“That’s right—gallop away. Oh! how nice!” she exclaimed, and when after two or three canters round the lawn, which was really as much as ever Philip had breath for, he deposited her again safely on the ground, she thanked him as graciously as a little princess.
“What a pity Maddie and Ermie are too big for you to ride them too,” she said condescendingly, at which they all laughed.
“Yes,” said Lady Cheynes, smiling, but not for Ella to hear, “you can be generous enough, my little girl, when you get your own way.”
“And when she is first” added Ermine. “It is too funny, auntie, to see that sort of feeling in Ella, already. I’m sure Maddie and I weren’t like that when we were little.”
Lady Cheynes looked round, Harvey was coming up the path, the old lady made a little sign to Ermine to take care.
“I think perhaps Miss Ella has been out long enough, if you’ll excuse me, my lady,” said the maid, in her smoothest tones.
“Take her in then by all means,” said Lady Cheynes. “Ella, my dear, your nurse is waiting for you.”
Ella was playing with Phil, a few paces off.
“I won’t go in,” she said coolly.
Madelene took her by the hand.