"Naturally!" exclaimed I, in sorrow; "it is better for me to be counted an old woman in comparison with Selim."
"Henryk! what art thou saying?" cried Selim, encircling my neck with his arms.
"Gallop! gallop, boy! and do your best," said my father, whose pride was touched.
"Bring the horse here!" called I to Franek, who was leading the tired steed slowly around the yard.
"Pan Henryk!" cried Hania, springing up from her seat, "then I am the cause of this trial. I do not wish it; I do not wish it. Do not do it; do not, for my sake!"
And while speaking, she looked me in the eyes, as if she wished to finish with her eyes that which she could not express in words.
Ah! for that look I would have given the last drop of my blood at that moment; but I could not and would not draw back. My offended pride was stronger just then than aught else; so I mastered myself and answered dryly,—
"Thou art mistaken, Hania, in thinking that thou art the cause. I shall clear the gate to amuse myself."
Thus speaking, in spite of the protests of all save my father, I mounted and moved forward at a walk into the alley of lindens. Franek opened the gate and closed it after me. I had bitterness in my soul, and would have gone over the gate had it been twice as high. When I had ridden about three hundred yards, I turned the horse and began at a trot, which I changed to a gallop immediately.
All at once I noticed that the saddle was moving. One of two things had happened,—either the girth had stretched during the former leap, or Franek had loosened it to let the horse breathe, and through stupidity, or perhaps forgetfulness, had not informed me.