If I had waited much longer she would have seen a similar display of realism on mine. But I went back and sat the interval out, and listened critically to the classical selection of chamber-music from the orchestra, and saw the rest of the play, though I have no notion how it ended. All that night my heart was slowly consumed by a dull rage that grew with every sleepless hour; but the object of my resentment was not Diana. She had only done what as a woman she was amply justified in doing after the pointed slight I had apparently inflicted upon her. Her punishment was sufficient already, for, of course, I guessed that she had only accepted the Colonel under the first intolerable sting of desertion. No: I reserved all my wrath for Brutus, who had betrayed me at the moment of triumph. I planned revenge. Cost what it might I would ride him once more. In the eyes of the law I was his master. I would exercise my legal rights to the full. The afternoon came at last. I was in a white heat of anger, though as I ascended to the saddle there were bystanders who put a more uncharitable construction upon my complexion. Brutus cast an uneasy eye at my heels as we started: 'What are those things you've got on?' he inquired. 'Spurs,' I replied curtly. 'You shouldn't wear them till you have learnt to turn your toes in,' he said. 'And a whip, too! May I ask what that is for?' 'We will discuss that presently,' I said very coldly; for I did not want to have a scene with my horse in the street. When we came round by the statue of Achilles and on to the Ride, I shortened my reins, and got a better hold of the whip, while I found that, from some cause I cannot explain, the roof of my mouth grew uncomfortably dry. 'I should be glad of a little quiet talk with you, if you've no objection,' I began. 'I am quite at your disposal,' he said, champing his bit with a touch of irony. 'First, let me tell you,' I said, 'that I have lost my only love for ever.' 'Well,' he retorted flippantly, 'you won't die of it. So have I. We must endeavour to console one another!' I still maintained a deadly calm. 'You seem unaware that you are the sole cause of my calamity,' I said. 'Had you only consented to face Wild Rose yesterday, I should have been a happy man by this time!' 'How was I to know that, when you let me think all your affections were given to the elderly thing who is trotted out by my friend the grey?' 'We won't argue, please,' I said hastily. 'It is enough that your infernal egotism and self-will have ruined my happiness. I have allowed you to usurp the rule, to reverse our natural positions. I shall do so no more. I intend to teach you a lesson you will never forget.' For a horse, he certainly had a keen sense of humour. I thought the girths would have snapped. 'And when do you intend to begin?' he asked, as soon as he could speak.