ot courteous--it was unfriendly; but now and then she would speak
warmly and gratefully for any kindness Hardy showed her father.

"Godseier Jensen and his family are going to Rosendal to-morrow," said
Hardy, after smoking some time in silence.

"Yes," said Karl; "the Froken Jensens want to ride Herr Hardy's
horses."

Helga had returned, and heard what Karl said.

"Froken Mathilde Jensen is a girl with a cheerful character, open and
honest, like the Danes naturally are," said Hardy.

"I think she is a great deal too forward!" said Helga, sharply.

Hardy looked at her; it was clear she meant what she said. To his view
there was nothing to condemn in Mathilde Jensen's conduct. She had
good animal spirits, was natural in manner, and affectionate to her
parents, who rather spoilt her.

The next day Hardy rode his English horse to the Jensens' Herregaard,
and Garth followed with both the Danish horses.

The Jensens were all on the doorsteps, as Hardy trotted up. The
proprietor received him warmly, and his family did the like. He walked
round Hardy's horse and admired him, as he had done on a previous
occasion.

"It is the breadth of his loins," he said, "that sends him over his
jumps. I never saw anything so fine as when he passed the other
horses, taking his leaps like nothing; and how he came in with a grand
stride, by the winning post!"

"As you breed horses, Herr Jensen," said Hardy, "you should import an
English mare of Buffalo's stamp; it would enormously improve your
breeding stud. A stallion would not do so well, and would be very
costly. It is a slower process, but a more certain one."

"Yes; but we Danes are poor," said the proprietor, "and I cannot
afford the purchase of such a mare."

"When I return to England, I will see what I can do for you," said
Hardy.

The side saddles were placed on Hardy's Danish horses, and they went
to Rosendal, the Froken Jensens enjoying the ride greatly.

Fru Jensen went through the dairy and criticized, her husband did the
same with the farm buildings, and gave Hardy useful and practical
advice, which Hardy noted down and afterwards followed.

They strolled through the beech woods, and saw the valley of roses in
its ragged and neglected condition. But the good proprietor would
insist on seeing the farm, and on this also he gave Hardy many
practical hints. They returned to the mansion and had such a lunch as
Hardy had been able to arrange, which delighted Froken Ma