ncho (an ingenious
diminutive of my Christian name) valued his horse so highly--if he were
jealous of the evident devotion of the animal to herself, he would--but
here I succumbed! And then I had the felicity of holding that little
foot for one brief moment in the hollow of my hand, of readjusting the
skirt as she threw her knee over the saddle-horn, of clasping her
tightly--only half in fear--as I surrendered the reins to her grasp.
And to tell the truth, as Enriquez and I fell back, although I had
insisted upon still keeping hold of the end of the _riata_, it was a
picture to admire. The _petite_[158-1] figure of the young girl and the
graceful folds of her skirt admirably harmonized with Chu Chu's lithe
contour, and as the mare arched her slim neck and raised her slender
head under the pressure of the reins, it was so like the lifted
velvet-capped toreador[159-1] crest of Consuelo herself, that they
seemed of one race.

"I would not that you should hold the _riata_," said Consuelo
petulantly.

I hesitated--Chu Chu looked certainly very amiable--I let go. She began
to amble towards the gate, not mincingly as before, but with a freer
and fuller stride. In spite of the incongruous saddle, the young girl's
seat was admirable. As they neared the gate, she cast a single
mischievous glance at me, jerked at the rein, and Chu Chu sprang into
the road at a rapid canter. I watched them fearfully and breathlessly,
until at the end of the lane I saw Consuelo rein in slightly, wheel
easily, and come flying back. There was no doubt about it; the horse
was under perfect control. Her second subjugation was complete and
final!

Overjoyed and bewildered, I overwhelmed them with congratulations;
Enriquez alone retaining the usual brotherly attitude of criticism and
a superior toleration of a lover's enthusiasm. I ventured to hint to
Consuelo (in what I believed was a safe whisper) that Chu Chu only
showed my own feelings towards her. "Without doubt," responded Enriquez
gravely. "She have of herself assist you to climb to the tree to pull
to yourself the berry for my sister." But I felt Consuelo's little hand
return my pressure, and I forgave and even pitied him.

From that day forward, Chu Chu and Consuelo were not only firm friends
but daily companions. In my devotion I would have presented the horse
to the young girl, but with flattering delicacy she preferred to call
it mine. "I shall erride it for you, Pancho," she said; "I sha