‘Yes, sir,’ said his ward, with her small fingers still playing among the vines; ’I suppose he will.  It is rather Mr. Rollo’s style.  But that makes it slightly awkward for me, Mr. Falkirk.’

‘In what respect, Miss Hazel?’

’Most of these other gentlemen think themselves qualified to “see to” so small a consignment as myself; and not being posted as to your scale of enchantment and danger, may feel it the reverse of a compliment to meet me riding with Mr. Rollo, on his horse.’

’Well, my dear, what do you wish me to do in the matter?  You are not obliged to go with Rollo, that I know of.  Do you wish to compliment these other small fry?’

’I want to ride, Mr. Falkirk, I believe I should go with Mr. Simms—­if he were the only chance; and that is saying a good deal.  However, I can throw all the responsibility on you, sir; that is one comfort.’

‘It won’t break me,’ said Mr. Falkirk; ’that is another.  Why do they all come for you so, this hot weather!’

But she laughed at that, and went off out of the room.

When she came down to the side entrance of Chickaree some hour or two later, she found her side-saddle going on an Arab-looking brown mare, and Rollo playing hostler.  His own horse standing by was clearly also a new comer; a light bay, nervous and fidgety, for he did not keep still one minute; ears, hoofs, eyes and head were constantly and restlessly shifting.  The brown mare stood still, only lifting her pretty head and looking as Wych Hazel came out.  She ran down the steps.

‘I got leave!’ she said, gleefully,—­’did you?’—­then stopped, surveying operations.  ’But was there nobody about the place to do that but Mr. Rollo?

The quiet negative which answered this covered more ground than the question.  Rollo finished his work carefully, with one or two looking on; mounted the little lady, and went to his own horse.  Before mounting, here, he seemed to hold some conversation with the creature; caressed him; stood in front and spoke to him, patting and stroking his head; then in another moment was on his back.

There is a great difference in people’s riding, as there is in people’s walking; and once in a while, among plenty of good average walkers and riders, there is one whom it is a pleasure to see.  This man was such a one.  He was a perfectly well-made man, and had the ease and grace in all his movements which such a build goes far to ensure; when on horseback it seemed as if he had communicated these qualities to his horse, and the two moved as one embodiment of ease and grace, with power superadded.  Stuart Nightingale on horseback was a fine gentleman, perfectly got up, and riding well, but yet a fine gentleman in the saddle.  Major Seaton rode ruggedly, if I may say so.  Mr. May was more at home in his phaeton; others were more or less stiff and uncertain.  But the attitude and action of Rollo were utter unconscious ease, whatever form of action his horse might take.  So it was now.  For a few minutes his restless animal moved in all sorts of eccentric ways; but where most men would have been a little awkward and many very miserable, his rider was simply unconcerned and seemed to be taking his pleasure.  To see such a rider is to be filled with a great sense of harmony.