68 TALES OF PINK AND SILK. 



from the brook, and he was m high glee, for Sir John 

 had given two hundred guineas for his youngster. 



" ' That's a good mare you are on sir,' he goes on, ' but 

 spoilt, I fear.' 



" 'Yes ; if it was not for her fearful temper I should call her 

 a wonder ; but I must part with her, I fear.' 



" ' Don't do that, sir. I overheard someone say that you 

 had bought her to run for the Cup. Now a snaffle bridle and 

 some kind treatment would very likely put her temper right 

 again, and from the way she gallops and jumps it should be 

 a gift for her. She seemed to go kindly enough with you at 

 times.' 



"'Yes, she went well enough with me at times. But I 

 can't be bothered with her. Ah ! happy thought ! I'll tell 

 you what, Maltby : you might do with another horse now Tip 

 Top is going. Will you take and train her for me ? I shall 

 want her to ride with hounds sometimes, but shall leave her 

 education entirely to you.' 



" Maltby agreed, a bargain was soon struck as to terms, and 

 in a few days Lucy Glitters was transferred to some snug 

 quarters at Newington Manor, Great were the strides she 

 made under Maltby's careful and quiet treatment, and many a 

 gallop I enjoyed on her back, with a snaffle bridle in her 

 mouth, and no rowels in my spurs. Her temper was still a 

 bit doubtful, and it was generally best to give everyone a wide 

 berth at the meet, and to take a line of my own with hounds. 

 Her fencing was perfect, and if I let her mouth alone she was 

 not difficult to control ; but once start a pulling match, and 

 you were at her mercy in a moment. 



" After my horrible exhibition on the day of Lucy 

 Glitters' debut Avith Sir John Manby's hounds, I scarcely 

 dared to approach Miss Manby, and gave the Towers a 

 rest from my once frequent visits; the young lady, too, 

 was rather cold and distant for some time, but after a while 



