Page:Lesbia Newman - Dalton - 1889.djvu/83

 wouldn’t hesitate to do it. Why did you choose a white horse for me?’

‘For the reason you state, Lesbie. When one is setting a new fashion, it is an object to be conspicuous.’

‘But one ought to ride better than I do before coming forward in such a character.’

‘I don’t see that; you ride quite well enough; there’s a deal of luck in hunting. Don’t let your mare blow herself, and don’t follow anyone in particular; choose your own place at the fences; you'll be quite as safe, and do yourself more credit.’

‘I'll do my best, but I feel a little nervous,’ she said.

‘So do I,’ added Miss Blemmyketts. ‘Not a little; I’m all in a twitter.’

‘Others here feel nervous too, depend upon it,’ said Mr Bristley, ‘those who really mean riding to the hounds.’

The two young girls now threw off their over garments, got out of the carriage, and mounted astride in public. This did not, however, attract very much attention, until Lady Humnoddie, who could not resist the temptation to quiz, called out to them, standing up in her barouche,—

‘Here, reformers! come and show yourselves this way. I want to examine you.’

After this it ran rapidly through the meet that the two neat little riders in dark costumes were young ladies mounted astride; and now numbers of people rode near and past them, scrutinising as closely as good manners would permit, some making remarks as they moved off which were just audible to the girls’ quick ears, such as ‘New idea that; what do you think of it?’ ‘Not bad; I wonder it’s not been done before.’ ‘I say, here’s the nineteenth century come out strong at its close!’ ‘Ah, never saw that before; very neat though, I will say.’ ‘Just look; there’s that eccentric parson Bristley brought out some girls astride!’ ‘H’m;