"My lady, it is as tight as the horse can well bear," he said.
"It is loose, I say," insisted the princess, with a little irritation; "the saddle feels like it. Try the other." Then turning impatiently to the persons gathered around: "Does it require all of you, standing there like gaping bumpkins, to tighten my girth? Ride on; we can manage this without so much help." Upon this broad hint everybody rode ahead while I held the horse for Brandon, who went on with his search for the loose girth. While he was looking for it Mary leaned over her horse's neck and asked: "Were you and Cavendish settling all the philosophical points now in dispute, that you found him so interesting?"
"Not all," answered Brandon, smiling.
"You were so absorbed, I supposed it could be nothing short of that."
"No," replied Brandon again. "But the girth is not loose."
"Perhaps I only imagined it," returned Mary carelessly, having lost interest in the girth.
I looked toward Jane, whose eyes were bright with a smile, and turned Brandon's horse over to him. Jane's smile gradually broadened into a laugh, and she said: "Edwin, I fear my girth is loose also."
"As the Lady Mary's was?" asked I, unable to keep a straight face any longer.
"Yes," answered Jane, with a vigorous little nod of her head, and a peal of laughter.
"Then drop back with me," I responded.