t I wanted to
Gaines, and he found fur and everything. 'Wings' was bought in an auction
last month. He went cheap, because they never could teach him the correct
'racking' action. Papa advised me to have him, as he thought he would
carry me in the summer, and I have no other horse."

"I'll tell you what, Cecil; we must extend our wings if we are to be in
time. Canter him across the common, there's a capital track."

"Can't he go!" said she, exultingly, as on a hard, frozen surface they
sped along. "We rush through the air so silently that if it were not for
the bells one might fancy oneself flying."

"Yes," said Bertie; "I have known more unpleasant sensations than being
driven ten miles an hour by a fair lady--a dark one, I should say."

"Given the lady. I don't think you much care whom it may chance to be,
Bertie."

"If a woman is pretty, to me it's no matter
Be she blonde or brunette, so she let me look at her."

"Were you thinking of those lines in 'Lucille'?"

"Them's your sentiments to a T, I should say."

"And you ought to have lived in the days when the knight had 'Une seule'
embroidered on his banner. I'll never believe that his loves were so
limited; doubtless each appropriated the invidious distinction to
herself."

"I know one knight," said Cecil, "who would give them plenty of reason to
do so."

"Fancy," continued Bertie "riding in full armour to a crossroad, and
challenging every one to single combat who declined to acknowledge his
particular fair to be queen of love and beauty, and that no one else
should hold a candle to her! Now we should think it great impertinence in
a fellow to offer his opinion about her at all."

"No," laughed Cecil, "such public proclamation would never suit these
inconsistent days."

"Can you not believe yourself 'Une seule,' Cecil, even in these days?"
returned he, meaningly and tenderly.

"That would depend on my knight," said she, blushing, and uncertain how
to take it. "I should not care to live in a Fool's Paradise."

"If it were Paradise, why analyze the wisdom of it?" said Bertie, gazing
with surprised admiration at her radiant face, that kindled as with some
hidden fire.

"I could do without him," answered she, "but if he were worth caring for
I wouldn't share him with any one."

"I hope Fane isn't 'Un seul,' Cecil. For a young lady with such severe
ideas of constancy, you were pretty thick at the sleighing-party."

There was something in this s