“Madge,” said Graydon, earnestly, “I should never forgive myself if any harm came to you.  That horse is not fit for you to ride.”

“Good people, see here,” said Madge, turning upon them; “I am not a reckless child, nor am I making a rash experiment.  Even if I did not fear broken bones, do you think I would give you needless anxiety?  Graydon has kindly obtained for me a fine horse, and I must make a beginning to show you and him that I can ride.  If Mr. and Mrs. Wayland were here they would laugh at you.  Don’t come out to see me off, Mary.  Others would follow, and I don’t want to be conspicuous.  I do wish people would mind their own business.”

“No danger of my coming out.  I don’t want to see you break your neck,” cried Mary, re-entering her room.

“You must let me go, Madge,” said Mr. Muir, firmly.  “I may have to interpose my authority.”

“Yes, do come, for Heaven’s sake!” said Graydon.

“Very well,” laughed Madge.  “If I once get on, you and the horse may both find it hard to get me off.  Where are the horses?” she asked, upon reaching the door.

“You must yield one point and mount near the stable,” said Graydon, resolutely.

“Oh, certainly, I’ll yield everything except my ride.”

Madge’s horse stood pawing the ground, showing how obdurate and untamable was his spirit.  She exclaimed at the beauty of the saddle and its housings, and said, “Thank you, Graydon,” so charmingly that he anathematized himself for giving her a brute instead of a horse.  “I should have satisfied myself better about him,” he thought, “and have looked further.”

In a moment she had the animal by the head, and was patting his neck, while he turned an eye of fire down upon her, and showed no relenting in his chafed and excited mood.  Graydon meanwhile examined everything carefully, and saw that the bridle had a powerful curb.

“Well,” said he, ruefully, “if you will, you will.”

“Yes; in no other way can I satisfy you,” was her quiet reply.

“Let us get away, then; spectators are gathering.  You should be able to hold him with this rein.  Come.”

She put her foot in his hand, and was mounted in a second, the reins well in hand.  The horse reared, but a sharp downward pull to the right brought him to his feet again.  Then he plunged and kicked, but she sat as if a part of him, meanwhile speaking to him in firm, gentle tones.  His next unexpected freak was to run backward in a way that sent the neighboring group flying.  Instantly Madge gave him a stinging blow over the hind quarters, and he fairly sprang into the air.