iery temper rendered all those in whom the
bump of caution was properly developed remarkably shy of him) as easily
as if he formed part of the animal. As he checked his impatient steed,
and taking off his hat, bowed to Fanny, his eyes sparkling, and his
whole countenance beaming with pleasure and excitement, he really looked
quite handsome. The same idea seemed to strike Fanny, who whispered
to me, "If ever your friend has his picture taken, it should be on
horseback".

"Good-morning, Miss Fairlegh!" cried Lawless, as flinging the rein to a
groom, he sprang from the saddle, and bounded towards us; "glad to see
you in what I consider the most becoming dress a lady can wear--very
becoming it is too," he added, with a slight bend of the head to mark
the compliment. "What did I hear you say about not riding to Eversley?
You never can be so cruel as to deny me the pleasure of your company,
and I must go there to join the meet. I would not have hunted to-day,
though, if I had known you wished to ride in another direction."

"It was only that Fanny was afraid the hounds might frighten her horse,"
replied I.

"Oh, not the least danger; I'll take care of all that," returned
Lawless; "the little white mare is as gentle as ~333~~ a lamb: I
cantered her across the park myself yesterday on purpose to try--the
sweetest thing for a lady I ever set eyes on. You have got some good
cattle in your stables, Harry, I must own that."

"Hadn't we better think of mounting? Time will not stand still for us,"
observed I.

"Let me assist you, Fanny," said Oaklands, advancing towards her.

"Thank you," replied Fanny, drawing back: "but I need not give you the
trouble; Frank will help me."

"Here, get out of the way!" cried Lawless, as I hesitated, fancying
from the shade on Oaklands' brow that he might not like to be interfered
with; "I see none of you know how to help a lady properly. Bring up that
mare," he continued, "closer--that's it; stand before her head. Now,
Miss Fairlegh, take a firm hold of the pummel; place your foot in my
hand--are you ready?--spring! there we are--famously done! Oh, you
know what you are about, I see. Let me give you the rein--between the
fingers; yes--the snaffle will manage her best; the curb may hang loose,
and only use it if it is necessary; let the groom stand by her till I am
mounted; the black horse is rather fidgety; soh! boy, soh! quiet!--stand
you brute!--there's a good boy; steady, steady--off we g