At nine o'clock he led Jane and Dick out to the porte-cochere and waited. He had not long to loiter, for she came out at once, drawing on her gauntlets and taking in long breaths of the morning air. She nodded briefly, but pleasantly, and came down the steps. Her riding-habit was of the conventional black, and her small, shapely boots were of patent-leather. She wore no hat on her glorious head, which showed her good sense and her scorn for freckles and sunburn. But nature had given her one of those rare complexions upon which the sun and the wind have but trifling effect.
"We shall ride north, James; the roads are better and freer. Jane has a horror of cars."
"Yes, Miss Annesley,"—deferentially. "You will have to teach me the lay of the land hereabouts, as I am rather green."
"I'll see to it that you are made perfectly familiar with the roads.
You do not know Washington very well, then?"
"No, Miss. Shall I give you a—er—boot up?" He blushed. He had almost said "leg up".
She assented, and raised her boot, under which he placed his palm, and sprang into the saddle. He mounted in his turn and waited.
"When we ride alone, James, I shall not object to your riding at my side; but when I have guests, always remember to keep five yards to the rear."
"Yes, Miss." If he could have got rid of the idea of Karloff and the possibilities which his name suggested, all this would have appealed to him as exceedingly funny.
"Forward, then!"—and she touched Jane's flank with her crop.
The weather was perfect for riding: no sun, a keen breeze from the northwest, and a dust-settled road. Warburton confessed to me afterward that this first ride with her was one of the most splendid he had ever ridden. Both animals were perfect saddle-horses, such as are to be found only in the South. They started up the road at a brisk trot, and later broke into a canter which lasted fully a mile. How beautiful she was, when at length they slowed down into a walk! Her cheeks were flaming, her eyes dancing and full of luster, her hair was tumbled about and tendrils fluttered down her cheeks. She was Diana: only he hoped that she was not inclined to celibacy.