She bought at this time the fiercest but most beautiful beast of a horse she had ever mounted.

The creature was superbly handsome, but apparently so unconquerable and so savage that her grooms were afraid to approach it, and indeed it could not be saddled and bitted unless she herself stood near.

Even the horse-dealer, rogue though he was, had sold it to her with some approach to a qualm of conscience, having confessed to her that it had killed two grooms, and been sentenced to be shot by its first owner, and was still living only because its great beauty had led him to hesitate for a few days.

It was by chance that during these few days Lady Dunstanwolde heard of it, and going to see it, desired and bought it at once.
"It is the very beast I want," she said, with a gleam in her eye.

"It will please me to teach it that there is one stronger than itself." She had much use for her loaded riding-whip; and indeed, not finding it heavy enough, ordered one made which was heavier.