Part 7 (2/2)

This hall had been the military school; it remained as a last evidence of the demolished barracks, and the town was proud of its n.o.ble dimensions--a building worthy of the metropolis.

”How d'ye do,” said the riding-master, a slim, tall, elegant young man in check breeches and black boots. ”Come and stand by us in the middle.”

There was another tall young man, who wore drab breeches and brown gaiters on his long thin legs, and who was helping a stableman to drag the barred hurdle across the tan and put it in position against the wall.

”Now, Miss Thompson.... Steady. Steady. Let her go.”

Enid on a heavily bandaged bay mare came slowly round, advanced in a scrambling canter, and hopped over the low obstacle.

”Very good.”

She looked charming as she came round again--her usually cold pale face now warm and red, a wisp of her dark hair flying, the short habit showing her neatly booted legs.

”Very good.”

”I am lost in admiration,” said Marsden; and the strange young man stared hard at him.

”Oh, is that you, Mr. Marsden,” said Enid. ”I didn't know I had an audience.”

Then she jumped again. This time, in obedience to the directions of Mr.

Whitehouse, she rode at the hurdle much faster; the mare c.o.c.ked her ears, charged, and she and Enid sailed over the white bar in grand style.

But the thud of hoofs, the tell-tale reverberations roused the invisible Mr. Young, and brought him to the window of the private box.

”Not so fast--not nearly so fast,” shouted Mr. Young. ”There's no skill or sense in that.... Mr. Whitehouse, I can't understand you. D'you want that mare over-reaching herself?” And Mr. Young's voice, dropping in tone, still betrayed his irritation. ”Who are these gentlemen? We can't have people in the school during lessons.”

”All right,” said the young man in the brown gaiters. ”I've come to look at the new horse--the one you bought from Griffin.”

”Very good, Mr. Kenion. I didn't see who you were.... But who's the other gentleman?”

”He is a friend of mine,” said Mr. Whitehouse.

”Well, that's against our rules--visitors in lessons. You know that as well as I do.”

”I am quite aware of your rules,” said Mr. Whitehouse curtly. ”But the lesson is finished.... That will be sufficient, Miss Thompson. Three minutes over your hour--and we don't want to tire you.”

Mr. Young snorted angrily, and disappeared. The strange young man a.s.sisted Miss Enid to dismount and went out with her, the bandaged mare following them with the helper.

”Who,” asked Marsden, ”was that spindle-shanked a.s.s?”

”Oh, he's not a bad boy,” said the riding-master patronisingly. ”And he can ride, mind you--which is more than most hunting men can.”

”Is he a hunting man? What's his name?”

”Mr. Kenion.... Look here, don't hurry off. I want to have a yarn with you.”

”But Mr. Young--”

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