cover of the wood and torture myself trebly, but it was now blank, shut
fast. Sitting bolt upright, panting on horseback in the yellow green of
one of the open woodways, I saw the young officer raise a branch of
chestnut and come out. He walked moodily up to within a yard of my
horse, looked up at me, and with an angry stare that grew to be one of
astonishment, said, 'Ah? I think I have had the pleasure--somewhere? in
Wurtemberg, if I recollect.'

It was Prince Otto. I dismounted. He stood alone. The spontaneous
question on my lips would have been 'Where is she?' but I was unable to
speak a word.

'English?' he said, patting the horse's neck.

'Yes--the horse? an English hunter. How are you, Prince Otto? Do you
like the look of him?'

'Immensely. You know we have a passion for English thoroughbreds.
Pardon me, you look as if you had been close on a sunstroke. Do you
generally take rides in this weather?'

'I was out by chance. If you like him, pray take him; take him. Mount
him and try him. He is yours if you care to have him; if he doesn't suit
you send him up to Count Fretzel's. I've had riding enough in the
light.'

'Perhaps you have,' said he, and hesitated. 'It's difficult to resist
the offer of such a horse. If you want to dispose of him, mention it
when we meet again. Shall I try him? I have a slight inclination to go
as hard as you have been going, but he shall have good grooming in the