‘I’m sure of it. You have a first-rate seat. It’s only your hands that want a little more education. When we have had half-a-dozen rides together you will be able to do what you like with Erebus. I would not have bought him for you if there had been an atom of vice in him. But before you ride him to hounds I’ll hunt him a day or two myself, and see how he takes his fences.’
‘Perhaps that would be best,’ said Bella. ‘Mr. Piper is so nervous about my riding. Certainly, Erebus is a most lovely creature. He must be very cheap for a hundred pounds.’
‘Well, yes,’ said the captain, smiling, ‘he may fairly be called a bargain—at that price.’
CHAPTER XVII.
VANESSA’S VISIT.
Erebus was in due course shown to Mr. Piper, who knew so little about horses as to be scarcely worthy to be called a Yorkshireman. His own particular vanity in the way of horse-flesh was a fast pony that could trot between the shafts of a light carriage for any number of hours without rest or refreshment. Anything beyond that was out of his line. He contemplated the black with a cool survey, and thought that there was very little of him for the money.
‘Isn’t he lovely?’ asked Bella, patting the creature’s sleek neck.
Erebus was of a heavenly temper in his stable. It was only when conscious of humanity on his back that he was subject to fits of waywardness.
‘Well, he aren’t bad-looking,’ assented the unenthusiastic Piper; ‘but if I’d chose a horse for you I should have picked one with more timber and a better back for the saddle. I hope he’s quiet.’
‘Oh, he’s everything that’s nice,’ answered Bella, with a fluttering of her heart at the recollection of some of Erebus’s manœuvres that morning. ‘I shall feel as easy on him as in an arm-chair—when I get used to him.’