"No," said Harriet, "I wish to go quietly for the sake of my little friend here; so let every one get out of my way, and will you tell Charles to send my groom on with my horse?" As she spoke, she touched the horses, and swept out of the gates. She was silent for a short time, and then said as with a sigh, as if to herself, "Bless me, I called him George." "I am so much obliged to you," said Margaret after a pause, "now I shall quite enjoy this day's pleasure." Harriet laughed, and drove on as fast as she could. "So shall I," she said; "my horse will be as fresh as a lark when we get to the course; and these horses are worth driving. George--Mr. Gage, I mean, knows how to buy a horse." "Suppose," said Margaret, "they were to run away." "Then we should get to S---- all the faster," said Harriet. "But you have not strength to stop them," said Margaret. "Granted," said Harriet. "Here, will you take the reins for a moment?" "Good gracious!" exclaimed Margaret looking up into her companion's face. "I know where George keeps his cigars. I am going to take one, that's all." Margaret looked aghast. "They are perfectly quiet, on my word," said Harriet. "Oh! about the smoking. Do you mind it then?" "No," returned Margaret, who had never been in company with any one while smoking. "I'll take the reins; but pray be quick." Harriet was quick; before Margaret had time to be frightened, she had lit a cigar, and resumed the reins with all the unconcern in the world. "I learned this at Madrid," she said from between her teeth. "Some day, if you please me, I'll tell you my history." "All of it?" asked Margaret, looking up into her companion's face. "Oh, yes! no half measures," returned Harriet. They went to S---- by a cross-country road, and therefore fell in with very few of those who were likewise bound for the course. And by those few, Harriet, with her hat and habit, her short hair and cigar, was supposed as she whirled past them, to be a handsome boy. Mr. Gage was already on the course with his party; he rode up with his brother and Mr. Haveloc to escort the ladies to the stand. Harriet had her horse brought up to the steps of the carriage, mounted at once, and rode off with Mr. Conway; and Hubert insisted on conducting Margaret to Elizabeth pleading his sister's commands to that effect. And now they were seated in the very front of the stand, Elizabeth and Margaret together; the gentlemen of their party were dispersed about the course, and Margaret could distinguish in the distance the slight figure of Harriet Conway, guiding her spirited horse among the company, followed by her father and brother. She soon, however, lost sight of her in the crowd, and began to feel impatient for the first race to begin.