They were just seating themselves at the breakfast table, and her
aunt was already in her place. Lady Chiltern had come into the room
with herself, and at the door had spoken some good-natured words of
surprise. "I did not know that you were a sportswoman, Miss
Trefoil." "I do ride a little when I am well mounted," Arabella had
said as she entered the room. Then she collected herself, and
arranged her countenance, and endeavoured to look as though she
were doing the most ordinary thing in the world. She went round the
room and kissed her aunt's brow. This she had not done on any other
morning; but then on other mornings she had been late. "Are you
going to ride?" said the Duchess.
"I believe so, aunt."
"Who is giving you a horse?"
"Lord Rufford is lending me one. I don't think even his good-nature
will extend to giving away so perfect an animal. I know him well
for I rode him when I was at Rufford." This she said so that all
the room should hear her.
"You need not be afraid, Duchess," said Lord Rufford. "He is quite
safe"
"And his name is Jack," said Arabella laughing as she took her
place with a little air of triumph. "Lord Rufford offered to let me
have him all the time I was here, but I didn't know whether you
would take me in so attended."
There was not one who heard her who did not feel that she spoke as
though Lord Rufford were all her own.
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