"You are right, father. I will follow your advice."
"Of course, anything that I communicate to you in this matter must be kept secret for both our sakes. Have I your promise?"
"You have."
"Then come here."
Jasper drew near his father, and the latter spoke in a lower voice.
"You are a good rider," he said.
"Yes, I can ride as well as any one of my age in the country," said Jasper, proudly.
"Good! Gilbert Grey says he can ride also."
"I am not afraid of his rivalry."
"I am going to send him out to ride with you. You will ride your own horse; he shall ride—Bucephalus."