"Lord forgive us, cinders, ashes, dust," I quoted.

We were spanking round the Park behind Ready and Rhino. Miss
Phaeton's horses are very large; her groom is very small, and her
courage is indomitable. I am no great hand at driving myself,
and I am not always quite comfortable. Moreover, the stricter
part of my acquaintance consider, I believe, that Miss Phaeton's
attentions to me are somewhat pronounced, and that I ought not to
drive with her in the Park.

"You're right," she went on. "What a girl wants is a good house
and lots of cash, and some ridin' and a little huntin' and--"

"A few g's!'" I cried in shuddering entreaty. "If you love me,
a g' or two."

"Well, I suppose so," said she. "You can't go ridin' without
gees, can you?"

Apparently one could go driving without any, but I did not pursue
the subject.

"It's only in stories that people are in love when they marry,"
observed Miss Phaeton reflectively.

"Yes, and then it's generally with somebody else," said I.

"Oh, if you count that!" said she, hitting Ready rather
viciously. We bounded forward, and I heard the little groom