“I little expected such a pleasure,” said Lenorme.
“I meant to give it you, though,” said Florimel, with a merry laugh. “Bravo, Kelpie! take them with you,” she cried, looking after the still retreating horsemen. “I have got a familiar since I saw you last, Raoul,” she went on. “See if I don’t get some good for us out of him!—We’ll move gently along the road here, and by the time Liftore’s horse is spent, we shall be ready for a good gallop. I want to tell you all about it. I did not mean Liftore to be here when I sent you word, but he has been too much for me.”
Lenorme replied with a look of gratitude; and as they walked their horses along, she told him all concerning Malcolm and Kelpie.
“Liftore hates him already,” she said, “and I can hardly wonder; but you must not, for you will find him useful. He is one I can depend upon. You should have seen the look Liftore gave him when he told him he could not sit his mare! It would have been worth gold to you.”
Lenorme winced a little.
“He thinks no end of his riding,” Florimel continued; “but if it were not so improper to have secrets with another gentleman, I would tell you that he rides—just pretty well.”
Lenorme’s great brow gloomed over his eyes like the Eiger in a mist, but he said nothing yet.
“He wants to ride Kelpie, and I have told my groom to let him have her. Perhaps she’ll break his neck.”
Lenorme smiled grimly.
“You wouldn’t mind, would you, Raoul?” added Florimel, with a roguish look.