traight, and that's a great thing. She won't go the wrong side of the
post."

"As for running straight, let me alone for that."

"Well, now, Clavvy, I'll tell you what my ideas are. When a man's trying
a young filly, his hands can't be too light. A touch too much will bring
her on her haunches, or throw her out of her step. She should hardly
feel the iron in her mouth. That's the sort of work which requires a man
to know well what he's about. But when I've got to do with a trained
mare, I always choose that she shall know that I'm there! Do you
understand me?"

"Yes; I understand you, Doodles."

"I always choose that she shall know that I'm there." And Captain
Boodle, as he repeated these manly words with a firm voice, put out his
hands as though he were handling the horse's rein. "Their mouths are
never so fine then, and they generally want to be brought up to the bit,
d'ye see?--up to the bit. When a mare has been trained to her work, and
knows what she's at in her running, she's all the better for feeling a
fellow's hands as she's going. She likes it rather. It gives her
confidence, and makes her know where she is. And look here, Clavvy, when
she comes to her fences, give her her head; but steady her first, and
make her know that you're there. Damme, whatever you do, let her know
that you're there. There's nothing like it. She'll think all the more of
the fellow that's piloting her. And look here, Clavvy; ride her with
spurs. Always ride a trained mare with spurs. Let her know that they're
on; and if she tries to get her head, give 'em her. Yes, by George, give
'em her." And Captain Boodle, in his energy, twisted himself in his
chair, and brought his heel round, so that it could be seen by Archie.
Then he produced a sharp click with his tongue, and made the peculiar
jerk with the muscle of his legs, whereby he was accustomed to evoke the
agility of his horses. After that, he looked triumphantly at his friend.
"Give 'em her, Clavvy, and she'll like you the better for it. She'll
know, then, that you mean it."

It was thus that Captain Boodle instructed his friend Archie Clavering
how to woo Lady Ongar; and Archie, as he listened to his friend's words
of wisdom, felt that he had learned a great deal. "That's the way I'll
do it, Doodles," he said, "and upon my word I'm very much obliged to
you."

"That's the way, you may depend on it. Let her know that you're
there--let her know that you're there. She's done the f