Unconscious of what she was doing, the reins slackened in Jack's hands. Aware of this and with the knowledge that his stable was not far off, unexpectedly her horse broke into a swift canter.
As she felt the swing of his feet under her, the wind from the prairies sweeping across her cheeks and the fragrance of the purple clover in her nostrils, the new Mrs. Colter laughed aloud.
Instead of drawing her reins and pulling up, she touched her horse lightly with her whip and sped more swiftly ahead.
At the same instant there was a rushing and a patter of many hoofs across a nearby field.
Their manes flying, graceful and beautiful in the moonlight, their slender noses sniffing with curiosity and pleasure, half a dozen mares followed by their young colts raced close beside the rider.
Her companion followed, half amused and half protesting.
He had no fear. No one was more at home on horseback than the girl he had taught to ride so many years before. She was now his wife.
At the door of their home, Rainbow Castle, Jim lifted Jack down from her horse.
Ordinarily she would not wait for his or any one else's assistance.
To-night as her horse stopped she had a sudden feeling of oppression. She did not desire to go indoors. Often she had felt this after a long ride. All her life she had loved the outdoor world more than the four sides of a house.