much from the dealer.  She came to us snappish and suspicious, but when she found what sort of place ours was, it all went off by degrees; for three years I have never seen the smallest sign of temper, and if she is well treated there is not a better, more willing animal than she is.  But she has naturally a more irritable constitution than the black horse; flies tease her more; anything wrong in her harness frets her more; and if she were ill-used or unfairly treated she would not be unlikely to give tit for tat.  You know that many high-mettled horses will do so.”

[Illustration]

“Of course,” said York, “I quite understand; but you know it is not easy in stables like these to have all the grooms just what they should be.  I do my best, and there I must leave it.  I’ll remember what you have said about the mare.”  They were going out of the stable, when John stopped, and said, “I had better mention that we have never used the check-rein with either of them; the black horse never had one on, and the dealer said it was the gag-bit that spoiled the other’s temper.”

“Well,” said York, “if they come here, they must wear the check-rein.  I prefer a loose rein myself, and his lordship is always very reasonable about horses; but my lady—­that’s another thing; she will have style, and if her carriage horses are not reined up tight she wouldn’t look at them.  I always stand out against the gag-bit, and shall do so, but it must be tight up when my lady rides!”

“I am sorry for it,” said John; “but I must go now, or I shall lose the train.”

He came round to each of us to pat and speak to us for the last time; his voice sounded very sad.  I held my face close to him; that was all I could do to say good-bye; and then he was gone, and I have never seen him since.

The next day Lord W——­ came to look at us; he seemed pleased with our appearance.  “I have great confidence in these horses,” he said, “from the character my friend Gordon has given me of them.  Of course they are not a match in color, but my idea is that they will do very well for the carriage while we are in the country.  Before we go to London I must try to match Baron; the black horse, I believe, is perfect for riding.”

York then told him what John had said about us.

“Well,” said he, “you must keep an eye to the mare, and put the check-rein easy; I dare say they will do very well with a little humoring at first.  I’ll mention it to your lady.”

In the afternoon we were harnessed and put in the carriage and led round to the front of the house.  It was all very grand, and three times as large as the old house at Birtwick, but not half so pleasant, if a horse may have an opinion.  Two footmen were standing ready, dressed in drab livery, with scarlet breeches and white stockings.  Presently we heard the rustling sound of silk as my lady came down the flight of stone steps.  She stepped round to look