‘Well, then, I suppose she must ride,’ exclaimed Mr. Piper, with an air of resignation. ‘If she has set her heart upon it she’ll do it, cost what it may. Yes, at the risk of breaking her neck, and an old fool’s heart into the bargain. There never was such a girl for having her own way. Look at her, Namby! Wouldn’t you think she was the softest bit of pink and white womanhood that ever mother Nature moulded, a gentle little puss that would sit on your lap, and purr with good temper and contentment, a lump of softness and affection that never knew what it was to have a will of her own? That’s what I thought before I married her. But I know better now. She’s as hard as nails, and when she wants anything she’ll have it, if it was to cost you your fortune.’
‘I don’t think I am asking for anything very dreadful,’ said Bella. ‘A horse which may cost you a hundred pounds——’
‘Oh, hang it!’ cried Piper. ‘We’ve horses enough. If you must ride you can ride one of the carriage horses.’
‘A creature nearly seventeen hands high,’ exclaimed Bella, contemptuously. ‘I don’t want to ride a camel. Pray say no more about it. It is Mr. Namby’s idea that I ought to ride, not mine.’
‘Does she really want it?’ asked the bewildered Piper, appealing to the surgeon.
‘I think it might give her tone. There is a decided want of tone at present.’
‘There was no want of tone when she used to come every morning to teach my children. She used to look as fresh as a newly opened rose.’
‘She had not the cares of a large household upon her shoulders in those days,’ suggested Mr. Namby.
‘The household doesn’t trouble her. She isn’t like poor Moggie, who fretted herself to fiddle-strings about sixpences. She’s a born lady, is the duchess yonder. She sits in an easy chair and reads novels, and lets the household take care of itself. If poor Moggie could rise from the grave and take a peep at our servants’ hall——well, it’s a comfort she can’t, for I’m sure she’d never go back again.’
‘Pray say no more,’ said Bella, getting up and going towards the door. ‘You have said more than enough already. I would not let you buy me a horse now if you were to go down on your knees to beg me.’