Dismounting hastily, he threw his horse's reins over one of the spikes of the adjoining railing, and sprang up to the spot where the boy was perched.
"Is that pretty child your brother?" I inquired of the beautiful girl who stood before me.
"He is," she answered; and lifting up the blushing boy, who was hiding himself behind her, she turned his reluctant glowing little face full towards me, in spite of his struggling efforts to thrust it into her lap, and then bent down to kiss his forehead, saying at the same time, "Naughty Johnny!"
"Will you come to me, Johnny?" was my next attempt at acquaintance.
"No, I won't," was the answer.
"What, not to ride this pretty black horse?"
"Yes, I will," was as resolutely pronounced; and soon the little fellow was hoisted up to my knees, and began amusing himself by vigorously pulling at my Selim's black mane.
"I am come with a message to your grandmother from Mrs.
Middleton; she is anxious to know how you like Bridman."
"I dare say grandmother likes it very much; and Mrs. Middleton is very kind."
"Do you like it?"