from any h

@@@@@ "Ne's not lame, just winded and with a weakness," she said"Cool him down slowly and he'll be as good as he ever was, not that he was ever muchI'll give him to you if you'll sell me one of the hunters you keep for the officers at the fortDon't tell me you don't have any, I've hunted with some of the officers, and I know where they rented their mountsChange over this saddle in under five minutes and there's an extra guinea for you By ten after seven she was on her way, with twenty-six miles ahead and directions for a shortcut if she went cross-country instead of following the roadShe rode past Trim Castle and onto the road to Ballyhara at nine o'clockEvery muscle in her body ached, and her bones felt splinteredBut she was only a little over three miles from home, and the misty twilight was gentle and soft on eyes and skinA gentle rain began to fallScarlett leaned forward, patted the horse's neck "A good walk around and rubdown and the best hot mash in Counrv Meath for you, whatever your name is You took those jumps like championNow we'll trot home easy, you deserve the rest half-closed her eyes and let her head lollShe'd sleep tonight she'd never slept beforeNard to believe she'd been in Dublin morning and crossed Ireland twice since breakfastThere was the wooden bridge over the Knightsbrookover the bridge I'm on BallyharaOnly a mile to the town, a mile through it to the crossroad, then up the drive and I've made Five minutes, not much more than thatShe sat up straight, her tongue against her teeth, urged the horse with her heelsBallyhara town's up ahead, and there no lights in the windowsUsually the bars are glowing like by nowScarlett kicked with the heels of her battered, delicate c bootsShe had passed the first five dark houses before she saw group of men at the crossroads in front of the Big house dt? RedcoatsWhat did they think they were doing in her She'd told them before, she didn't want them h