"We have come out to look at your horse," she said.
It could be seen that he was pleased at their attention, and explained that he had ridden a mile or two to try the animal's paces.

"I bought her," he added, with warmth so severely repressed as to seem indifference, "because she has been used to carry a lady." Still Mr.Melbury did not brighten.

Mrs.Melbury said, "And is she quiet ?" Winterborne assured her that there was no doubt of it.

"I took care of that.

She's five-and-twenty, and very clever for her age." "Well, get off and come in," said Melbury, brusquely; and Giles dismounted accordingly.
This event was the concrete result of Winterborne's thoughts during the past week or two.