I scarcely know what happened, or how it was accomplished--only I had the reins gripped in my teeth, both my hands free.

That instant I caught her; the next she was on my arm, swung safely to the saddle, held to me with a grip of steel, the animal dashing forward beneath his double burden into the open field.
Then the Dragoon, riding madly, gripped the bit, and the affair was over, although we must have galloped a hundred yards before the trembling horse was brought to a stand.

Leaving him to the control of the soldier, I sprang to the ground, bearing the lady with me.

We were behind one of the pavilions, facing the house, and she reeled as her feet touched the earth, so that I held her from falling.

Then her lashes lifted, and the dark blue eyes looked into my face.
"You must pardon my roughness," I apologized, "but there was no time for ceremony." She smiled, a flood of color coming back into the clear cheeks, as she drew slightly away.
"I appreciate that, sir," frankly, shaking out her ruffled skirts, "and you have made knighthood real." "Then," I ventured, "may I hope to receive the reward, fair lady ?" She laughed, a little tremor of nervousness in the sound, but her eyes full of challenge.
"And what is that ?" "Your name; the hope of better acquaintance." Her eyes swept my uniform questioningly.
"You are not of the garrison ?" "No; a courier just arrived from New York." "Yet an officer; surely then you will be present to-night ?" "The privilege is mine; if sufficiently tempted I may attend." "Tempted! How, sir ?" "By your pledging me a dance." She laughed again, one hand grasping the long silken skirt.
"You ask much--my name, a better acquaintance, a dance--all this for merely saving me from a mob.