The picnic, which had promised so much, was also a dire failure. In the first place it was a trifle early for a picnic. There was chill in the air, though the sun shone brightly. Blue Bonnet ate her sandwiches and talked to Knight merrily; but never once did her glance meet Alec's, or her conversation lead in his direction. As the party reached town and the girls took their respective roads home, Blue Bonnet found herself for the first time alone with Alec. Knight had gone ahead with Kitty and Amanda. Alec drew up beside her and for a moment they rode in silence. "Were you hurt, Blue Bonnet?" he asked. "Not in the least, thank you," she replied indifferently. "I hope you aren't going to be angry. I did exactly what I would have done to Victor, or any other beast that acted that way." "We'll drop the matter," Blue Bonnet said coolly. "But there's one thing--I hope you won't feel it your duty to tell Aunt Lucinda about what happened and spoil my vacation. It would put a ban on Chula forever more. My falling was my own fault; not hers. I slipped off in preference to--perhaps--being dragged." All at once the light began to dawn upon Alec. He remembered the fear that had so long obsessed Blue Bonnet; the fear of being dragged. The horses were walking now, and Alec leaned over and put his hand on the pummel of Chula's saddle; presently it slipped down in a caress on the mare's shoulder. "I beg your pardon, Chula girl," he said. "I was pretty hard on you, wasn't I? Are you ready to forgive me?" And whether it was because at that moment Mrs. Clyde's comfortable barn hove in sight, or in response to Alec's pleading, Chula gave a low whinny, and her mistress, looking into Alec's face which was lifted for her approval, smiled. CHAPTER XVIII KITTY'S COTILLION "That was plucky--Blue Bonnet's riding the mare home yesterday," Alec remarked at the breakfast-table next morning. "What was that?" asked the General. Alec explained. "It was plucky," Knight remarked. "She's a true Texan, all right. What got into the mare? Only playing, wasn't she?" "I suppose she was," Alec answered, deep in thought. "But it was a serious business, just the same. When Blue Bonnet fell I scarcely knew whether I'd pick her up whole. Not having a scratch is marvelous." "She says she has a guardian angel," Knight said, laughing. "Jove, she must have. Only a kind and interested fate saved her yesterday. Well, what's the program to-day?" Alec came out of his reverie. "To-day? Nothing in particular. There's the party at the Clarks' to-night. Blue Bonnet's honor, I believe--and yours." "I'm at the young ladies' disposal," Knight said. It was late afternoon when Alec, coming in with Knight from a ride, suggested a call at Mrs. Clyde's. "This is about the tea hour," he said. "I'm not particularly long on tea, but I must pay my respects to Miss Clyde and her mother."