Page:My household of pets (IA myhouseholdofpet00gautiala).pdf/138

 *less explained to her in full. We must frankly own that when, in the middle of a dusky lane checkered by moonlight into fantastic lights and shadows, Blanche, usually so docile,—Blanche, who, to excite her into a gallop, needed nothing heavier than that whip of Queen Mab's which was made of cricket's bone with gossamer lash,—planted herself suddenly on her four feet as though some spectre had seized her bridle, and with unconquerable obstinacy refused to move a step forward, we could not prevent a cold chill from running down our spine. Searching the shadow with unquiet glances, we almost imagined that we could detect therein the ghastly countenance of one of Goya's "Caprices," where in reality were only innocent silhouettes of leafy birch-trees or beeches.

It was one of our great pleasures to drive these charming animals ourselves,