_Alain._ Yes, sir. [_Aside._] There'll be work for the Doctor to-day. [_Exit._ _Bev._ [_Aside._] Good. _Man._ Pray do not fear, Madame, I have been used to restive horses. I'll just make his acquaintance now, and if I can succeed in gaining a small portion of his esteem, I will do myself the honor of riding him daily until he is fit for your daughter's use. _Des._ [_To BEVANNES._] What the devil made you mention that confounded animal? You don't like the new steward, eh? _Bev._ Not particularly. _Des._ He's good looking. _Bev._ Inconveniently. _Des._ And you want his neck broken? _Bev._ No. But I should like his nose put out of joint. _Mad. L._ I do not think I ought to permit this. [_Noise below the terrace._ _Enter ALAIN._ _Alain._ The horse is ready, sir. _Bev._ I will lend you a pair of my spurs. Alain, get my spurs as you go down. _Alain._ Very well, sir. [_Exit._ _Mad. L._ Let me entreat you, sir. _Man._ I do assure you, there is nothing to fear. With your good wishes I am certain of success. [_Exit down steps._ _Des._ [_On a terrace._] Why, here are all the servants and grooms. Quite an assemblage. _Noise--Cries of_ "Hold him," "Quiet, sir," "Out of the way," "Stand clear," &c.--_Enter LADIES and MLLE HELOUIN._ _Des._ A nice, quiet animal. [_Leans over._] Manuel, my dear boy. Sir! if you break your leg, you may mend it yourself--I won't. _Bev._ [_On a sofa._] Doctor, report progress. [_Aside._] I'll bet a thousand francs he doesn't even mount him. _Mar._ [_Who has overheard him._] I'll take that bet, sir. _Bev._ Eh? oh! as you please Mademoiselle. _Des._ By the Lord, he's up! [_Noise as before--then shout._ _Bev._ In the air? _Des._ No, in the saddle. [_Noise again._] Ah, he's off! _Bev._ Off the horse? _Des._ No; off on a gallop. [_Noise gets more distant._] Egad! they're all scampering after him. What's he doing now? The ditch! take care! _Mad. L._ He'll be killed. _Mad. A._ Oh! oh! [_Weeps._ _Mar._ The horse can never do it. [_Shouts distant._ _Des._ Ah! he's-- _Bev._ In it? _Des._ No, _over_ it! Back again! [_Shouts distant._] Here he comes. Egad! Black Harry's had enough of it. [_Shouts approach nearer._ _Mar._ [_Aside._] There's some mystery about this man. He has hardly arrived, when all eyes seem turned to him. There certainly _is_ a mystery. _Mlle H._ It will be cleared up, Mademoiselle. _Enter ALAIN._ _Mar._ What do you mean? _Mlle H._ Hush! _Alain._ [_To BEVANNES._] Your spurs, sir. _Bev._ Oh! I hope they assisted him. _Alain._ Didn't want 'em sir.