"It must be trying to have a friend who believes so little in one as you do in Ideala," I answered. "Oh, how exasperating you are!" Claudia exclaimed. "You know what I mean quite well enough." Later, Ideala wrote: "You are anxious about my health. The fact is, I have developed a most extraordinary talent for taking cold. I went by train to see the museum in the city the other day. I took off my cloak while I was there, and stayed an hour, and when I came away, the antiquary, who knew I was a precious specimen, wrapped me up carefully himself. Nevertheless I caught cold. Then I went to stay with some people near here who clamoured much for the pleasure of my company. They live in a palace and are entertaining. The lady's papa took me in to dinner he first evening. He asked me about Major Gorst, and wanted to know, in an impressive tone of voice, if I had heard that he was the next heir but one to the Hearldom of Cathcourt. "The next day my hostess said to her husband: 'Dearest, do let me ride Oscar,' and he replied: 'No, my darling, I can't till I know he's safe. I must get some one to try him first'--and he looked at me--'Perhaps you wouldn't mind?' "They had never seen me on horseback, and I was longing to distinguish myself. I did distinguish myself. Oscar was a merry horse, but one never knew how he would take things. The first bridge we came to--I was 'sitting easy to a canter' with my foot out of the stirrup and my leg _over_ the third crutch--a bad habit I learnt from a foreign friend--and an express train rushed by. Oscar went on abruptly, but I remained. The next difficulty was at a brook. We ought to have crossed it together; but Oscar changed his mind at the last moment, so he remained and I went on. And after that we came to cross-roads, and had a difference of opinion about which was the right one. That ended in our coming over together, which made me feel solemn--disheartened, in fact--and then I thought we should never understand each other and be friends, so I gave him up. I did not talk much about riding to those people after that. "But I wore my summer habit that day, and of course I caught cold. And when that was nearly well I went downstairs to be civil to some people who had driven a long way to see me. The drawing-room was damp from disuse, and the fire had only just been lighted--and of course I caught cold. When that was better I went for a drive. The wind was east, and the carriage was open--and of course I caught cold. I don't know how it may strike you, but argument seems to me useless when a person has such a constitution." "Can you read between the lines of that letter?" Claudia asked me. "She seems to be dreadfully _don't care_," I said. "Exactly. She is more reckless, and therefore more miserable, than she used to be. I wouldn't live with him." "Ideala won't shirk her duty because it is hard and unpalatable," I answered.