Indeed, he was now giving his whole attention to
the broken girth, and she could only await the result of his examination.
"I think I can mend it with a strap from my bridle so that it will hold
until you reach home," he said; "but I am sorry to say that I cannot make
it very secure. Will you hold your horse a moment?"
"I am indebted to Mr. Clifford, I think," she began, hesitatingly.
"I am Mr. Clifford, and, believe me, I am wholly at your service. If you
had not been so good a horsewoman you might have met with a very serious
accident."
"More thanks are due to you, I imagine," she replied; "though I suppose I
could have got off in some way."
"There would have been no trouble in your getting off," he said, with one
of his frank, contagious smiles; "but then your horse might have run
away, or you would have had to lead him some distance, at least. Perhaps
it was well that the girth gave way when it did, for it would have broken
in a few moments more, in any event. Therefore I hope you will tolerate
one not wholly unknown to you, and permit me to be of service."
"Indeed, I have only cause for thanks. I have interfered with your ride,
and am putting you to trouble."
"I was only riding for pleasure, and as yet you have had all the
trouble."
She did not look excessively annoyed, and in truth was enjoying the
adventure quite as much as he was, but she only said: "You have the
finest horse there I ever saw.
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