“Your horse goes better now,” she said at last to break the silence.

“Does it?” he said.

“You don’t know!”

“Madame, I know nothing of horses or riding. I have not been on a horse for twenty-three years.”

She was amazed.

“We ought to go back then,” she exclaimed.

“Why? Other men ride—I will ride. I do it badly. Forgive me.”

“Forgive you!” she said. “I admire your pluck. But why have you never ridden all these years?”

After a pause he answered:

“I—I did not—I had not the opportunity.”