After wandering round the extensive stables, Hil called one of the grooms, and told him to put Fan and Tan in the dog-cart.
"They are a bit skittish, miss," said he, being a new hand.
"All the better," answered she. "Go and put them in."
A handsome dog-cart was wheeled out, and two beautiful dappled grey cobs harnessed to it, who by their prancing and restless antics looked like mischief. The wheeler was the more quiet of the two, but the leader seemed to prefer a more picturesque attitude than that of standing quietly on four legs, and elevating himself on his hind-legs remained pawing the air like an heraldic beast. Twice did the groom pull her into line with the wheeler, but she preferred dancing round and gazing at the driver.
"I think she has had a fair look at us now," said Hil, quietly taking up the whip. "Straighten them again, please."
The opening of the gate was not a wide one, and the boys confessed they felt a trifle nervous in their seats. But they did not know their driver. With a sharp, "Now then, let go," she gave the leader a couple of smart smacks with the lash, and he dashed forward and they passed through the gate at a hand-gallop, and were soon flying along the beautiful roads round Sydney.
The boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves. What more could heart desire than to be driven behind a pair of handsome horses, beside a pair of handsome girls!
"Will you ladies come to the theatre to-night?" asked Reg. "There is a new star just arrived from London."
"What do you say, May?"
"Delighted."