But he did not turn; instead of that he now backed himself toward the stable door, pulling the horse after him.  Dora was pleased to stand and look at him; his movements struck her as athletic and graceful.  He was now so near that she felt she ought to make her presence known.  She stepped out upon the fresh straw, intending to move a little out of his way and then accost him, but he spoke first.

“Good,” he said; “don’t you want to take hold of this mare by the forelock, as I am doing, and keep her here until I get a halter?” And as he spoke he turned toward Miss Bannister.

His face was a handsome one, fully equal in quality to his height, his shoulders, and his grace of movement.  His blue eyes opened wide at the sight of the young lady in gray hat and ostrich plumes, fashionable driving costume edged with fur, for the spring air was yet cool, and bright silk parasol, for the spring sun was beginning to be warm.  With almost a stammer, he said:—­

“I beg your pardon, I thought it was my sister I heard behind me.”

“Oh, it doesn’t matter in the least,” said Dora, with a charming smile; “I am Miss Bannister.  I live in Thorbury, and I came to call on your sister.  Phoebe told me she thought she was out here, and so I came to look for her myself.  A barn is so charming to me, especially a great one like this, that I would rather make a call in it than in the house.”

“I will go and look for her,” said Ralph.  “She cannot be far away.”  And then he glanced at the horse, as if he were in doubt what to do with it at this juncture.

“Oh, let me hold your horse,” cried Dora, putting down the parasol by the side of the barn and approaching; “I mean while you go and get its halter.  I am ever so fond of horses, and like to hold them and feed them and pet them.  Is this one gentle?”

“I don’t know much about her,” said Ralph, laughing, “for we have just taken possession of the place, and are only beginning to find out what animals we own, and what they are like.  This old mare seems gentle enough, though rather obstinate.  I have just brought her in out of the fields, where she has been grazing ever since the season opened.”

“She looks like a very good horse, indeed,” said Dora, patting the tangled hair on the creature’s neck.

“I brought her in,” said Ralph, “thinking I might rub her down, and get her into proper trim for use.  My sister is much disappointed to find that out of our four horses, two are unbroken colts, and one is in constant use by the man.  I think if I can give her a drive, even if it is behind a jogging old mare, it will set up her spirits again.”

“You must let me hold her,” said Dora, “while you get the halter, and then you can tie her, while we go and look for your sister.  Don’t think of such a thing as letting her go, after all your trouble in catching her.”

“If I could get her into these stables,” said Ralph, “I might shut her in, but I don’t think that I shall be able to pull her through that doorway in this fashion.”