forward. The hill was getting very near.

He reached over and wound his right arm about her slender waist.
"Now!" he said sharply.

For a second the Countess hung in the air between the plunging horses;
then the bay shot ahead alone--and she rested safely across De Lacy's
saddle, his arms about her and hers about his neck.

Of his own accord the black had instantly slackened speed, and now at
the word he stopped, and the Countess dropped lightly to the ground.

"How can I ever thank you?" she said, giving Sir Aymer her hand.

"By not trying to," he answered, dismounting and kissing her fingers
almost reverently. "Fortune has already blessed me over much."

She turned to Selim, who was standing quietly beside his master.

"I may at least thank you, you beauty," she said, and kissed his soft
black muzzle.

De Lacy smiled. "Never before have I wished I were a horse," he said.

A bit of color flashed into her cheeks and she busied herself in
twisting into place a roll of ruddy hair that had been shaken from its
fastenings. It took an unusual time, it seemed, and just as she
finished Sir James Dacre rode up.

"I claim a share in the rescue," he said gayly, and gave the Countess