@@@@@I wish you had saved yourself this walk
@@@@@I wish you had saved
yourself this walk home
“No part of it fatigues me but getting off this horse, I assure you,”
said she, as she sprang down with his help; “I am very strongNothing
ever fatigues me but doing what I do not likeMiss Price, I give
way to you with a very bad grace; but I sincerely hope you will have
a pleasant ride, and that I may have nothing but good to hear of this
dear, delightful, beautiful animal
The old coachman, who had been waiting about with his own
horse, now joining them, Fanny was lifted on hers, and they set off
across another part of the park; her feelings of discomfort not lightened
by seeing, as she looked back, that the others were walking
down the hill together to the village; nor did her attendant do her
much good by his comments on Miss Crawford’s great cleverness as
a horse-woman, which he had been watching with an interest almost
equal to her own
“It is a pleasure to see a lady with such a good heart for riding!”
said he“I never see one sit a horse betterShe did not seem to have
a thought of fearVery different from you, miss, when you first
began, six years ago come next EasterLord bless you! how you did
tremble when Sir Thomas first had you put on!”
In the drawing-room Miss Crawford was also celebratedHer merit
in being gifted by Nature with strength and courage was fully appreciated
by the Miss Bertrams; her delight in riding was like their
own; her early excellence in it was like their own, and they had great
pleasure in praising it
“I was sure she would ride well,” said Julia; “she has the make for
itHer figure is as neat as her brother’s
“Yes,” added Maria, “and her spirits are as good, and she has the
same energy of characterI cannot but think that good horsemanship
has a great deal to do with the mind
When they parted at night Edmund asked Fanny whether she
meant to ride the next day
“No, I do not know—not if you want the mare,” was her answer
“I do not want her at all for myself,” said he; “‘but whenever you
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Jane Austen
are next inclined to stay at home, I think Miss Crawford would be
glad to have her a longer time—for a whole morning, in shortShe
has a great desire to get as far as Mansfield Common: MrsGrant
has been telling her of its fine views, and I have no doubt of her
being perfectly equal to itBut any morning will do for thisShe
would be extremely sorry to interfere with youIt would be very
wrong if she didShe rides only for pleasure; you for health
“I shall not ride to-morrow, certainly,” said Fanny; “I have been out
very often lately, and would rather stay at