34 IN THE BIDING-SCHOOL. 



#«si^ 



in. 



Up into the saddle, 

 Lithe and light, vaulting she perched. 



Hayne. 



ND you still think, Esmeralda, that 

 three lessons will be enough to make 

 you a horse woman, and that by 

 next Monday you will be able to join 

 the road party, and witch the world with your 

 accomplishments ? 



Very well, array yourself for conquest and 

 come to the school. Talk is cheap, according 

 to a proverb more common than elegant ; but it 

 is sinful to waste the cheapest of things. While 

 you dress, you will meditate upon the sensation 

 which it is your intention to make in the ring, 

 and upon the humiliation which you will heap 

 upon your riding master by showing wonderful 

 ability to rise in the saddle. Although not quite 

 ready to assert ability to ride hour after hour like 

 a mounted policeman, you feel certain that you 

 could ride as gracefully as he, and perhaps you 

 are right, for official position does not confer 



