He laughed at this flash, and took instant tribute of the lips whose sauciness tempted him.
"Do you wonder," he said softly, "that I want to have my tassel-gentle on my hand?"
Eleanor coloured again, and was wisely silent.
"I am afraid you are not ambitious, Eleanor."
"Is that such a favourite vice, that you wish I were?"
"Vice! It is a virtue, say rather; but not for a woman," he added in a different tone. "No, I do not wish you any more of it, Nellie, than a little education will give."
"You are mistaken, though, Macintosh. I am very ambitious," Eleanor said gravely.
"Pray in what line? Of being able to govern Tippoo without my help?"
"Is it Tippoo that I am to ride to-day?"
"Yes. I will give you a lesson. What line does your ambition take, darling?"