c6 . RIDING FOR LADIES. 



a brisk pace, for we were a trifle behind time. From the 

 moment that we settled in our saddles, until we saw the 

 tails of the " beauties " in full wag at the entrance to^ Capt. 

 Davis's demesne, that girl never for an instant removed her 

 left hand from her thigh — (pardon plain speaking ; it was 

 neither on her hip nor her knee that she placed it when 

 we started), the fingers pointing in the direction of the up- 

 pommel, causing, of course, the elbow to be shot out entirely 

 from the side, the joint turning outwards in singularly ugly 

 fashion. Should any of my readers have a desire to picture 

 to themselves this position, with more clearness than words 

 — or lack of them — have enabled me to depict it, they 

 have only to seat themselves for a moment upon a make- 

 believe horse, and adopt the pose which I have just de- 

 scribed. I wish they would do it ; it would be an excellent 

 future warning. As I had a tolerably close acquaintance 

 with the young lady — who had, I was aware, been taught 

 by a really first-rate master — I ventured upon asking her 

 whether the peculiarity on which she seemed to pride her- 

 self had met with his approval ? 



" Oh, dear, no ! " she replied. " Old Prosey liked me to 

 put both hands to the bridle, or if only one, the left ; but I 

 like this style myself ; it's so chic!" 



I was not her teacher, nor did she inquire my opinion, — 

 in fact she would in all probability have dubbed me " Old 

 Prosey " also, had I offered one ; so I wisely kept silent — 

 and no doubt my companion believed that I was admiring 

 her original attitude very much, for she rather intensified it 

 as we proceeded, and took care to canter m advafice of me, 



