"Lord Lufton wants me to learn to ride," said she.
"To learn to ride!" said Fanny, not knowing what answer to make to such a proposition.
"Yes," said he.

"This horse would carry her beautifully: he is as quiet as a lamb, and I made Gregory go out with him yesterday with a sheet hanging over him like a lady's habit, and the man got up into a lady's saddle." "I think Gregory would make a better hand of it than Lucy." "The horse cantered with him as though he had carried a lady all his life, and his mouth is like velvet; indeed, that is his fault--he is too soft-mouthed." "I suppose that's the same sort of thing as a man being soft-hearted," said Lucy.
"Exactly: you ought to ride them both with a very light hand.

They are difficult cattle to manage, but very pleasant when you know how to do it." "But you see I don't know how to do it," said Lucy.
"As regards the horse, you will learn in two days, and I do hope you will try.

Don't you think it will be an excellent thing for her, Mrs.
Robarts ?" "Lucy has got no habit," said Mrs.Robarts, making use of the excuse common on all such occasions.
"There is one of Justinia's in the house, I know.

She always leaves one here, in order that she may be able to ride when she comes." "She would not think of taking such a liberty with Lady Meredith's things," said Fanny, almost frightened at the proposal.
"Of course it is out of the question, Fanny," said Lucy, now speaking rather seriously.