ace has not been a fair one," said Hardy; "my horse has been
specially trained for this sort of work, the horses I rode against
have not, I therefore wish the cup given to the second horse."

The Danish officers pressed Hardy to take the cup, but Hardy was firm.
They spoke to him in that manly way habitual with Danish gentlemen,
and Hardy liked them. They went up to Buffalo, which Robert Garth was
leading up and down to cool; and Hardy induced one of the officers to
try Buffalo at one of the small fences erected for the hurdle race;
and when he came back, the Danish cavalry officer said, "Why, you
could have ridden away from us from the first!"

"No doubt," said Hardy.

"And you did not, because you did not wish to let the race appear a
hollow one," said the officer, "and it would disappoint so many."

"I only entered my horse for the race," said Hardy, "under great
pressure, not until I saw I should give offence to Godseier Jensen and
many others who have been kind to me. They wanted to see my horse
race. I intended to have let my servant ride, but when I heard I
should have to ride against Danish gentlemen, I rode myself."

"What a charger he would make!" said one of the cavalry officers.

"He is too light in bone," said Hardy. "I am an officer in the
yeomanry cavalry of my country, and use a bigger framed horse as a
charger."

"We will take the cup because it is your wish, Herr Hardy," said the
officer, "but you must come and dine with some of us to-morrow, and
bring your horse, and let the other men of our regiment see it. We are
much obliged to you. You have taught us what we have heard of, and
that is a hunting-seat. Cavalry men cannot go well across country,
riding, as we do, with a cavalry seat. We dine at three. Ask for Baron
Jarlsberg."

Hardy accepted, and went up to the grand stand where Fru Jensen and
her daughters were and Froken Helga Lindal. He had changed his clothes
for a black morning coat and tweed trousers. The last race was being
ran.

"Herr Jensen has sent me to see you to your carriage, Fru Jensen,"
said Hardy; "he is much occupied with his duties of honorary
secretary, and settling the usual disputes that arise."

"And was that you with a blue handkerchief round your head and nothing
on but a flannel shirt?" asked Fru Jensen.

"Yes," said Hardy; "but I had other garments on than a flannel shirt."

"Of course," said Fru Jensen, "of course; but if I were your mother, I
should be afr