The pretty, graceful mare was calm in a
moment and arched her neck contentedly under the stroke of Shirley's
hand.
"Beautiful! The picture is even more perfect, Mademoiselle!"
"Fanny is best in action, and splendid when she runs away. She hasn't run
away to-day, but I think she is likely to before I get home."
She was thinking of the long ride which she had no intention of taking in
Chauvenet's company. He stood uncovered beside her, holding his horse.
"But the danger, Mademoiselle! You should not hazard your life with a
runaway horse on these roads. It is not fair to your friends."
"You are a conservative, Monsieur. I should be ashamed to have a runaway
in a city park, but what does one come to the country for?"
"What, indeed, but for excitement? You are not of those tame young women
across the sea who come out into the world from a convent, frightened at
all they see and whisper 'Yes, Sister,' 'No, Sister,' to everything they
hear."
"Yes; we Americans are deficient in shyness and humility. I have often
heard it remarked, Monsieur Chauvenet."
"No! No! You misunderstand! Those deficiencies, as you term them, are
delightful; they are what give the charm to the American woman.
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