'Papa, don't you think he ought to ride; it would be much better for him.' "'I do, my dear,' said the dean.

'But then you see he is so hard to be pleased in a horse.

Your old hunting days have spoiled you; but you must forget Melton and Grantham, and condescend to keep a hack.' "I must have looked confoundedly foolish here, for Fanny never took her eyes off me, and continued to laugh in her own wicked way.
"It was now about the ninth or tenth day of my purgatorial performances; and certainly if there be any merit in fleshly mortifications, these religious exercises of mine should stand my part hereafter.

A review had been announced in the Phoenix-park, which Fanny had expressed herself most desirous to witness; and as the dean would not permit her to go without a chaperon, I had no means of escape, and promised to escort her.
No sooner had I made this rash pledge, than I hastened to my confidential friend, Lalouette, and having imparted to him my entire secret, asked him in a solemn and imposing manner, 'Can I do it ?' The old man shook his head dubiously, looked grave, and muttered at length, 'Mosch depend on de horse.' 'I know it--I know it--I feel it,' said I eagerly--'then where are we to find an animal that will carry me peaceably through this awful day--I care not for his price ?' "'Votre affaire ne sera pas trop chere,' said he.
"'Why.

How do you mean ?' said I.
"He then proceeded to inform me, that by a singularly fortunate chance, there took place that day an auction of 'cast horses,' as they are termed, which had been used in the horse police force; and that from long riding, and training to stand fire, nothing could be more suitable than one of these; being both easy to ride, and not given to start at noise.
"I could have almost hugged the old fellow for his happy suggestion, and waited with impatience for three o'clock to come, when we repaired together to Essex-bridge, at that time the place selected for these sales.
"I was at first a little shocked at the look of the animals drawn up; they were most miserably thin--most of them swelled in the legs--few without sore backs--and not one eye, on an average, in every three; but still they were all high steppers, and carried a great tail.