7iV THE HIDING-SCHOOL. 97 



VII. 



Here we are riding, she and I 



Browning 



&• 



[s^JPH AT is it now, Esmeralda ? By your 

 blushing and stammering it is fairly 

 evident that another of your devices 

 for learning on the American plan — 

 that is to say, by not studying — is in full pos- 

 session of your fancy, and that again you ex- 

 pect to become a horsewoman by miracle ; 

 come, what is it ? A music ride ? Nell has an 

 acquaintance who always rides to music, and 

 asserts that it is as easy as dancing ; that the 

 music " fairly lifts you out of the saddle," and 

 that the pleasure of equestrian exercise is 

 doubled when it is done to the sound of the 

 flute, violin and bassoon, or whatever may be 

 the riding-school substitutes ? 



As for lifting you out of the saddle, Esmer- 

 alda, it is quite possible that music might exe- 

 cute that feat, promptly and neatly, once, and 



