COUNTESS. Your morning ride, Frederica, was full of romance—the hose of your groom, you say, took fright—
FREDERICA. Yes, dear mother, and darted off at a racing pace; my own also became unmanageable, and I lost my presence of mind. I should have been thrown, if not killed, had not a gentleman rushed to my assistance.
COUNTESS.
Who was he?
FREDERICA.
I do not know.
COUNTESS.
Was he alone?
FREDERICA.
There was an elderly person with him, who seemed to be a foreigner.
COUNTESS.
But HE was young, of course?
FREDERICA.
Yes, mother, and handsome as an Adonis.
COUNTESS. You have not fallen in love with this stranger, surely? You are not old enough, and this is only your first season, Frederica.
FREDERICA.
Love has all seasons for his own, dear mother. Listen!