“I don’t know—yes, I suppose so.”
“Fie!” exclaimed Hermengarde, laughing at the boy’s seriousness. “Is that the way you pay compliments to ladies? It is time we took him in hand, Gertrude, and trained him to be more polite.”
But if Gertrude had experienced any momentary chagrin, she was quick to cover it.
“I think you are unjust to the Prince, Madam,” she responded. “A compliment paid after some consideration is all the more valuable.”
“Mother,” broke in the boy, “can I go for my ride in the park now?”
“I dare say you can; but why are you in such a hurry to leave us? Perhaps Lady Gertrude is interested in horses. Ask her.”
Ernest turned to the girl as if his own interest in her had been quickened by the suggestion, and put the question in his own words—
“Are you? Do you ever ride?”
“I am very fond of horses,” answered Gertrude, with her most ingratiating smile; “and I ride whenever I can get a cavalier to escort me.”
“There is a chance for you!” cried Hermengarde to her son, pleased to see how quickly Gertrude had fallen into her new part. “You are in luck this afternoon. Quick, ask her if she will share your ride.”