Having had her fit of temper, she was, to all appearance, going to be fairly good for the rest of the day, and looked splendid. She was a large mare, nearly thoroughbred, but with more bone than usual for her breeding, which she carried triumphantly--an animal most men would have been pleased to possess--and proud to ride. Florimel came to the door to see her, accompanied by Liftore, and was so delighted with the very sight of her that she sent at once to the stables for her own horse, that she might ride out attended by Malcolm. His lordship also ordered his horse. They went straight to Rotten Row for a little gallop, and Kelpie was behaving very well for her. “What _did_ you have two such savages, horse and groom both, up from Scotland for, Florimel?” asked his lordship, as they cantered gently along the Row, Kelpie coming sideways after them, as if she would fain alter the pairing of her legs. Florimel turned and cast an admiring glance on the two. “Do you know I am rather proud of them,” she said. “He’s a clumsy fellow, the groom; and for the mare, she’s downright wicked,” said Liftore. “At least neither is a hypocrite,” returned Florimel, with Malcolm’s account of his quarrel with the factor in her mind. “The mare is just as wicked as she looks, and the man as good. Believe me, my lord, that man you call a savage never told a lie in his life!” As she spoke she looked him hard in the face--with her father in her eyes. Liftore could not return the look with equal steadiness. It seemed for the moment to be inquiring too curiously. “I know what you mean,” he said. “You don’t believe my professions.” As he spoke he edged his horse close up to hers. “But,” he went on, “if I know that I speak the truth when I swear that I love every breath of wind that has but touched your dress as it passed, that I would die gladly for one loving touch of your hand--why should you not let me ease my heart by saying so? Florimel, my life has been a different thing from the moment I saw you first. It has grown precious to me since I saw that it might be --Confound the fellow! what’s he about now with his horse-devil?”