Frances not ride! For a moment Amy felt glad, then sorry. Would they think she had come purposely to prevent a tête-à-tête?
"I did not know Miss Strickland was not to be of the party," said Amy, as her husband lifted her to the saddle.
"Nor I," he replied.
"You are not sorry I am going with you, Robert?"
He looked at her in surprise. "Sorry, Amy?"
"I mean; that is, I thought yesterday that perhaps you would like me to go."
"Of course, not only yesterday, but to-day and every day," and then he mounted, and went on with Mrs. Linchmore.
So the ride did not begin very auspiciously.
Amy was a good rider, a graceful and fearless one, although perhaps not such a dashing horse-woman as Frances, and her husband looked at her with pride and pleasure as she cantered along on her spirited horse at his side. The exercise soon brought a glow to her cheeks, and a bright light to her eyes, while she laughed and chatted so joyously that Robert thought he had never seen her look so lovely, and forgot the dark lady at his side and riveted his attention on his wife.
"Take care, Amy," said he, as her horse gave a sudden start, "tighten the curb a little more."