The horses seemed fretful and impatient. They reared and kicked, they were unruly and troublesome. The coachman looked pale and anxious.
"The horses? Nothing!" said her father. "They are quiet enough. I like to have a little spirit in my animals."
Many of the passengers in the streets looked with alarm upon the animals whom the count dreaded so little.
"Good day, Borelloni," exclaimed a gentleman on horseback; "a most beautiful day!"
"Your servant, signor," answered the count. "It is a lovely day."
"Your horses seem vicious, they are very unruly, are they not!" said the gentleman.
"O no-they are a little excited-they will presently become calm. A very great number of people are out to-day."
"Yes, a large number," replied the gentleman, looking somewhat anxiously at the horses.
After a few moments he rode away.
"Your excellency?" said the coachman to the count.