makes his fine mouth smart again. He'll wince
with the pain, and very likely rear straight on end; but he'll be all
on his haunches well under control, and go on much the pleasanter
during the rest of the day. Never mind how much they suffer; it's very
good for them, and they will like you all the better for it."

"That may answer very well with some," I replied, "but I should be
afraid to try the experiment too often. I am sure Brilliant would
break away altogether if I used _him_ so. And I think the very man
that minds it most would be the least likely to stand a repetition of
such treatment. No, Mrs. Lumley; I fear I must now choose between
Frank and my cousin. The latter has behaved honourably, considerately,
and kindly, and like a thorough gentleman. The former seems to think I
am to be at his beck and call, indeed, whenever he chooses. He has
never been to see me during the whole of this past week. At
Dangerfield he was as little careful of my reputation as he was of his
own limbs. Did I tell you how nearly drowned he was, crossing the
moat? How you would have laughed, you wicked, unfeeling woman, if you
had heard the splash that cold, snowy night! And then to disguise
himself like a tramp, and stop those runaway ponies at the risk of his
life, that he might speak three words to me before I went away. I will
say for him that he is afraid of nothing; but I cannot conceal from
myself which has behaved best towards _me_. And yet, Mrs. Lumley," I
concluded, rising and walking off to the window, "I would rather have
Frank for a lover than Cousin John for a husband."

"Many people would suggest there was no impossibility in your having
both; but I don't give such bad advice as that," replied Mrs. Lumley.
"However, Kate, do nothing in a hurry--that's my counsel. I grant you,
I think Master Frank a very slippery gentleman. I do know some
_curious_ stories about him; but I never tell tales out of school. In
the meantime you are, after all, only suffering from an _embarras de
richesses_; it's far better to have too many suitors than none at all.
Come, I'll take you out shopping with me till five; then we'll have
some tea, and you can go home quietly to dinner and ask Aunt Deborah's
leave to join me at the French play. I've got a capital box, and I'll
send the carriage for you. Wait half a second, whilst I put on my
bonnet."

So we went off shopping, and we had our tea, and I found no objections
from Aunt Deborah to my g