Shecanteredforwardasshespoke,andGrantwasobligedtojoinhersister,who,mountedonapowerfulroan,wasmischievouslyexcitingabeautifulquaker-coloredmustangriddenbyMrs.Ashwood,alreadyirritatedbytheunfamiliarpressureoftheEasternwoman\'shanduponhisbit.Thethickdustwhichhadforcedthepartyoftwentytocloseupintwosolidfilesacrosstheroadcompelledthematthefirstopeningintheroadsidefencetotakethefieldinastragglinggallop.Grant,eagertoescapefromhisowndiscontentedselfbydoingsomethingforothers,reinedinbesideEuphemiaandthefairstranger.
\"LetmetakeyourplaceuntilMrs.Ashwood\'shorseisquieted,\"hehalfwhisperedtoEuphemia.
\"Thankyou,——andIsupposeitdoesnotmakeanymattertoClemwhoquietsmine,\"shesaid,withprovokingeyesandatossofherheadworthyofthespiritedanimalshewasriding.
\"Shethinksyouquitecapableofmanagingyourselfandevenothers,\"herepliedwithaplayfulglanceatShipley,whowasridingsomewhatstifflyontheotherside.
\"Don\'tbetoosure,\"retortedPhemiewithanotherdangerouslook;