iabolical
_pleasure_ in it. Frank Lovell occupied the seat behind me: at another
time I might have been gratified at his near neighbourhood, and
annoyed to think he should have been paying so long a visit to
Scamperley. I was startled to find how little I cared. He leaned over
and whispered to me occasionally, and seemed pleased with the marked
encouragement I gave him. After all, I could not help liking Frank
very much; and was not my cousin at the back of the coach, to witness
all that took place? But Sir Guy would not allow me to be
"monopolized," as he called it.

"You've lost your roses sadly in London, Miss Coventry," said he,
poking his odious face almost under my bonnet, and double-thonging the
off-wheeler most unmercifully. "Never mind; I think a woman looks best
when she is pale. Egad, you've more colour now, though. Don't be
angry, it's only my way; you know I'm your slave."

"Sir Guy don't _mean_ to be rude," whispered Frank, for I confess I
was beginning to get indignant; and the Baronet went on,--

"Do you remember our picnic at Richmond, Miss Coventry, and my promise
that if ever you honoured me by taking a place on my coach you should
_drive_? Take hold of 'em now, there's a good girl; you ought to know
something about the ribbons, and the next four miles is quite
straight, and a dead flat."

I was in that state of mind that I should not have had the least
scruple in upsetting the coach and risking the lives of all upon it,
my own included; but I know not what imp of evil prompted me to turn
round and call to my cousin at the back,--

"John, do you think I could drive four horses?"

"Pray don't," whispered Frank Lovell, who seemed to disapprove of the
whole proceeding; but I did not heed him, for my cousin never answered
till I asked him again.

"Do as you like, Kate," was his reply, "only I shouldn't advise you to
try;" but he looked very grave, and seriously hurt and annoyed.

This was enough for me. I laughed aloud. I was determined to provoke
him, and I changed places with Sir Guy. He showed me how to part and
hold the reins; he lectured me on the art of putting horses together;
he got into a state of high good-humour, and smiled, and swore, and
patronized me, and had the effrontery to call me a "d--d fine girl,"
and I never boxed his ears, though I confess to having been once or
twice sorely tempted. In short, I flirted with him shamefully, and
even Frank got grave and out of sorts. At las