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to think it rather hard upon the mare to have such double duty;
if she were forgotten, the poor mare should be remembered
Her feelings for one and the other were soon a little tranquillised
by seeing the party in the meadow disperse, and Miss Crawford still
on horseback, but attended by Edmund on foot, pass through a
gate into the lane, and so into the park, and make towards the spot
where she stoodShe began then to be afraid of appearing rude and
impatient; and walked to meet them with a great anxiety to avoid
the suspicion
?My dear Miss Price,? said Miss Crawford, as soon as she was at
all within hearing, ?I am come to make my own apologies for keeping
you waiting; but I have nothing in the world to say for myself?
I knew it was very late, and that I was behaving extremely ill; and
therefore, if you please, you must forgive meSelfishness must always
be forgiven, you know, because there is no hope of a cure
Fanny?s answer was extremely civil, and Edmund added his conviction
that she could be in no hurry?For there is more than time
enough for my cousin to ride twice as far as she ever goes,? said he,
?and you have been promoting her comfort by preventing her from
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setting off half an hour sooner: clouds are now coming up, and she
will not suffer from the heat as she would have done thenI wish
you may not be fatigued by so much exerciseI 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 answ
