Little cousin, you have brought me luck, so if my uncle will
permit me I am going to teach you to ride a horse."
"My goodness!" said Madame Darbois, "still more anxiety for us!"
But Esperance clasped her hands with delight.
The first riding lessons were a source of new joy for Esperance.
Maurice was an excellent rider, and his passion for horses had made
him expert in handling them. He had chosen a horse for his cousin from
a stable in the Cotes-du-Nord, the private stable of the Count Marcus
de Treilles, the horse had been secured at a bargain on account of
some blemishes of his coat. He was very gentle, however, and the
Darbois soon felt confidence in him. Doctor Potain had recommended a
great deal of physical exercise for the patient, to counteract the
excess of mental work which had weakened her heart.
"Riding, fishing, walking, tennis," the great specialist had said to
Francois Darbois, "will be the best thing for your daughter, and,"
pressing his hand, "let her get married as soon as possible."
Long excursions about the little island became for Esperance the most
delightful part of their country life. Very often M. and Madame
Darbois, Mlle. Frahender and Genevieve Hardouin would follow in the
brake. They carried their lunch with them and ate it sometimes in the
little wood of Loret, sometimes on the cliffs amidst the broom, furze
and asters with their golden flowers and silver foliage.
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