It was Fanny. Charles lifted his hat courteously but indifferently to Miss Neville's almost friendly greeting, and watched her furtively as she gazed over the lake. What would she think of Vavasour's attentions to his brother's wife? Now she would find out that he could be as devoted to other women; could guide another's footsteps over the ice just as carefully as he had directed and picked her way for her over the snow; but whatever Amy thought she looked calm and unconcerned as she turned round and desired Fanny not to go so near the horse's feet. Charles assured her the horse was quiet enough; he had never known him indulge in the vicious propensity of kicking. "He might disappoint you this time," suggested Julia, "and prove treacherous, there is no certainty about it." "He might, but he will not," was the reply, "not that I place such implicit reliance in him as I would in Bob; a look is enough for him." "I would not trust either of them," said Julia, "I have seen Bob's teeth, and heard his growl; and as for the horse, why it was as much as you could do to mount him yesterday, when you went out with Frances. I heard Mr. Hall say he would not insure your life for a pound." "My thanks to Hall for his kind consideration in valuing my neck at so cheap a rate. Just assure him the next time you see him that I have not the very remotest idea of having it broken yet." "He has not the very remotest idea of riding," laughed Julia; "only imagine those long legs of his dangling like ribbons on the side of a horse." "Where is Hall? I do not see him among the skaters, though Anne is." "No; he has gone over to see how they are getting on in that wretched little parish of his, and tried hard to persuade Anne and me to go with him, but my sister does not care for looking over churches, even if they were built in the time of Methuselah, and preferred the skating, much to his regret, and I must confess I was not at all sorry to do the same." "Uncle Charles, do take me for a slide, please," pleaded Fanny, again undeterred by timid Edith, pulling at her sleeve and begging her not to go. "I would take you with the greatest pleasure in life, Fanny; but what is to become of my horse?" "Cousin Julia will hold him. Won't you, cousin?" asked the child, flying to her side. "I hold him?" exclaimed Julia. "No, thank you, Fanny, I value my life too well; besides, child, I should be frightened." "Miss Neville will, then, she is so fond of horses," cried Fanny, darting off to where her governess stood. "A fruitless errand," muttered Charles, turning on his heels, "she has not a grain of courage. I wish she had." But as if to shame him for this assertion, or to gratify his wish, when he looked up, there stood the governess. "I shall be happy to hold your horse for you, Mr. Linchmore," she said, while Fanny clapped her hands and capered about with delight. "You, Miss Neville!" he repeated incredulously. "Impossible!"