As she rode beside him, she glanced now and again at the handsome face, which was grave and lined with thought, and she wondered, girllike, upon what he was musing.
Suddenly he turned to her.
"Yes, you don't need much teaching," he said, with a smile. "You ride awfully well, as it is. With a little practice—you won't forget about holding the reins a little farther; from you?—you will ride like Lady Lucille herself."
"Who is Lady Lucille?" she asked.
He looked just a shade embarrassed for a moment, but only for a moment.
"Oh, she's the crack fashionable rider," he said casually.
"I feel very much flattered," said Nell. "And I am very grateful for your lesson. I hope you won't discontinue them because I show some promise."
He looked at her with sudden gravity. Now was the time to tell her that he was going to leave Shorne Mills.
"You won't want many more," he said; "but I hope you will let me ride with you while I'm here. I must be going presently."
"Must you?" she said.