Volume V Part 70 (1/2)

As the est of all, looked sad and a little sulky I asked her the reason, and with a little pout that became her childish face admirably, she replied,--

”Because I can ride on horseback as well as ood,” said I, ”then you shall ride the day after to- of Hippolyta's skill, I asked her where she had learnt to ride

She sihed, and she said,--

”Why, because I never learnt anywhere; e and some natural skill”

”And has your sister learnt?”

”No,” said Gabrielle, ”but I can ride just as well”

I could scarcely believe it, for Hippolyta had see skewed the ut that her sister would vie with her, I said that I would take theether, and the very idea made them both jump with joy

Gabrielle was only fifteen, and her shape, though not fully developed, ell marked, and promised a perfect beauty by the tirace and simplicity, she said she would like to come withwhether the scheme had been concerted between her and her other sisters

As soon as ere alone, she told me that she had never had a lover, and she allowed me to assure myself of the fact with the same child-like simplicity Gabrielle was like all the others; I would have chosen her if I had been obliged to make the choice She made me feel sorry for her sake, to hear that the ave her her fee of twenty guineas and a handso as a etting ready our habits for the ride of the day following

Gabrielle got on horseback as if she had had two years in the riding school We went along the streets at a walking pace, but as soon as ere in the open country we broke into a furious gallop, and kept it up till we got to Barnet, where we stopped to breakfast We had done the journey in twenty-five h the distance is nearly ten lish horses are wonderfully swift, and ere all of us wellI adored the the, who should arrive but Lord Pembroke He was on his way to St Alban's He stopped his horse, and adnizing theed leave to pay his court to thenized the if I loved Hippolyta I guessed his ood,” said he; ”may I come and see you?”

”Certainly,” I replied

After a friendly hand-shake we set out once more, and were soon back in London

Gabrielle was done up and went to bed directly; she slept on till the nexther peaceful sleep, and when she awoke and found herself in an to philosophise

”How easy it is,” said she, ”to be happy when one is rich, and how sad it is to see happiness out of one's reach for lack of a little s, and why should I not be as happy all ree that my life should be short provided that it should be a happy one”

I, too, philosophised, but my reflections were soan to meditate a journey to Lisbon If ht have held me in their silken fetters to the end of my days It seemed to me as if I loved them more like a father than a lover, and the fact that I slept with them only added to the tenderness of the tie I looked into Gabrielle's eyes, and there I saw but love How could such a love exist in her unless she were naturally virtuous, and yet devoid of those prejudices which are instilled into us in our early years

The next day Pehted hihter as he did not want to pay till after the event, and she would not aduineas before he left, and she accepted it with race The day after he wrote her a letter, of which I shall speak presently

A few one thean eloquent tribute tokindness towards her fa proposal:

”As I feel sure that you have all the love of a father for hters, I wish you to become their father in reality! I offer you my hand and heart; become my husband, you will be their father, their lord and mine

What do you say to this?”

I bithter Nevertheless, the anation which this unparalleled piece of iht me to myself I perceived that this consummate hypocrite had counted on an abrupt refusal, and had onlyhters as I had found then of my tender and fatherly affection