"I find it so, too," he said. "The influences of pure nature are the best thing I know for some moods after the company of a good horse."
"And you on his back, I suppose?"
"That was my meaning. What is the doubt thereupon?" said he, laughing.
"Did I express any doubt?"
"Or my eyes were mistaken."
"I remember they never used to be that," said Fleda.
"What was it?"
"Why," said Fleda, thinking that Mr. Carleton had probably retained more than one of his old habits, for she was answering with her old obedience "I was doubting what the influence is in that case worth analyzing, I think. I am afraid the good horse's company has little to do with it."
"What, then, do you suppose?" said he, smiling.
"Why," said Fleda "it might be but I beg your pardon, Mr.
Carleton! I am astonished at my own presumption."