"Good luck to your preference! It will afford you pleasure. You have no spurs, I see; take my riding-whip. A good cut at the right moment will inspire Soliman with respect."
"Your manner to Herr Pigglewitch is odious, cousin," Lieschen interposed. Her anxiety lest the Candidate should meet with an accident increased every minute. She reproached herself for the consent she had given, which could not now be withdrawn, and her fears were confirmed by the malice in the smile with which her cousin listened to the Candidate's declaration that he should ride Soliman.
There was nothing to be done, however. Old Wenzel was leading up Soliman, keeping a sharp watch upon the spirited creature lest he should break loose from him.
"The brute is perfectly wild to-day, he would not bear even the Herr Lieutenant," the old man muttered, intentionally loud enough for Lieschen to hear, while his glance towards her seemed to say, "If any accident should happen it will be all your fault."
"I do most earnestly entreat you, Herr Pigglewitch," Lieschen exclaimed, her anxiety reaching its height, "to give up riding Soliman! Let us walk, I pray you. Do, for my sake!"
"Against such words I am defenceless," said Egon, who had approached the beautiful animal and was gently stroking its back, but who now retired.
"You're right; very wise and prudent," said the Lieutenant. "Lead Soliman up and down a little, Wenzel, you need not take off his saddle, I will ride him after a while to show Herr Pigglewitch that the horse is not so wicked after all. But you are quite right, Herr Pigglewitch, to accede to Lieschen's request. Soliman might be dangerous for a tyro in horsemanship. You shall take my Iduna here for your ride with Lieschen, she is as quiet as a lamb and will not throw you, I'll engage."
Egon bit his lip; his eyes sparkled with irritation and the colour rose to his check.
"Do you still persist in your request, Fräulein Lieschen?" he said to the girl, in a low voice. "Do you wish me to be thus derided and accused of cowardice? I will keep my word if you insist upon it, but put yourself in my place, and I think you will not desire it."
"No, I do not," Lieschen rejoined, with an angry glance at her cousin. "It will be your fault, Cousin Albrecht, if there is any accident, and I never will forgive you for it as long as I live."