t was also certain that
his wife could afford him no satisfaction in this respect.

I was naturally thrown much into Mr. Clarence's society and noticed
that he daily grew more tender to me. When shaking hands with me he
would press my hand and retain it in his, and when I wore a low-necked
dress I observed that his eyes were fixed on my white shoulders, and
that when he caught a glimpse of my bosom his face would flush and a
decided protuberance would manifest itself in his pantaloons.

Things went on in this way for two months. Then one day Mr. Clarence
asked me if I would like to go out riding with him. I had always been
fond of equestrian exercises and consented very willingly. The horses
were brought round to the door and I mounted a handsome bay pony, while
my companion rode a large gray horse which appeared but half broken.
Mr. Clarence assisted me to mount and in doing so I exposed a
considerable portion of my limbs, my petticoats getting entangled in
the saddle. When he saw my leg above the knee, for I wore no drawers, a
crimson flush suffused his face--but it was not one of shame but
desire. He recovered himself, however, almost immediately, and off we
started.

We had ridden about six or seven miles when Mr. Clarence's horse
suddenly took fright and galloped off with him. At the turn of the
road, from some cause or other, the rider was thrown off and deposited
on the green sward. Fortunately he was not injured--his horse, however,
galloped away towards Riverside Lodge.

"A pretty situation, Miss Percival," said Clarence as he rose to his
feet. "Here am I, six miles from home, and nothing left for me but to
tramp it on foot."

"Nay, Mr. Clarence, that must not be. If you do not mind, you can ride
behind me. The pony can bear us both very well, and we can proceed
slowly."

"I am afraid to discommode you, Miss Percival."

"Not at all--our ancestors, you know, used to ride pillion."

"I accept your kind offer," he returned, and springing on the pony's
back took his place behind me.

He passed one arm around my waist for the purpose of holding himself
securely in his position. We then slowly started in the direction of
the lodge. We had not advanced a mile, however, before I felt something
pressing stiffly against my bottom. My previous experience made me know
what it was and you may easily believe, dear reader, that I began to
feel a strange sensation running through me. Whether my companion
detected m