necessary just then to throw some slight into my greeting she not perhaps was flattered by my preference and begged me to give her a little instruction in riding which � heaven forgive me for it � i took upon myself to do even now i scarcely see how i could have acted otherwise i could not leave her side until had exhausted the pleasures of with his grey friend and the time had to be filled up somehow but oh the torture of seeing at a distance and knowing that only a miserable misunderstanding between our respective kept us apart feeling constrained even to avoid looking in her direction lest she should summon me to her side the horse one day as i was riding with miss she glanced at me over her sharp right shoulder and said do you know only such a uttle while ago i never even dreamed that we should ever become as intimate as we are now it seems almost incredible does it not you must not say so i replied surely there is nothing singular in my helping you a little with your riding though it struck me that it would have been very singular if i had perhaps not singular she murmured looking modestly down her nose but will you think me very if i confess that to me those lessons have developed a dawning danger you are perfectly safe on the grey i said i � i was not thinking of the grey she ned dear mr i must speak a girl has so many things to consider and i am afraid you have made me forget how and i have been of late i cannot help suspecting that you must have some motive in seeking my society in so � so marked a manner miss said i i can disguise nothing i have and you have not been merely amusing yourself all this time before heaven i cried with i have you are not one of those false men who give their the horse bridle reins a shake and ride off with adieu for � tell me you are not i might shake my bridle reins till i was tired and nothing would come of it unless was in the humour to depart so that i was able to assure her with truth that i was not at all that kind of person then why not let your heart speak there is such a thing i said gloomily as a heart that is can no word no hint of mine the she wished to know what you are silent still then mr though i may seem harsh and cruel in saying it our pleasant intercourse must end � we must ride together no more no what would say to that i was miss i said in great agitation i entreat you to those words i � i am afraid i could not undertake to accept such a dismissal surely after that you will not insist she sighed i am a weak foolish girl she said you are only too able to overcome my judgment there mr look happy again � i you may stay if you will you must believe that i felt thoroughly ashamed of myself for i could not be blind to the encouragement which though i sought to confine my words to strict truth i was innocently affording but with a horse like mine what was a man to do what would you have done yourself as soon as was prudent i the a hinted to that his confidences had lasted long enough and as he trotted away with me he remarked � i thought you were never going was he weary of the grey my heart leaped i said thickly are you strong enough to bear a great joy speak out he said and do try to keep those heels out of my ribs i cannot see you suffer i told him with a sense of my own all the time i must tell you � circumstances have come to my knowledge which lead me to believe that we have both judged wild rose too hastily i am sure that her heart is yours still she is only longing to tell you that she has never really from her it is too late now he said and the back of his head looked obstinate we have kept asunder too long no i said listen i take more interest in you than you are perhaps aware of and i have thought of a little plan for bringing you together again what if i find an opportunity to see the lady she belongs to � we h ve not met lately as you know and i do not pretend that i desire a renewal of our intimacy you like the one on the grey best i saw that long ago he said and i left him in his error in any case for your sake i will sacrifice myself i said i will begin to morrow the talking horse come you will not let your lives be wrecked by a foolish lovers quarrel he made a little half hearted opposition but finally as i knew he would consented i had gained my point i was free from miss at last that evening i met in the hall of a house in square she was going downstairs as i was making my way to the ball room and greeted me with a rather cool uttle nod you have quite deserted me lately she said smiling but i could read the reproach in her eyes you never ride with us now my throat was swelling with passionate eloquence � and i could not get any of it out no i never do was all my stupid tongue could find to say you have discovered a more congenial companion said cruel miss i said eagerly you don t know how i 