Once they stopped at a farm. The girl refused to dismount, bidding Max
go in and ask for a drink of milk. Max obeyed with alacrity, returning
with two foaming goblets of warm milk.
From time to time the princess stifled the "small voice." It was
wrong, and yet it wasn't. What worried her was the thought that Betty
might take it into her head to follow, and then everything would be
spoiled. Every now and then she turned her head and sighed
contentedly; the road to rearward was always clear.
"Follow me!" she cried suddenly, even daringly.
A stone wall, three feet high, ran along at their right. The
foreground was hard and firm. Pressing the reins on the filly's
withers, she made straight for the wall, cleared it, and drew up on the
other side. Now, Max hadn't the least idea that the horse under him
was a hunter, so I might very well say that he took his life in his
hands as he followed her. But Dandy knew his business. He took the
wall without effort. A warm glow went over Max when he found that he
hadn't broken his neck. Together they galloped down the field and came
back for the return jump. This, too, was made easily. Max's
admiration knew no bounds. It was a dangerous pastime in more ways
than one.
At eight o'clock they turned toward home, talking about another
thousand and one things.
"It has been a delightful ride," suggested Max, with an eye to the
future.
"I take this road nearly every morning," said she, looking out upon the
water, which was ruffling itself and quarreling along the sandy shores.
Max said nothing, but he at once made up his mind that he would take
the same road, provided he could in any reasonable manner get rid of me.
"Did you enjoy the ride?" asked the Honorable Betty, as her Highness
came in to breakfast. There were no formalities in the princess'
apartments.
"Beautifully!" Her Highness guiltily wondered if there was any logical
way to keep Betty in the house for the next few mornings. She sat down
and sipped her tea. "The duke talked to me last night. Steinbock
played double."
"What!"
"Yes. He sold us to the duke, who patiently waited for me to speak.
Betty, I am a fool. But I shall never marry Doppelkinn. That is
settled."
"I suppose he will be inviting me to return to England," said Betty
shrewdly.
"Not for the present."
"And I have just grown to love the place,"--pathetically. "Mr.
Warrington has asked me to ride with him afternoons. His ankle
prevents him from taking the long morning jaunts. If it will not
interfere with your plans, dear--"