affection which surrounded me, which watched me, which catered
to my pleasure, and knew my thoughts before they were spoken.
We were both grown suddenly older than our years, Mr. Thorold
and I; the coming changes and chances in our lives brought us
to life's reality at once.

One ride besides we had; that was all. Except one other
experience; which was afterwards precious to me beyond price.

As it became known that Dr. Sandford's illness was persistent
and not dangerous, and that I was in consequence leading a
(supposed) bitterly dull life; it naturally happened that our
acquaintances began to come round us again; and invitations to
this or that entertainment came pouring upon me. I generally
refused; but once thought it, best, as a blind to Mrs.
Sandford, to accept an invitation to ride. Mrs. Sandford as
before demurred, but would not object.

"Who is it this time, Daisy?" she asked.

I named Major Fairbairn; luckily also an officer whom I had
known the last summer at West Point.

"Nothing but officers!" she remarked in a dubious tone. "Not
much else to be had here."

"And nothing much better anywhere," I said, "when, one is
going on horseback. They know how to ride."

"All Southerners know that. By the way, Daisy, I have heard