"How else?" said Beppo. "It is a pastime her ladyship has always been very fond of, even as a child. In those days," not without an accent of self-importance, "it was my privilege—"
"Do they ride far?" interrupted Nanette with ill-suppressed eagerness.
"To the old Monastery St. Ranulphe; an imposing ruin of tenth century architecture, my dear," he added pompously.
"And where is it?"
"Off the Paris highway, some ten miles from the Mount."
"Ten miles? And the country is beautiful? Not open; sandy, like the shore?"
"It partakes of a rugged grandeur."
"With forests around?" quickly.
"Yes," indulgently. "You like forests, Mistress Nanette?"
"When they are thick and wild—"