She was asking herself if he would betray her to her aunt, if he would accuse her then and there of that “lark” which she shuddered to remember now; but apparently he meant to put it off to some more convenient season, for presently he said good-night and went away without alluding to the subject. Molly drew a sigh of relief as he left, but his blue eyes and his wondrous music haunted her perturbed dreams that night.
CHAPTER VIII.
Next morning she said to Mrs. Barry:
“Aunt Thalia, I think I should enjoy my visit much more if I might ride horseback.”
“Can you ride?” looking up from her breakfast of fried chicken and hot rolls.
“I have been on a horse’s back only once, but I can easily learn if you will let me have a horse,” Molly answered, confidently, and a sudden light broke over Mrs. Barry’s face.
“The very thing,” she exclaimed. “I’m glad you thought of it. Cecil Laurens shall teach you.”
“Oh, no, no,” Molly cried, in consternation. “I won’t ride with him. I’ll go alone.”
“But Cecil will be perfectly willing, child, and he is a splendid equestrian.”
“But I hate him—I mean I don’t like men,” exclaimed the girl, flushing under Mrs. Barry’s gorgon stare.