"I see," she said aloud, laughing to herself. "I am not your master, and

you rebel. Nevertheless, I'll conquer you, my fine brute."

Seating herself in the grass, she began to pull daisies, singing idly

the while, as if unconscious of the spirited prancings of the horse.

Presently he drew nearer, sniffing curiously and eyeing her with

surprise. She took no notice, but plaited the daisies and sang on as if

he was not there. This seemed to pique the petted creature, for, slowly

approaching, he came at length so close that he could smell her little

foot and nibble at her dress. Then she offered the clover, uttering

caressing words and making soothing sounds, till by degrees and with

much coquetting, the horse permitted her to stroke his glossy neck and

smooth his mane.

It was a pretty sight--the slender figure in the grass, the

high-spirited horse bending his proud head to her hand. Edward Coventry,

who had watched the scene, found it impossible to restrain himself any

longer and, leaping the wall, came to join the group, saying, with

mingled admiration and wonder in countenance and voice, "Good morning,

Miss Muir. If I had not seen your skill and courage proved before my

eyes, I should be alarmed for your safety. Hector is a wild, wayward

beast, and has damaged more than one groom who tried to conquer him."

"Good morning, Mr. Coventry. Don't tell tales of this noble creature,

who has not deceived my faith in him. Your grooms did not know how to

win his heart, and so subdue his spirit without breaking it."

Miss Muir rose as she spoke, and stood with her hand on Hector's neck

while he ate the grass which she had gathered in the skirt of her dress.

"You have the secret, and Hector is your subject now, though heretofore

he has rejected all friends but his master. Will you give him his

morning feast? I always bring him bread and play with him before

breakfast."

"Then you are not jealous?" And she looked up at him with eyes so bright

and beautiful in expression that the young man wondered he had not

observed them before.

"Not I. Pet him as much as you will; it will do him good. He is a

solitary fellow, for he scorns his own kind and lives alone, like his

master," he added, half to himself.

"Alone, with such a happy home, Mr. Coventry?" And a softly

compassionate glance stole from the bright eyes.

"That was an ungrateful speech, and I retract it for Bella's sake.

Younger sons have no position but such as they can make for themselves,

you know, and I've had no chance yet."

"Younger sons! I thought--I beg pardon." And Miss Muir paused, as if

remembering that she had no right to question.




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