If you would let me lift you to the saddle--' 'Oh, gladly!' she answered, with a little laugh of pleasure.
And it was done.

For a moment he held her, for a moment felt the warmth and softness of her flesh; then she sat sideways upon the horse, looking down at Marcian with startled gaiety.

He showed her how to hold the reins, and the horse went gently forward.
'It makes me a child again,' she exclaimed.

'I have never ridden since I was a little girl, when my father--' Her voice died away; her look was averted, and Marcian, remembering the shame that mingled with her memories, began to talk of other things.
By a path that circled the villa, they came to a little wood of ilex, which shadowed the brink of the larger cataract.

Marcian had bidden Veranilda's woman follow them, but as they entered the wood, his companion looking eagerly before her, he turned and made a gesture of dismissal, which the servant at once obeyed.