290 EACECOUESE AND COVEET SIDE. 



therefore have been estiniable in the highest 

 degree. 



'« Why," my interesting informant continues, 

 ''I've often had the king in the morning when 

 we were practising in the ring, with the whip 

 in his hand — yes, and the princes holding gates 

 for my wife to jump." 



" I've not the least doabt she jumped them 

 very admirably," I reply, and my companion 

 more than admits it. 



" Jump, sir ? " he says. " I'd give a thousand 

 pounds to any lady that would follow my wife. 

 There ! and that one's coming near up to her," 

 he goes on, as we emerge from the stables and 

 enter the body of the hall. 



" Your daughter, isn't it ? Good-looking 

 horse that chestnut. Does she usually ride 

 it ? " I ask. 



" Never been on it before, and it's never 

 carried a lady, either," he answers, as we 

 approach the ring, where the young lady, on a 

 compact little chestnut, is riding over some poles 

 held to the sides of the enclosure. 



" Don't let his head loose, my dear ! Hold 

 him up and make him look like something. 

 That's it ! Where's the gate ? " 



A gate with three bars is brought into the 

 ring, and over it the little horse bounds. 



