"He's straight enough in other ways," he said. "Put a saddle on him and I'll take a turn."
The man hesitated a second.
"He's an awkward one to ride, my lord," he ventured.
"So I should think," said the young man, cheerfully; "but I like them awkward."
The horse was saddled and brought out, and immediately commenced to verify the character bestowed upon him.
"Ill-tempered dev—beast, I'll take him back, my lord," said the groom; but, with a laugh, Lord Blair got into the saddle, and as the horse reared brought him down in so neat a style that the groom's misgivings fled.
"All right, my lord," he said, with an approving nod.
"Yes, it's all right," said the young man, with another laugh. "He's rather hot just at present, but he'll come back like a lamb, and I shall be hot, I expect," and off he rode.
"There," said the groom to a circle of his helpers, "that's my idea of a young nobleman! There'd be some pleasure and credit in keeping a stable for him."
"What a pity he's such a bad young man," murmured a maid-servant, who had crept out to look on.