possible - but you have a will of your own. All you
Southerners have, I think."

I replied that I was a Northerner; and the talk went to other
things. Mrs. Sandford left me with a kiss and the injunction
to take care of myself. I was very glad to get off so, for she
looked a little unsatisfied. My way was clear now. I dressed
with a bounding heart, mounted, and was away with Mr. Thorold;
feeling beneath all my gladness that now was my time and my
only time for doing all the difficult work I had set myself.
But gladness was uppermost, as I found myself in the saddle
and away, with Mr. Thorold by my side; - for once free and
alone together; - gladness that kept us both still I think;
for we exchanged few words till we were clear of the city and
out upon the open country. There we slackened bridle, and I
began to feel that the minutes were exceedingly precious. I
dreaded lest some words of Christian's should make it
impossible for me to do what I had to do.

"Christian," I began, "I have things to talk to you about."

"Well," said he brightly, "you shall. Will it take a great
while, Daisy? Because I have things to talk to _you_ about."

"Not a great while, I hope," I said, almost stammering.

"You shall talk what you will, darling. But wait till we get a
better place."

I would have liked the place where we were, and the time.