does not matter. Saddle Lady Godiva for me."

"Very good, madam. But excuse me, madam; you will remember that Lady
Godiva has not been ridden for three days; she will be very fresh."

Frau von Gropphusen smiled: "Do not be afraid. I shall be able to
manage her."

"Shall I go with you, madam?"

"No, I am going alone."

Languidly she put up her hair before the mirror. Her pale cheeks were
faintly coloured, and her lips shone moist and red. She slipped on her
riding habit and settled her hat firmly. When the hoofs of the mare
clattered on the pavement outside she was quite ready.

The maid met her at the garden gate, and was profuse in her apologies.

Frau von Gropphusen replied lightly: "All right, all right."

Lady Godiva was fidgeting about impatiently. She whinnied joyfully as
her mistress's hand stroked her delicate nostrils.

The groom helped Frau von Gropphusen to mount, and inquired if he
should tighten the curb a little.

His mistress nodded.

The mare resented not being given her head at once; but finally trotted
off with a coquettish gait that showed her fine breeding and her
graceful proportions. And the beautiful woman on her back was like a
bride going forth to meet her beloved.

Hannah Gropphusen chose the road that led to the big exercise-ground of
the regiment. Lady Godiva neighed with pleasure as she cantered along
the well-known path; the gentle ascent which she had to traverse in no
way exhausted her long-restrained impatience.

The great level quadrangle of the exercise-ground lay at a high
elevation; in the valley below the air had felt hot and stifling, but
up here a soft breeze was blowing, and with gentle caressing touch it
brushed back the golden tendrils of hair from the rider's white
forehead.

Upon the scantily growing grass of the plain Hannah Gropphusen gave the
mare her head, and the animal bore her at a light even gallop to the
far end of the ground. From thence ran a narrow cart-track, by which
their sluggish teams drew the loaded harvest-waggons down to the high
road. The track led straight on to the edge of the plain, the chalky
surface being there broken up by deep quarries. Here a strong rough
paling had been erected as a barrier, in case any stubborn horse should
prove unmanageable. This was no impediment to an unerring fencer like
Lady Godiva. She went over it easily at full stretch.

After her landing Hannah Gropphusen gave the mare a touch of the whip.
The animal