather paradoxical--to _thwart_ you wishes!'

'No,' said the girl, laughing a little,--'I put it somewhat
differently: perhaps I might like, just occasionally, to
thwart hers!'

'She'll be an extraordinary animal if she does not some time
or other give you a chance. Now do you know what you are
coming to?'

The scenery was changing, had changed. The level, open road
they had been clearing on the gallop, had gradually drawn
within high banks, which as they went on grew higher and
broken, till the country assumed the character of a glen or
deep valley. Opening a little here and there, this valley
shewed ahead of them now a succession of high, long, dingy
buildings; and a large, rapid stream of water was seen to run
under the opposite bank. It had not been visible until now; so
it probably turned off near this point into an easier channel
than the course of their road would have a